647-Carat Brown Diamond Sparks Renewed Interest in Brazil's Mining Potential

A 647-carat rough diamond, recently unearthed from the Douradinho riverbed in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, has been confirmed as the second-largest diamond ever found in the country — and the 25th largest globally. Valued at approximately $3 million, the brown-hued stone has captivated the gem world and reignited interest in the mineral-rich region of Coromandel. (Conceptual graphic is not the actual diamond.)

The discovery, made in late May by artisanal miners working alongside formal mining operations, has caused a wave of excitement in Coromandel, a rural town of 28,000 with a deep-rooted mining heritage.

“Everyone was euphoric,” said a municipal spokesperson. “It’s been a long time since a diamond of this size was discovered. Our land is very rich.”

Brazil, once the world’s top diamond producer from the 18th through mid-19th centuries, now accounts for less than 1% of global diamond output. Most of its production comes from alluvial sources like the Douradinho riverbed. While the country has faded from its historical prominence, major finds such as this offer tantalizing reminders of its latent geological wealth.

This 647-carat diamond ranks second to Brazil's famed 726.6-carat President Vargas diamond, discovered in the same region in 1938.

On a global list, Brazil's new find ranks 25th, just behind the 650-carat "Jubilee" from South Africa and just ahead of the 620-carat "Sefadu" from Sierra Leone.

The find has sparked renewed interest among geologists and industry insiders in the Alto Paranaíba region, particularly Coromandel and neighboring towns like Romaria and Estrela do Sul. Experts believe the area may still harbor untapped deposits capable of producing world-class stones.

According to local news outlet Click Petróleo e Gás, the newly found stone already has been sold to an undisclosed buyer.

For Brazil’s mining community, this discovery isn’t just a financial boon — it’s a symbol of potential yet to be fully realized, buried beneath the riverbeds and hills of one of the country's most storied gemstone regions.

Credit: AI-generated conceptual image of the 647-carat diamond by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL-E 3.