Hello all,
I’m making an impromptu trip to Sao Paulo in a few days, and
wondering if anyone has a reliable wholesale source for stones in
that particular area. I would like to set up some contacts while
there.
Thank you in advance for any any of you in this
wonderful forum can share.
Tess
Tess,
Independence Plaza in Sao Paulo used to have a regular weekend flea
market for minerals and gems. In general, gemstones increase in price
as you distance yourself from their sources. Belo Horizonte is better
place to shop for gems, then Governador Valadares is better yet.
After that, Teofilo Ottoni is still better. But, in my opinion, the
best place of all is Tucson…inspite of the distance from source.
There are probably enough Brazilian rocks in Tucson in February to
cause significant subsidence of the local earth’s crust ( smile )
Ron Mills, Mills Gem Co. Los Osos, Ca.
I am just catching up with the reading of the Orchid Digest.
Independence Plaza in Sao Paulo used to have a regular weekend flea market for minerals and gems.
I think you mean the “Feira” at the Pra=E7a de Republica. It is still
going on - though not a really recommended place to get quality
The wholesale Gemstone trading area in Sao Paulo is nearby, though,
but only runs on regular business hours M-F 10 - 5 p.m.
In general, gemstones increase in price as you distance yourself from their sources. Belo Horizonte is better place to shop for gems, then Governador Valadares is better yet. After that, Teofilo Otoni is still better.
In general this is true, though there are quite a few stone producing
companies in Belo Horizonte who do the cutting and trading right
there in the city, especially true for high-end gemstones (Emeralds,
Aquamarine, Imperial Topaz, high-end Tourmalines).
The lower-end material from these houses gets sent to Teofilo Otoni -
unless a known high-end buyer shows up in Teofilo Otoni and then they
take the better material down for the buyer to see - though most
flights come through Belo Horizonte anyways, so most of these buyers
prefer stopping into the main office in Belo Horizonte on the way down
or back. (It is about 400 kilometers from Belo Horizonte to Teofilo
Otoni)
Between Governador Valadares and Teofilo Otoni, it would be wise to
choose Teofilo Otoni, as the gem stone trading has all basically
shifted to Teofilo Otoni. Most of the dealers from Governador
Valadares now have offices in Teofilo Otoni and spend the week
there, going home on the weekends.
There is still a lot of gem stone cutting in Governador Valadares,
but the trading is all basically in Teofilo Otoni now.
It is only about 100+ kilometers from Governador Valadares to Teofilo
Otoni.
There are two Gem Shows coming up in Teofilo Otoni. The first in
July is a Street Fair kind of show held by the independent Brokers
association.
The main show is 23 ? 27 August with stone houses from Teofilo
Otoni, Governador Valadares, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and Sao
Paulo in a large tent in the middle of the town square as well as
the second stage of the Street Fair show by the independent Brokers
association
But, in my opinion, the best place of all is Tucson..... in spite of the distance from the source.
Probably quite true. Many of the Brazilian stone houses and dealers
have booths in Tucson - The largest concentration is at the GJX and
the Raddison in downtown Tucson. Some moved out to the Starpass
Resort with the GLDA in February 2005 but most jumped ship to the
GJX Annex show which is supposed to be relocated back into the
Raddison for the February 2006 show.
The city of Sao Paulo has one of the highest-end Emerald producers
in Brasil.
With respect to Sao Paulo, if you can get connected with someone who
has an office there - the absolute best time to buy gemstones is on
Friday afternoon from the itinerant brokers.
The brokers from Teofilo Otoni, Governador Valadares, Ouro Preto and
Belo Horizonte have worked their way from home through Belo
Horizonte and Rio and arrive in Sao Paulo and need to sell so that
they can pay for their transportation back home. Cash offers speak
very loudly on Friday afternoon in Sao Paulo.
Anyone wishing to stop by in Sao Paulo, I am at your service to show
you around the wholesale Gemstone trading area.
Best regards,
Robert Lowe
Lowe Associates - Brasil
Gemstones, Rough, Specimens
Tucson - February 1 - 6, 2006 - GJX # 205
e-fax: 1-240-757-6022
e-mail: USA robertplowejr@juno.com
e-mail: Brasil @Robert_P_Lowe_Jr1