The French geologist Henry Gorceix summed up Minas Gerais 150 years ago, when he wrote that the state had “a breast of iron and a heart of gold”. Its hills and mountains contain the richest mineral deposits in Brazil, which led to the area being christened “General Mines”. Mineral wealth still flows from Minas’ hills: We’ll tour the famous imperial topaz, tourmaline, aquamarine and kunzite mines of Minas Gerais, and you will experience their greatest Gem Crystals.