JUDGE RULES U.S, MUST RETURN 'CURSED' $1B EMERALD TO BRAZIL AFTER 23 YEARS. (PHOTO).
Judge rules US must return ‘cursed’ $1B emerald to Brazil after 23 years A battle over a reportedly “cursed” emerald between the nation of Brazil and American gem speculators could soon be over. A U.S. judge ruled Thursday, Nov. 20, that the emerald should be returned to Brazil after a long and heated journey. According to Brazil, the 836-pound Bahia Emerald was taken from a mine in 2001 and smuggled into the United States. The country wanted it back. However, several American gem enthusiasts were looking to make a fortune from the Bahia Emerald — one of the largest emeralds, if not the largest, in the world. It contains 180,000 carats and is estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion. According to The Washington Post, the emerald was in the possession of a Brazilian merchant nicknamed “the general” who had purchased it for $1,700. The merchant then sold it to two gem prospectors for $8,000. In 2005, the prospectors shipped it to the U.S. in hopes of finding a buyer, where reports sa