From 1985 on the Brazilian Government, both at federal as well as at state level, has been taking several steps towards supporting the gemologic sector. These are opening new outlooks for production and export of national precious stones. A policy for containment of irregular gem- trading will raise the gains in the foreign market to over 2.0 billion per year. Countries with no tradition in the production and export of gems, such as Thailand and Nigeria, started investing in this sector in the early eighties and now rank higher than Brazil in the international market. The world market in minerals is highly competitive.
Several countries struggle to ensure and to expand their relative participation.
Substituting minerals for other raw materials, according to variations in relative prices is another key feature in stirring up competitiveness in the international market.