US Court Orders Bahia Emerald's Return to Brazil

After 24 years of legal battles, the Bahia Emerald, an 836-pound gemstone valued at approximately $1 billion, is set to return to Brazil following a ruling by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton. The emerald, mined in Brazil in 2001 and later smuggled into the U.S., has been embroiled in ownership disputes involving multiple parties, including the Brazilian government. Despite being declared the rightful owners by a California court in 2015, American investors, including Kit Morrison, have now accepted the ruling which enforces a Brazilian forfeiture judgment. The U.S. Department of Justice supported Brazil's claim, culminating in the federal court's decision to repatriate the gem. Often termed 'cursed' due to its tumultuous history, the emerald was involved in incidents like a panther attack and surviving Hurricane Katrina. The Brazilian government, claiming it as a national treasure, sought its return under international agreements.