An 836-pound “cursed” emerald worth nearly $1 billion will be returned to Brazil after 15 years under lock and key in Los Angeles.

Now, a federal judge has ruled that the smuggled stone should return to its home country of Brazil. According to Brazilian authorities, the Bahia Emerald is one of the largest emeralds, if not the largest, ever discovered. Court documents say it weighs ...

Many have claimed to be the rightful owner of the 836-pound Bahia emerald, reputed to be the world’s largest, which is worth as much as $1 billion. Their legal battles have endured for so long and ensnared so many participants — including, ultimately, the Federative Republic of Brazil — that people have taken to calling the rock cursed.

But now the Brazilian emerald is finally poised to come out – and head home. On Thursday, United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton said that a request by the American and Brazilian governments to return the emerald to its native country can move forward,