Colombian Emerald: The Story of the World’s Most Desirable Gem

From the pages of history

precolonial era

Considered one of the world’s most desired gems, this stone first made its debut in ancient Egypt. Her seductive aura convinced even Queen Cleopatra, who was a huge fan. In addition to their artistic value, emerald gemstones were also sought after because they were thought to enhance intelligence, alleviate work complications, protect marriages, and give their owner the power of prophecy.

emerald in myth

The Legend of Fura and Tena, the two immortal human beings, is associated with the birth of emeralds. The God Ares created them to inhabit the earth. The only condition that was imposed on them to remain young forever was that they remain faithful to each other. However, Fura, the woman, did not remain faithful to her partner. It resulted in premature aging of her and they both eventually died. The god Ares then turned them into boulders. Fura’s tears turned into emerald gems. These two bluffs are the official guardians of the Columbian Emerald Zone in Columbia, 30 km north of the Muzo mines, the site of the largest emerald-producing mine in the country.

Colonial Period and Independence

The native Muzo Indians of Colombia are believed to have mastered the art of mining as early as 500 AD. However, it was the Spanish who introduced Colombian emeralds to the world. Spain took almost five decades to conquer the entire mining area. After taking control, they enslaved the locals to work in the mines. Once these gems reached Europe, sovereigns and gem-loving nobility pursued this New World treasure.

Colombian emeralds enriched the private collections of these new owners between 1600 and 1820 when Spain controlled the Colombian mines. After Colombia gained its freedom in 1819, the government and private companies took over mining operations. Over the course of the 19th and 20th century, these mines were occasionally closed due to political instability within the country.

emeralds today

Today, numerous items inlaid with emerald gemstones and created by Colombia’s native population are on display at the Museo del Oro in Bogotá, the capital. Alongside the museum, various artifacts are in the possession of private collectors. To educate people about the history and evolution of this stone, the Colombian Emerald Museum Corporation (MEC) was founded.

What makes the Colombian emerald unique?

• Reputed to be some of the purest in the world, Colombian emeralds are the only variety of emeralds that form in sedimentary rocks rather than igneous rocks.

• It is, in fact, a beryllium stone that owes its unusual color to chromium and vanadium, two very rare chemical elements, and the reason for the color of the only green crystalline stone in the world.

• The value of a gem is determined by its color, purity, size, and brilliance. Each emerald has a unique appearance that sets it apart from the rest, even when mined from the same location.

• Dark green is considered the most precious color of this gem. A gemstone of this hue is considered rare and is only discovered in the deepest mines in Colombia.

the green war

The Colombian emerald beauty also saw the civil war that began in the mid-1950s. The sixty-year struggle between right-wing paramilitary groups, Colombian drug cartels, left-wing guerrilla groups, and the government killed thousands of people. and forced millions of people into exile. The smuggling of this precious gem on the global black market served as funding fuel for extremists.

However, not all the emerald comes from the conflict region. Columbia is the world’s largest producer of gemstones and produces the majority of the world’s production. Since the end of the war, Colombia has experienced substantial economic growth with political stability and received a positive outlook from the UN. Similarly, the production of emeralds in Colombia has also increased in the last ten years, by almost 78%.

Renowned Colombian Emeralds

Emerald Crowned Ibis: The Colombian Emerald in this crown weighs 234 carats and is considered the largest, oldest and most expensive natural specimen in the world. The stone came to light in 2007, when it was examined at a gem technology laboratory in Geneva, and then unveiled at the Bangkok fair in 2012.

emerald chalk: This Colombian emerald was once set in the emerald and diamond necklace worn by the Queen of Baroda. In the 20th century, the gem was recut from its original weight of 38.40 carats and made into a ring designed by Harry Winston. After including sixty pear-shaped diamonds to border the emerald, it now weighs approximately 15 carats. In 1972, the ring was donated to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History by Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk, and has remained in the possession of the Smithsonian’s National Gem and Mineral Collection ever since.

Gachala Emerald: The Gachala Emerald, one of the most valued and renowned in the world, was discovered in 1967, in the Vega de San Juan mine, in the Colombian town of Gachala. The gem was donated by New York jeweler Harry Winston to the Smithsonian Institution, in the United States, which still maintains ownership of this beautiful gem.

Value in the current global market

The emerald has been popular for over 5,000 years. The civilizations of South America, Africa and Asia independently discovered this beauty and gave it a position of great value. The gem has retained its charm and charisma in modern times. Along with ruby ​​and sapphire, it is considered the most popular colored stone.

The green craze has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Its beauty has conquered the luxurious lines of emerald jewelry, the red carpet and the masses that seem to have fallen in love with this colorful stone.

With the popularity the gem enjoys, it is safe to say that we will see the clamor for this vibrant stone grow in the days to come!