The Emerald Enterprise

It is a little-known fact that Colombia produces more than two-thirds of the world’s emeralds. The largest mines are found in the Boyacá and Cundinamarca regions of the Andes Mountains. Due to Colombia’s reputation as a travel destination, its emeralds have an exotic flair.

The gems cost less within the country’s borders because of their abundant supply. Once exported to the world’s markets, their prices increase significantly. If you want a bargain on authentic jewelry and you like South American cultural icons, consider Colombia when deciding on your next vacation spot.

History

When Spanish conquistadors first claimed Colombia as a colony in 1514, they named it Nueva Granada. Nueva meant “new,” and Granada was an area of Spain. As in many other colonies, the Spanish sought three things in Nueva Granada:

• to appease God
• to win glory
• to strike it rich

They hoped that they’d find gold, land, and other exotic resources to bring them wealth.

Soon after their arrival, Spanish conquistadors noticed that the Indigenous people possessed high-quality emeralds. They forced the locals to show them where to mine the precious gems. The Spanish seized the emeralds and sent them back to Spain.

Now, hundreds of years later, the sites the Spanish excavated are still being used. Small, independent mining operations have been replaced by large multinational corporations. Local laborers extract the stones under tight security. Uncut emeralds are sold to traders, and from there they make their way across the world.

Emerald Exchange

Colombian emeralds are renowned for both their quality and quantity. Nevertheless, buyers might choose to buy their emeralds from other countries such as Brazil or Zambia. This is because the more recent history of Colombia’s emeralds is filled with intrigue, corruption, and violence. Mining conditions are harsh, and competition for the valuable discoveries is fierce. In fact, a particularly brutal period of conflict during the 1980s is known as the Green Wars.

Emerald Enchantment

Colombian emeralds are cited as some of the most beautiful stones in all the world. Because of their rarity, emeralds of good color and clarity are currently valued more highly than sapphires or diamonds. Engagement rings throughout South America often feature emeralds, due to their relative affordability.

In the United States, while the diamond engagement ring has been the status quo, owning an emerald is also a popular choice. Nontraditional brides-to-be see diamonds as too bland for such a special occasion. With the emerald fan club including such notable figures as Cleopatra, why not go for the green?

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