Colombia- the Abode of Emeralds

Emerald is one of the most treasured gem in the world, and is often more valuable than diamonds. They are found in deposits in several places around the world, but Colombian emeralds are prized for their transparency, crystallization and fire. Emeralds range in color from a slightly light, yellowish green, to a deep, dark bluish green.

Some of the rarest and most expensive emeralds in the world come from three main emerald mining areas in Colombia i.e: Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor.

Emeralds were mined there long before the Spaniards arrived. It's not surprising that emeralds are the stuff of legends and history and were transported to Spain as part of the treasures of the New World. Besides just simply being beautiful, emeralds are believed to increase intelligence, protect marriages, ease childbirth and thought to enable its wearer to predict events. Cleopatra, among others, believed in their magical fascination and the myth surrounding this gem.

The value of an emerald like diamond depends on the ‘4C’, that is the cut, the color, the clarity, and the carat. The characteristics of Colombian emeralds have set the highest standards of quality.