Until 2016, the Colombian emerald trade was at the center of Colombia's civil conflict, which has plagued the country since the 1950s. Īlthough the Colombian emerald trade has a rich history that dates as far back as the pre-Columbian era, the increase in worldwide demand for the industry of the gemstones in the early 20th century has led prices for emeralds to nearly double on the global market. The Colombian departments of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, both in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, are the locations where most of the emerald mining takes place. Colombian emeralds over 50 carat can cost much more than diamonds of the same size.
While commercial grade emeralds are quite plentiful, fine and extra fine quality emeralds are extremely rare. It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70–90% of the world's emerald market. Colombia, located in northern South America, is the country that mines and produces the most emeralds for the global market, as well as the most desirable. For more than 4,000 years, emeralds have been among the most valuable of all jewels. They are minerals in the beryl group of silicates.
Green precious gemstones Emeralds, Muzo Mine, Vasquez-Yacopí Mining District, ColombiaĮmeralds are green and sometime green with a blueish-tint precious gemstones that are mined in various geological settings.
