What gemstones are found in Columbia?

What gemstones are found in Columbia?

Emeralds are not the only treasure buried in the verdant land of Colombia. Rubies, sapphires and diamonds are also found there, though more rarely. Feast your eyes on the rainbow of colors of gemstone treasures from deep within the land of Colombia—red rubies, blue sapphires and yellow diamond.

What is a Colombian emerald?

Colombian emerald is the finest and most valuable variety of emerald gemstone resourced from the mines of Colombia. Situated in the continent of South America, Colombia is known for its deeply hidden emerald mines that supply rich green colored emeralds in the global market.

Are Colombian emeralds valuable?

Colombian emeralds are typically the most expensive in the world; however, you can pick one up for as low as $30 (109,000 Colombian pesos) and as much as $10,000 (36m Colombian pesos).

Why are Colombian emeralds so expensive?

Emeralds from Colombia possess less iron and fewer impurities and fractions than emeralds from other countries like Brazil and Zambia which makes Colombian emeralds much more valuable. Some of the most expensive and rarest emeralds in the world came from the emerald mines in Colombia.

What is the most prevalent precious gemstone from Colombia?

emeralds
For more than 4,000 years, emeralds have been among the most valuable of all jewels. Colombia, located in northern South America, is the country that mines and produces the most emeralds for the global market. It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70–90% of the world’s emerald market.

What do Colombian emeralds look like?

Colombian emeralds are said to have a warmer and more intense pure green color. Zambian emeralds are said to have a cooler, more bluish green color. In spite of these theories, the truth is that emerald appearance overlaps between sources. Emeralds that have no eye-visible inclusions are very rare.

Where are emeralds found in Colombia?

The eastern portion of the Andes, between the Boyacá and Cundinamarca departments, is where most Colombian emeralds are mined. The three major mines in Colombia are Muzo, Coscuez, and Chivor. Muzo and Coscuez are on long-term leases from the government to two Colombian companies, while Chivor is a privately owned mine.

How much is a 1 carat emerald worth?

1 carat of low-grade emerald can cost as little as $200, while 1 carat of a high-quality gem can fetch up to $18,000. Synthetic emeralds are much cheaper, with even the highest quality costing around $350 for 1 carat.

How can you tell a Colombian emerald?

Colombian emeralds have a bluish green to green in color with strong or vivid saturation, Zambian Emeralds have a more bluish and darker color than the Colombian emeralds and it commonly has a greater clarity, while the emeralds from Brazil has a lighter color and lower saturation.

Are Colombian emeralds rare?

It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70–90% of the world’s emerald market. While commercial grade emeralds are quite plentiful, fine and extra fine quality emeralds are extremely rare. Colombian emeralds over 50 carat can cost much more than diamonds of the same size.

How can you tell a real emerald from a fake?

A genuine emerald does not sparkle with fire, as do gemstones such as diamonds, moissanite or peridot. If you hold up an emerald to a source of light, it will shine but with a dull fire. There will be no rainbow flashes emitting from the stone. If the stone does sparkle and have intense fire, it is likely a fake.

What kind of gems are found in Columbia?

● Emerald: Columbia’s emeralds are world renowned for their size, color, and quality. Emeralds have a long history in Columbia with the vibrant green stones being highly valued by Columbians for many years before the rest of the world discovered the country as a source of high-quality stones.

Where are the best gemstones in British Columbia?

Fourmile Cr., and Slocan Lake. Good quality hyolite is found near Hihum Lake and the Bonaparte River. Along the banks of the Deadman Cr., fire opal has been found. Well-grained opalized wood in black, brown, white, and green hues have been found along Barnes Creek near Ashcroft.

What’s the color of a Colombian emerald ring?

In fact, soft green, grass green and even light green are all options for emerald rings and other designs. Colombian emeralds are noted for their deep green color while their Zambian counterparts are favored by those desiring a stunning bluish-green stone.

Where are the emerald deposits in Colombia located?

The Muso emerald deposits are situated in the western foothills of the eastern branch of the Colombian Andes and are distant about 96 km. (60 miles ±) in a direct northwesterly line from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia (Fig. 1).