Emerald from Chivor 13g – Boyacá, Colombia

Colombian emeralds are valued worldwide for their exceptional quality and bright, saturated green colour, which results from a high content of chromium and vanadium. These gemstones have a unique origin because they form in sedimentary rocks, unlike emeralds from other parts of the world, which form in igneous rocks. Emerald quality is divided into carving grade, cabochon grade and facet grade, with facet grade being the best known and most sought-after. Gem-quality emeralds are very rare, and miners often have to process tonnes of rock to find just a few high-quality emeralds.

The most desirable emerald colour ranges from bluish-green to pure green, with bright saturation and without an excessively dark green tone. High transparency and an even distribution of colour without visible colour zoning are typical characteristics of valuable emeralds.

Why Colombian emeralds?

Colombian emeralds are an excellent choice because of their unique and intense green colour, which is considered one of the most desirable in the world. These gemstones are highly valued because of their origin, which includes mines such as Muzo and Chivor, both renowned for their beautiful specimens.

Why buy them from us? You won't get burned!

We source our emeralds directly from Colombian suppliers, which allows us to offer the best prices and carefully select the highest quality across all price categories. Whether you are a beginning collector or a more demanding customer, you can find something suitable in our selection. We are proud to offer one of the largest selections of Colombian emeralds in Europe, which we are constantly expanding.

Muzo Region

Muzo emeralds are known for their intense, vivid green colour with subtle yellowish undertones. Muzo is the oldest and best-known mining locality, where emeralds were mined even before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 14th century. Emeralds from this region are generally darker and greener, often with dark spots.

Chivor Region

Chivor emeralds are characterised by their bluish-green colour and are generally clearer and more lustrous than emeralds from Muzo. They occur in difficult-to-access terrain with dense forests and high humidity. Chivor emeralds are often associated with pyrite crystals, which can help determine their origin.

Characteristics

Colour and clarity:

• Colour: Colombian emeralds have an intense and pure green colour that does not depend on sparkle or lustre.
• Clarity: These emeralds generally have fewer inclusions, which increases their value. When inclusions are present, they are often small and barely visible.

Physical properties:

• Hardness: Emeralds have a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, making them relatively durable, although they are still more brittle than some other gemstones.

Comparison with other emeralds:

• Colombian emeralds have a bluish-green to green colour with strong or vivid saturation.
• Zambian emeralds have a darker and more bluish tone.
• Brazilian emeralds are lighter and less saturated.

Care and maintenance

Emeralds are more brittle than some other gemstones and require careful handling. It is recommended to protect them from impacts and store them separately from other jewellery to prevent scratching or damage.

History of Colombian emeralds

The history of Colombian emerald mines is full of mysteries and legends. Indigenous peoples of Colombia mined and traded these gemstones long before the arrival of Europeans. The first European contact with Colombian emeralds occurred in 1537, when the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada conquered the territory inhabited by the Muisca people. The conquistadors discovered that the source of these gemstones was an area known as Somondoco, today the Chivor mine, which in the local language means "god of the green stones".