Average Age of Colombian Emeralds Found
Colombia is world-renowned for the quality and quantity of its emeralds. These precious stones, which have adorned jewelry and luxury items for centuries, are prized not only for their beauty but also for their geological history.
One of the most intriguing questions for gemologists and emerald enthusiasts is: what is the average age of the Colombian emeralds found? To answer this question, we first need to understand how these gems form, how long their formation takes, and explore the oldest emeralds discovered in the country.
How is a Colombian Emerald Formed?
Emeralds form under specific geological conditions that involve the presence of beryllium, chromium, and vanadium. In Colombia, emeralds originate in hydrothermal deposits found in the Eastern Cordillera mountain range. These deposits form when magma cools and releases gases rich in minerals that, upon contact with sedimentary rocks, generate hydrothermal fluids. These fluids infiltrate the fissures of the rocks, where they combine with trace elements like chromium and vanadium, slowly crystallizing to form emeralds.
How Long Does It Take to Form a Colombian Emerald?
The formation of an emerald is a geological process that can take millions of years. In Colombia, emeralds have been forming since the Cretaceous period, approximately 65 to 145 million years ago. The hydrothermal fluids that create these gems can take from thousands to millions of years to slowly deposit the necessary minerals to form a gemstone-quality emerald. This prolonged and complex process contributes to the rarity and value of Colombian emeralds.
What is the Age of the Oldest Emerald Found in Colombia?
The oldest emerald found in Colombia is estimated to be around 65 million years old, placing it in the late Cretaceous period. These ancient gems are of great interest not only to the jewelry industry but also to scientists studying the evolution of the Earth's crust and the geological history of the Andean region.
Top 6 Oldest Emeralds
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The Fura Emerald: Known for being one of the largest ever found, this emerald is estimated to be 65 million years old.
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The Tena Emerald: Discovered in the Cundinamarca region, this emerald is approximately 60 million years old.
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The Minero River Valley Emerald: Found in the Boyacá region, its formation dates back 55 million years.
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The Muzo Emerald: From one of Colombia's most famous mines, it is around 50 million years old.
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The Coscuez Emerald: This deposit has produced emeralds dating back 45 million years.
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The Chivor Emerald: With an estimated age of 40 million years, Chivor emeralds are among the oldest and most valuable.
Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweler and is passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and national high jewelry.
Currently, she is working for one of Bogotá's most important jewelry stores, Emerald by Love. This jewelry store has over 40 years of experience and has 2 physical branches in the capital city of Colombia, located in the city center.
