Can I take an emerald purchased in Colombia abroad?

Purchasing a Colombian emerald is much more than a transaction: it’s an investment, a luxury jewel, and a direct connection to the land where the world’s most valuable emeralds are born. If you're visiting Colombia and want to take an emerald as a souvenir, a gift, or a collector’s piece, it’s natural to wonder if you can legally take it out of the country.

The good news is yes—you can take emeralds purchased in Colombia abroad, as long as you meet certain requirements. These regulations ensure that the stones come from legal and responsible sources. In this article, we explain how you can legally export your emeralds and which purchases you should avoid.

Where to buy Colombian emeralds

To ensure a legal, ethical, and high-quality purchase, it’s essential to go to jewelers who work directly with certified emeralds and comply with commercial regulations. While many stores exist in Colombia, not all offer clear guarantees or transparent processes.

A trustworthy option is Emerald By Love, as we are a 100% Colombian jewelry brand specialized in natural emeralds. Each piece includes gemological certificates, traceability from the mine to your hands, and the possibility of a Tax Refund, allowing you to recover the tax if you reside outside of the country.

Can I take an emerald purchased in Colombia abroad?

Yes, you can take emeralds out of the country, but you must comply with the following conditions:

• Gemological certificate: Make sure the emerald comes with a certificate that proves its authenticity, weight, origin, and characteristics. This prevents issues at customs and backs up the value of your jewel.

• Legal invoice: The store must issue an official invoice reflecting the purchase. Without this document, you could face problems when declaring the jewel or applying for benefits like the Tax Refund.

• Store with Tax Refund option: You can only recover the VAT (Value Added Tax) if you buy from a store registered in the tourist tax refund system. Emerald By Love offers this benefit, making the process of exiting the country easier.

• Emeralds set in jewelry: It’s easier to export emeralds that are already set in jewelry. Loose emeralds are subject to stricter regulations.

• Customs declaration: If the value of the jewel exceeds a certain amount, you must declare it when leaving the country. This doesn’t prevent you from taking it, but it does require following proper customs procedures.

• Legal origin: The store must be registered in RUCOM (Single Registry of Mineral Traders). This guarantees the emerald comes from a legal and authorized source.

When are you not allowed to take emeralds out of Colombia?

There are specific situations in which you cannot take an emerald out of the country. The most common cases include:

• If you don't have a certificate for the emerald: Without a document certifying its authenticity and characteristics, customs may retain the stone due to suspicion of illegal origin or trafficking.

• If you don’t have a legal invoice or proof of purchase: This prevents you from proving the legality of the transaction and could result in legal issues or confiscation.

• If the store is not registered in RUCOM: This could indicate that the jewel comes from the black market or unlicensed mining.

• If you attempt to take out commercial quantities without being an authorized exporter: Carrying several undeclared stones may be considered smuggling.

At Emerald By Love, everything is guaranteed

When you buy from Emerald By Love, you can rest assured that you're acquiring a 100% legal, certified, and traceable emerald. In addition:

• You receive professional gemological certificates.

• The store is registered in RUCOM, ensuring legal origin.

• You have access to the Tax Refund service, recovering part of your investment.

• You get personalized guidance to prepare your jewel and travel documents.

Paula A. Bonilla

Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. Passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and high-end national jewelry. Currently working for one of Bogotá’s most prominent jewelers, Emerald By Love. This jewelry brand has over 40 years of experience and operates two physical stores in Colombia’s capital, both located in the city center.