Emeralds are one of the most coveted precious stones in the world for its dazzling green color and rarity. However, when it comes to emeralds, those from Colombia occupy a special place in the global market due to their quality and exclusivity.

Colombian emeralds are known to be the best in the world, which justifies their highest price compared to those of other producing regions.

In this article, we will explore the reasons why the Colombian emerald is more expensive according to Gerson Morales, CEO of Emerald By Love, we will give you figures thrown by Fedesmeraldas and tell you how the national emerald differs from those of other countries.

Colombian Emerald vs. that of other countries

Although emeralds are found in several countries, Colombia stands out as the world's leading producer of this gemstone. Other countries with emerald mines are Brazil, Zambia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, but none of these have the same reputation as Colombian emeralds.

Colombian emeralds are famous for their vibrant green color and exceptional clarity. By comparison, emeralds from other countries may have less intense or more inclusive shades, which affects their value in the market.

In addition, the tradition of emerald mining in Colombia is much older and deeply rooted in the country's culture, which also contributes to its global recognition.

That's why, for Gerson Morales, CEO of Emerald By Love

The Colombian Emerald is becoming increasingly expensive for its great spread with emeralds from the rest of the world, in fact, the national emerald is 40% more expensive according to Fedesmeraldas figures

Why the Colombian emeralds have better quality?

The quality of the Colombian emerald is widely recognized for its color, purity and size. Here are some of the main reasons why Colombia's emeralds are higher than those of other countries:

1. Unique color: Colombian emeralds are famous for their intense green color, ranging from a bright emerald green to a deeper green, but always with a vibrant saturation. This color is considered the most desired in the world of precious stones.
2. Transparency and purity: Colombian emeralds often have better transparency compared to other emeralds. Although all emeralds have natural inclusions, Colombia's tend to be cleaner and with less imperfections visible to the human eye.
3. Size and form: Colombia's mines produce large emeralds, some of them with significant weight, which increases their value. Colombian emeralds are often larger and better trained compared to those of other countries, making them more valuable.
4. Mining techniques: Colombian mines use traditional extraction and cutting methods that have been perfected over the centuries. These techniques ensure that the emerald is preserved in its best possible condition during its extraction process, which influences its final quality.

In addition to the above, in Colombia the production of these gems is increasing according to Fedesmeraldas figures, given in a recent interview with its president, Oscar Baquero:

In Colombia we are producing an average of two million carats a year, and we are expected to grow by 10%. This has happened because there have been new investments in St Paul of Borbur, in Boyacá, a mine that has had bigger productions.

How to differentiate a Colombian emerald from other emeralds?

Despite the visual similarities between emeralds from different countries, there are several ways to identify a Colombian emerald. Here are some key features to recognize it:

1. Color and tone: The Colombian emerald is distinguished by its intense and bright green, which can present a slightly bluish or yellowish touch depending on the extraction region. If the stone has a more blackened green or a different hue, it will probably come from another country.
2. Clarity: Colombian emeralds are usually cleaner than those in other regions. The inclusions (called gardens) in Colombian emeralds are usually smaller and less visible to the naked eye, making them more attractive.
3. Weight and size: Colombian emeralds, especially high-quality emeralds, are usually larger than emeralds from other regions. If an emerald has an exceptional size or a remarkable weight, it may be Colombian.

Paula A. Bonilla

Social communicator and journalist at Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweller and passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and high national jewellery.

Currently, he works for one of the most important jewelry stores in Bogotá, Esmeralda by Love. This jewelry has more than 40 years of experience and has 2 physical branches in the capital of Colombia, located in the center of the city.