Colombian emeralds that have been stolen

We have repeatedly mentioned how valuable and appreciated Colombian emeralds are. So much so that there are those who seek to take advantage of their great value to take advantage.

This is the case of some of the raw jewels or gems with Colombian emeralds that have suffered different thefts throughout history. Some have been successfully recovered, other items have not been counted on this luck.

Below are some of the most famous Colombian emerald robberies in history.

Where are the emeralds kept?

Emeralds are saved and secured in different places, depending on their context and purpose. Here are some of the common places where emeralds can be saved:

1. Mining company vaults: Emerald mines often have safe vaults where precious stones extracted are stored. These vaults are designed to protect emeralds and ensure their safety until they are sold or shipped to buyers.
2. Jewelry and high-end shops: The emeralds that have been cut, polished and converted into jewelry are often stored in the vaults of jewelry and luxury shops. These establishments have rigorous security measures to protect their valuable products.
3. Financial institutions: Some financial institutions, such as banks, can offer custody services for valuables, including precious gems such as emeralds. Customers can rent safes in the vaults of these banks to store their emeralds and other valuables.
4. Museums and exhibitions: Emeralds of great historical or cultural value are often exhibited in museums or in temporary exhibitions. These places have specialized security systems to protect gems and prevent theft.
5. Private collections: Gem and jewelry collectors can have their own vaults or security systems in their homes to store their emeralds and other precious pieces. These systems can include safes, alarm systems and surveillance.

Emeralds that have been stolen

These are the Colombian emeralds that have gone down in history not only because they are beautiful, but because they have been stolen. Let's see

1. La Esmeralda Fura: This 1,930 carat Colombian emerald was discovered in the Muzo mine, known for its high quality emeralds. In 1967, during an exhibition in New York, the stone was stolen and never recovered.
2. Theft at the Casa de la Moneda in Bogotá: In 1985, a group of thieves carried out a bold robbery at the Casa de la Moneda in Bogotá, where numerous Colombian emeralds were kept. Although part of the loot was recovered, some emeralds of great value were never found.
3. The Robbery of the Emerald Gachalá: In 1967, the famous Emerald Gachalá, an exceptional specimen of 858 carats, was stolen from the National Museum of Colombia in Bogotá. Although the emerald was later recovered, he suffered significant damage during the robbery.
4. The Robbery at the International Jewelry Fair in Bogota.: In 2008, during the International Jewelry Fair in Bogota, a group of criminals stole several Colombian emeralds of great value. Despite the efforts of the authorities, some of the stones were never found.

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.