Essential Glossary of Colombian Emerald Terms

For those looking to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Colombian emeralds, it’s key to become familiar with the technical and cultural terms that surround these gems. Whether you're considering buying jewelry, investing, or simply learning, understanding the right terminology will help you make informed decisions and appreciate their beauty even more.

This essential glossary brings together the most important words related to Colombian emeralds. Learning these terms will not only enrich your vocabulary, but also bring you closer to the rich history behind every green treasure.

Glossary of Essential Terms about Colombian Emeralds

• Emerald: A green variety of beryl, considered one of the four most valuable gemstones in the world. Colombian emeralds are regarded as the most beautiful and highest quality globally.

• Beryl: The base mineral from which emeralds are derived; other beryl varieties include aquamarine.

• Inclusion: Internal features of an emerald, such as bubbles, crystals, or fractures—also known as “gardens.” Inclusions signify the natural origin of an emerald.

• Colombian Origin: Indicates that the emerald was mined in Colombia, a country renowned for producing the finest quality emeralds in the world.

• Muzo: One of the most famous mines in Colombia, located in Boyacá, known for producing deep green emeralds.

• Chivor: Another notable Colombian mine, known for producing emeralds with lighter and brighter green tones.

• Coscuez: A major mine located in Boyacá; its emeralds often display intense green hues with excellent transparency and yellow undertones.

• Cut: The process of shaping and faceting an emerald to enhance its color and brilliance. Popular cuts include: emerald cut, pear, round, and oval.

• Emerald Cut: A rectangular cut with beveled corners, the most classic and recognized cut for this gemstone.

• Crystal Emerald: An emerald with crystal-clear tones; often lacks color intensity but offers high transparency.

• Carat: The unit of weight for Colombian emeralds. One carat equals 0.2 grams.

• Transparency: The level of clarity in an emerald; it directly impacts the gem’s value. The cleaner it is, the more expensive it becomes.

• Color: The most important characteristic of an emerald. Pure, intense, and vivid green is the most desirable.

• Treatment: Processes applied to emeralds (such as oiling) to enhance their appearance. In the Colombian emerald market, the most known treatment is “Perma.”

• Oiling: A common technique used to fill fractures in emeralds with natural oils or resins.

• Cutter: A professional who shapes, polishes, and prepares the emerald to be set in a piece of jewelry.

• Gemological Certificate: A document certifying the emerald’s characteristics: origin, color, cut, weight, and any treatments.

• Purity: The degree to which an emerald is free of visible inclusions.

• Setting: The technique used to secure the emerald in a jewelry piece.

• Ganga: A raw emerald stone sculpture, which may also contain other minerals like pyrite and quartz.

Emerald By Love: Experts in Colombian Emeralds

At Emerald By Love, every piece we design tells a story—from the mine to your hands. Our expert jewelers and gemologists ensure that every emerald retains its natural essence and shines as it should. Whether you want to learn, buy, or gift a unique jewel, you’re in the right place.

Do you have questions about any of these terms? Want to see how they apply in practice? At Emerald By Love, we don’t just sell jewelry—we offer personalized advice so every decision you make is based on knowledge and trust.

We invite you to visit us in Bogotá or contact us online. Our team is ready to help you discover the true meaning of holding a Colombian emerald in your hands.

Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. Passionate about continuously learning about precious gems and high-end national jewelry. Currently works for one of Bogotá’s leading jewelry houses, Emerald by Love. This jewelry brand has over 40 years of experience and two physical locations in the capital of Colombia, both located in the city center.