Famous Emeralds Discovered in Colombia

Colombia is synonymous with emeralds—the most beautiful green gems in the world. Their brilliance, purity, and color have made them symbols of beauty and exclusivity. Colombian mines, especially those in Muzo, Chivor, and Gachalá, have given birth to unique natural emeralds.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll talk about he most famous emeralds discovered in Colombia, their characteristics, the stories behind their discoveries, and their current locations—just in case you’d like to see them in person and be amazed.

Colombian Emeralds: The Best in the World

Colombian emeralds stand out for their pure green color and high degree of transparency. They are globally recognized as the finest, thanks to geological conditions that exist only in the Colombian Andes.
Additionally, only in Colombia can you find unique varieties such as the trapiche emerald, and the famous "oil drop" visual effect. These characteristics have enhanced their prestige for both high-end jewelry and investment purposes.

Famous Emeralds Discovered in Colombia

Gachalá Emerald (Emilia)

• Weight: 858 ct (172 g), rough and uncut

• Color: deep green

• Discovery: 1967, Vega de San Juan mine, Gachalá, Cundinamarca

• Current location: permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

Fura Emerald

• Weight: 11,000 ct (2.2 kg)

• Color: deep green, rough

• Discovery: 1999, Muzo mountain, Boyacá

• Location and ownership: preserved in its natural state by government entities

Tena Emerald

• Weight: approx. 2,000 ct (400 g)

• Color: dark green

• Discovery: 1999, same Muzo area, alongside Fura

• Location: preserved in its natural state by government entities like Fura

Patricia Emerald

• Weight: 630–632 ct, dihexagonal cut

• Discovery: 1920s, Chivor Mine, Boyacá

• Current location: American Museum of Natural History (New York)

The Devonshire Emerald

• Weight: unspecified

• History: named after the Duke of Devonshire; a gift from Emperor Pedro

• Location: Natural History Museum, London

La Lechuga (The Lettuce)

• Characteristics: religious monstrance with 1,485 Muzo emeralds, baroque goldsmithing (1700–1707)

• Current location: Museum of Art of the Bank of the Republic, Bogotá

Guinness Record Emerald (Coscuez)

• Weight: 1,759 ct, rough

• Discovery: Coscuez mine, Boyacá; preserved and displayed by the Bank of the Republic

Catherine the Great Emerald

• Weight: 4,693 ct (2,200 g)

• Discovery: 2010, Muzo mine, Boyacá

• Characteristics: rough, pure green, highly valued

Mogul Emerald

• Weight: 217.8 ct

• Discovery: Muzo mine; carved with floral and religious inscriptions, exported to India during the Mughal Empire

• Current location: Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

Emerald by Love: The World’s Most Famous Emeralds

At Emerald By Love, you’ll find the perfect jewelry if you're looking for top-quality natural Colombian emeralds. Each of our pieces is carefully handcrafted using authentic gems extracted from renowned Colombian mines—famous for producing the purest, brightest, and most desired emeralds in the world.
Moreover, Emerald By Love offers a reliable, personalized, and transparent shopping experience. We provide gemological certificates, electronic invoices, exclusive designs, and benefits like tax-free shopping for tourists—making us your best choice when looking for a jewel with authenticity, history, and beauty.

Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. Passionate about constantly learning about precious gemstones and high-end national jewelry. She currently works for one of the most important jewelry stores in Bogotá, Emerald By Love, which has over 40 years of experience and two physical branches in the capital, located in the city center.