How to Know if a Company Sells Emeralds Legally
For those looking to acquire an authentic and certified Colombian emerald, it is essential to know how to identify whether a jewelry store sells emeralds legally. Legal practices in the gemstone trade not only guarantee the authenticity of the emerald but also ensure compliance with regulations that protect both buyers and sellers.
Buying legal emeralds in Colombia means supporting the local industry and paying fair prices. In this article, we’ll show you how to recognize a legal emerald trading company so you won’t fall for counterfeit businesses.
Are All Colombian Emeralds Legal?
Although Colombia is the source of the finest emeralds in the world, not all stones circulating in the market have legal backing. There are informal networks that extract and sell emeralds without certification, without paying taxes, and without complying with environmental and social regulations.
What is RUCOM?
RUCOM (Single Registry of Mineral Traders) is an official database created by the Colombian government. It includes all individuals and legal entities authorized to trade minerals in the country. This tool allows buyers to verify whether a person or company is legally authorized to sell emeralds.
Being registered in RUCOM means the company has met technical, legal, tax, and environmental requirements, which gives buyers peace of mind. When purchasing an emerald, you can request the company’s RUCOM number and verify it through the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy portal.
How to Know You’re Buying Legal Colombian Emeralds
1. Verify the company is registered with RUCOM
Check if the seller is listed in RUCOM. This registration is mandatory for legally trading minerals in Colombia.
2. Ask for a legal invoice with VAT
A legal emerald sale must include an invoice showing the applicable VAT.
3. Request a gemological certificate
While it doesn’t replace the certificate of origin, a gemological analysis from a recognized lab certifies characteristics such as color, cut, clarity, and treatments.
4. Confirm eligibility for tax refunds
If you're a foreign buyer and you purchase legally in Colombia, you can apply for a VAT refund at the airport, which confirms your purchase was officially registered.
5. Check the company's reputation
Look for reviews, testimonials, and social media presence. A legal company typically has an active digital footprint and positive feedback from real customers.
6. Make sure they have a physical location or showroom in Colombia
Even though some sales are online, a company with a physical presence in Bogotá or another city offers more credibility.
7. Check with the chamber of commerce
A legal company is registered with the local Chamber of Commerce and can provide updated documents to prove its formal status.
8. Avoid buying from street vendors or unlicensed stores
Informal sales offer no legal protection. Even if the price is lower, you could be buying a gemstone without traceability or guarantees.
Emerald By Love: Legal and Safe Purchase of Colombian Emeralds
At Emerald By Love, we are proud to offer only legal Colombian emeralds, complete with certificates of origin, RUCOM registration, VAT invoices, and gemological analysis. Our jewelry house promotes fair, transparent trade with full traceability—from the mine to your jewel.
Our national and international customers can take advantage of the Tax Refund system, which confirms that all our sales are legally recorded. By choosing Emerald By Love, you're investing in an authentic gem, backed by decades of experience, a love for Colombia, and a strong commitment to legality.
Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Universidad Sergio Arboleda in Colombia. Passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and fine national jewelry. She currently works for one of Bogotá’s most renowned jewelry houses, Emerald By Love, which has over 40 years of experience and two physical locations in the capital, located in the city center.
