What makes Colombian emeralds so special? Is it their natural beauty, or is there more to these gems than meets the eye? Let's delve into the world of Colombian emeralds and discover what makes them truly unique.
The prominent mountain peaks of Fura and Tena
History of Colombian Emeralds
Colombian emeralds have been treasured for centuries, and their popularity continues to this day. They were a vital resource for indigenous peoples in Colombia, with the Muzo and Chivor mines dating back as early as 500 AD. These beautiful gemstones were believed to have mystical properties and were highly prized.
According to legend, the emeralds were created from the tears of Fura, an immortal being, and Tena, another immortal, who were transformed into two mountain peaks after losing their immortality. This fascinating origin story adds to the allure of the emeralds found surrounding the mountains, and two incredible emeralds found in the Muzo mines were named Fura and Tena in 1999.
The history of the Fura and Tena mountains is deeply intertwined with the indigenous Muisca people of Colombia. The Muisca considered the mountains to be a sacred site and believed that they were home to their gods. The emeralds found in the mountains were highly valued by the Muisca, who used them for both religious and economic purposes. Today, the Fura and Tena mountains remain an important cultural and natural landmark, attracting visitors from around the world.
The Spanish Colonization of Las Americas, Colombia.
The Spanish Conquistadors’ Arrival
When Spanish conquistadors arrived in Colombia, they fell in love with the vibrant green gem, and its popularity soon spread across Europe. Colombian emeralds were believed to have healing qualities and were coveted by royalty and the wealthy. These precious stones adorned the finest jewelry creations of the period and were desired by many of Spain's trading partners.
Colombian emeralds have been known for centuries to be of the best quality and are still featured in antique jewelry pieces. From necklaces to rings and earrings, these gemstones remain a symbol of wealth and royalty.
No oil emerald Versus oil treated emerald
Emerald treatments: Understanding the process of oiling
To improve their clarity, emeralds are typically treated with oil. This treatment is normal, a standard and commonly used to enhance their appearance and make them more transparent. Gemologists classify the degree of oiling into minor or significant categories.
Natural Beauty of Untreated Emeralds
Untreated emeralds with exceptional color, clarity, and overall quality are highly rare. These natural emeralds possess a green radiance that's unmatched by treated emeralds, making them more valuable. Unlike their treated counterparts, untreated emeralds are free from oiling, and they showcase their natural beauty. Because of their rarity and beauty, untreated emeralds command significantly much higher prices. This can go from triple to quadruple in price per carat to its similar quality counterpart treated emerald and approximately 1-2% of emeralds in the market are untreated. Emeralds especially untreated are considered more rare than diamonds and other fine gemstones in the market.
What is Special About Colombian Emeralds?
Colombian emeralds are highly valued for their unique combination of color, clarity, and size. They are renowned for their deep, rich green color, which is due to the presence of chromium and vanadium in the stone. The high quality of Colombian emeralds is also attributed to the conditions in which they were formed, specifically the high pressure and temperature found deep within the earth's crust.
Colombian emeralds are often described as having a velvety or buttery texture, which adds to their allure. Additionally, Colombian emeralds have a rich history and mythology associated with them, making them even more special and highly coveted by collectors and gem enthusiasts. Below are some key points about what makes Colombian emeralds special:
Color: Colombian emeralds are highly valued for their deep, rich green color, which is due to the presence of chromium and vanadium in the stone. This color is considered to be the most desirable in emeralds.
Clarity: Colombian emeralds are known for their high clarity, with fewer inclusions and imperfections than emeralds from other locations. The quality is more gemy, cleaner and radiant.
Carats. This size, combined with their other desirable characteristics, makes Colombian emeralds highly valuable.
Formation: Colombian emeralds are formed in unique geological conditions, with high pressure and temperature found deep within the earth's crust. This contributes to their high quality and rarity.
Durability: In terms of durability, Colombian emeralds are the hardest gemstones after diamond. They have a Mohs hardness rating of 7.5-8, which makes them susceptible to scratches and chipping. But still they are very durable.
Texture: Colombian emeralds are often described as having a "velvety" or "buttery" texture, which adds to their allure and sets them apart from other emeralds.
Size: Colombian emeralds can also be quite large, with some specimens weighing over 50
Is Colombian Emerald a good investment?
In our professional opinion, Colombian emeralds are often considered a good value investment because it has been a store of value for trading for thousands of years and set into valuable pieces of jewelry. Unlike paper currencies, Colombian emeralds are a tangible asset that is not subject to the same inflationary pressures. It also has a limited supply, which makes it a valuable commodity that can appreciate in value when demand is high.
What sets Colombian emeralds apart from those found in other countries is their superior quality, with fewer impurities and fractures due to their lower iron content. As a result, they command higher prices and are highly sought after by collectors and investors. In recent years, their value has continued to appreciate, with prices per carat soaring up to $250,000. Just imagine an emerald sold 20 years ago today can be worth double to triple the price now.
Overall, Colombian emeralds can be a good addition to a diversified investment portfolio as a long-term store of value.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Colombian emeralds are truly unique and special gemstones. Their exceptional quality, rich history, and cultural significance make them a valuable investment for those looking to add something truly exceptional to their collection. Whether as a stunning piece of jewelry or a long-term investment, Colombian emeralds are a timeless and beautiful choice.