Who owns Muzo emerald mine?
Muzo is the oldest mining site, being mined on and off for centuries before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 14th century. As mentioned above, the mines of Muzo are government property and are leased out to individual mining companies.
Which country has the best emerald in the world?
Colombia
Colombia has been top provider of the world’s finest quality and largest quantity of emerald supplies. Emerald is a medium or darker green to blue-green color gemstone.
Where is the largest emerald mine in the world?
Zambia
Kagem Emerald Mine, Zambia | Gemfields. Let us introduce you to Kagem, believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine. Located in the southern part of Zambia’s copper belt, this open-pit mine lies in the centre of a mineral-rich province called the Ndola Rural Emerald Restricted Area.
How many emerald mines are in Colombia?
There are two principal emerald-mining districts in Colombia today: Muzo and Chivor. The 360- km2 Muzo district, at an elevation of about 600 m, is located 105 km north of the capital city of Bogota in the valley of the Rio Itoco, a tributary of the Rio Minero.
What is the Muzo mine?
The Muzo mines lie some 60 miles north-west of Bogotá in a far-flung corner of Boyacá department in the high Andes mountains. The path weaves its way from high cold altitudes among sheer cliffs in the clouds, finally dropping down through the semitropical jungle to humid warm valleys where the gems are hidden.
What is the rarest emerald?
Trapiche Emerald
The Trapiche Emerald is the rarest type of emerald. While there is plenty of information out there regarding emeralds, their various hues, places of origin, and possible inclusions; there is not much out there about this unusual variety of emerald.
How much is 1 carat emerald worth?
Emeralds can range from less than $1 a carat to $100,000 a carat. Any gem has a wide range of quality, from opaque and only suitable for carving to transparent, well-colored and making auction houses grin.
Which emerald is better Colombian or Zambian?
Zambian emeralds are also usually more transparent and have fewer inclusions. Zambian emeralds are priced lower than Colombian emeralds, making them a perfect option if you are on a budget. Colombian emeralds are more prestigious due to Colombia’s reputation for exceptional emeralds.
Why are Zambian emeralds so cheap?
Zambian emeralds are competitively priced Even though Zambian emeralds are highly desirable because of their clarity and unique colour, they remain a lot more affordable than Colombian stones. The main reason for their generally lower price lies in the history of emerald mining in both countries.
Why does Colombia have emeralds?
The history of emeralds in Colombia In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors seized control of the mines and forced the indigenous Muzo people to work for them. The precious stones were then sold to royalty and the wealthy in Europe, India and Turkey.