Colombian Emeralds: A Detailed Guide for Collectors and Enthusiasts

The Geological Origins of Colombian Emeralds

Colombian emeralds are praised worldwide for their exceptional quality and deep green color. Emerald mines from Colombia are some of the most lucrative mines in the world. Historical geological data shows that emeralds were minded from this region before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors to Colombia in the 16th century. The Incas used emeralds in their jewelry and religious ceremonies for over half a century. Colombian emeralds, with their unique deep hues, command fascination and high prices, making them stand out in necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets.

Legendary Colombian Emerald Mines

Columbian emerald — Colombian Emerald Necklace 18.72 carats

There are two main mining districts in Colombia: Muzo and Chivor. The Muzo mine is also called the “Emerald Capital of the World”. Emeralds from this mine are known to have the deepest and richest color. Emeralds from the Chivor mines have a more blueish-green hue. Both mines are still active today and produce 70-90% of the emeralds in the global market. The vivid green color of Colombian emeralds comes from the presence of trace elements like chromium and vanadium. The most desirable emeralds from these mines will have the highest clarity and the least number of visible inclusions.

The Mystic of Colombian Emeralds

Colombian Emerald Earrings — Colombian Emerald and Diamond Drop Earrings 39.90 carats

Colombian emeralds have long been surrounded by their allure and mystic. In many cultures, emeralds are believed to symbolize fertility and rebirth. Emeralds are also believed to have mystical powers. The mystical powers come from ancient Incan stories about emeralds bringing good fortune, enhancing intuition, and promoting healing and balance. An emerald was also once believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria. Today, an emerald is the birthstone for May and a traditional 55th wedding anniversary gift.

Buying Natural Colombian Emeralds

Columbian Emerald Ring — Harry Winston Colombian Emerald Ring 6.07 carats

Natural unheated Colombian emeralds are the most desirable within the luxury market. On Sotheby’s Buy Now Marketplace, we source the highest quality natural emeralds. When looking for emerald jewelry, it's crucial to focus on the best cut, clarity, color, and carat. It is also important to look for “No Oil Colombian Emeralds or “No Treatment Colombian Emeralds”. Oiling is a treatment used to enhance the clarity of emeralds by filling the fissures with oils to make the inclusions less visible. While this process may enhance the appearance of the gemstone, it takes away from the natural beauty of the gemstone and lowers its value. No oil Colombian emeralds are the pinnacle of natural beauty in emerald gemstones. When buying an emerald, always look for a GIA or EGL certification that proves the gemstone is in its natural state. No Oil Colombian emeralds sold on Sotheby’s marketplace start at $10K. If you are looking for exceptional high jewelry emerald creations on Sotheby's marketplace, these creations start at $100K.

4C’s of Columbian Emeralds

When buying emeralds, it's essential to consider the four Cs: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight, to ensure you choose a high-quality gemstone. Emerald belongs to the beryl family. In regards to the atomic structure of an emerald, high levels of chromium, in combination with low levels of iron, may result in crystallographic stress fractures, lowering the clarity of vivid green emeralds. Emeralds are considered type III gemstones since they always include some inclusions. Inclusions in emeralds are known as “jardin''. Jardin is French for Garden, gemologists see these slight imperfections resembling a garden's intricate patterns. When evaluating an emerald's clarity, we suggest looking for an emerald with a clarity grade of SI1 or above.

When it comes to an emerald color, the iconic green in emeralds can vary from a blueish-green to a true green, to a yellowish-green. Colombian emeralds primarily owe their incomparable and intense green color to chromium, the same element that gives ruby its distinctive red hue. This unique chromophore while positive in respect to color can harm clarity. Colombian emeralds are the most desirable emeralds because they are known to have a vibrant bluish-green.

The most popular cut for an emerald gemstone is an Emerald Cut. This is because emeralds are known to be “brittle” by nature which makes them easily susceptible to fractures. By cutting emerald gemstones in an emerald cut, it maximizes clarity, enhances color, and maintains the structural integrity of the gemstone.

When it comes to carat, it depends on the type of creation you are seeking. For emerald rings, we suggest starting at least at 3-carat. Finding natural Colombian emeralds with a vibrant blueish-green hue a few inclusions are extremely rare. Prices for Colombian Emerald jewelry ranges for $10,000 to $100,000+ depending on the size and quality of the emerald, setting and provenance.

Price of Colombian Emeralds

Today, Colombian emeralds are some of the most expensive on the market. Globally there has been a 10% rise in the price of natural emeralds per year for over 15 years at auctions. In December 2022, a Sotheby’s auction featured a 400-year-old Colombian emerald ring salvaged from a shipwreck in 1985. This 5.27-carat octagonal step-cut emerald mounted on gold was originally estimated to go for $50-70K. The ring surpassed its estimate and sold for a record-breaking $1.2 million.

Buying and Selling Colombian Emeralds at Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has rare and exceptional Colombian emeralds available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Colombian emeralds available for immediate purchase. If you would like to view a Colombian emerald ring or other jewelry piece, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Colombian emerald rings from its global supplier network.

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