Maps: Colombian Emerald Mines, Beryl locations, Cities, Deposits, Mining production

Gemstones are found in many parts of the world, singly or grouped together. Groups that are quite large are called deposits. Places with a single find are called the location of discovery, place of discovery, or point of discovery. The word occurrence refers to any four of these terms.

Emerald Mines-locations

For the past 50 years Colombia has been the leader in the largest emerald production in the world. Colombia's mining towns supply about 60% of the world's output and 80% of the highest quality emerald available on the market today.

The two principle Colombian mines are located in the "Cordillera Oriental" region of the Colombian Andes mountains. Also referred to as The Emerald Belt. (mining region shown in the shaded area of map) The Chivor mine in the eastern region is the only major privately owned emerald mine in Colombia. The Muzo mine in the western region is leased to the government for 10 year periods to the Sociedad de Mineros Boyancences.

There are hundreds of "Cortes" or mine shafts unknown to the government which are undocumented. The unofficial miners (guaqueros) wait for the slurry (water mixture) to flow down the mountains below the main mining operation and they pan or prospect in these murky waters for emerald of any grade, usually of very low quality. These unofficial guaqueros dwell in very unstable or dangerous areas, Colombia is often referred to as "Locombia" or the mad country.

Guaqueros at the Mine entrance. Also known as: Emerald Poachers.

Guaqueros at the Mine entrance. Also known as: Emerald Poachers.

Bulldozers, dynamite and hydraulic jacks are used in the mining process. Large quantities of water are very important and is pumped to a reservoir above the area being worked and then is time released washing the area free of debris. This process in turn loosens up the emerald bearing material (shale and salt) and exposes calcite veins. The host rock is a dark carbonaceous limestone. Once a calcite vein is exposed all heavy machinery is shut down and workers hand pick and shovel the emerald bed that is within the calcite veins, under the watch of armed guards.

Large quantities of mud are produced in these mountains which makes the mining process extremely dangerous even in the dry season. The need for water accounts for the slow production in the mines during the dry season of March through May. Which in turn explains one reason for price increase of material during this time. A special problem of gem production world-wide is the smuggling of the gems out of the mines by the workers themselves which again will bring a price increase to the marketplace. Many methods of prevention for gemstone theft is becoming more severe.

Colombian Emerald the ultimate choice

Which mine produces better emeralds? The terms Muzo and Chivor are often used in the trade, they do not always determine the origin of the emerald but rather describe the quality and color. "Muzo" is used to describe a warm, grassy-green emerald, with yellow being the secondary color. "Chivor" describes a deeper green (pine-green), with blue being the secondary color. All gemstones are a rare geological occurrence, and emeralds are one of the rarest, even more so than diamonds. When looking for an emerald it is all a matter of preference to the individual. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Both stone types are highly sought after and are characterized as clear, brilliant, full of color and can be quite expensive. To the miners it is called "green gold". To the collector it is "green fire".

Emerald is traced thoughout the ages dating back as early as the Egyptians and highly valued. Today, gems are not worn as much to demonstrate wealth, but jewelry is bought for pleasure and appreciation of its beauty.

Deposits and Mining Production