An Introduction to the Mining of Gemstones


Compared to most mining, including that of fossil fuels, gold and diamonds, the mining of colored stones is small-scale and considered largely primitive.  It is also riskier:  There are several factors, some of which are beyond the miner's control, which influences the economics of colored gemstone mining:

The proximity of a mine to a good road and city or town, the more economical and profitable it is to mine.  A nearby source of water is also important and sometimes can provide cheap, convenient transport.  Climate such as withering heat and crippling snows can also directly affect the production.  Local labor costs are important in mining a gem deposit profitably as is the political and economic climate of the region.  The last factor to consider is the deposit type and methods used to extricate the gems.  Taking all of these issues into account, it is amazing to think that gorgeous gemstones are mined daily all over the world.

Legends and History of EMERALDS

The name Emerald comes from the Greek, it means "green stone".  It is considered the noblest within the mineral group Beryl that is a natural aluminum silicate.  Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in Colombia, the Indians were negotiating the operation and sale of their stones.

The legend says that the granite mountains of Fuca and Tena (which form the perimeter of the mining region for the best Emeralds in Colombia) were the prince and princess of the natives and born to the God of the mountains.  He gave them health that flowed through the mountain emerald veins.  He told them never to touch one particular sacred vein which was prohibited to them.  A demon named Zarv convinced the princess to take some prohibited stones.  When she made this mistake, she and the prince were turned into granite.  They began to cry about what happened to them, and those tears were formed of emeralds that formed the channel of The Rio Minero.

In addition to their beauty, emeralds are believed to increase intelligence, protect marriages, ease childbirth and enable the wearer to predict events.

Some of the rarest and most expensive emeralds in the world come from three main emerald mining areas in Colombia:  Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor.  Emeralds were mined there long before the Spaniards arrived.  It took many years for the Conquistadors to try and force the Incas to reveal the location of the hidden tunnels of which even the paths had been overgrown by the jungle.  Finally the Spanish, almost by accident, found them on their own and began mining and producing for the Spanish crown, who claimed one-fifth.    Many of the gold and emerald encrusted items the indigenous tribes created are displayed in the Museo del Oro in Bogota.

As with diamonds, the few famous large emeralds, scattered around the world, are often known by their names.  The two most famous are the Devonshire Emerald and the Patricia Emerald.

The Devonshire Emerald was given to the sixth Duke of Devonshire by Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil in 1831.  Uncut, it weighs 1,385.95 carats.

The Patricia Emerald, located in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, weighs 630 carats.

Five unnamed large emerald crystals from Muzo are located in the vault of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia and they weigh between 1,100 carats to 1,796 carats, as well as one weighing 220 carats.

The Smithsonian Institute of Washington has one that is 858 carats and is considered to be the finest quality in existence.

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