Mineral Miracles

It is nothing short of a geological miracle when the perfect elements come together to create Emeralds. While Emeralds are mined in many different parts of the world, the landscape in Colombia is blessed with a unique and rich geological formation.

Because of this, Colombian Emeralds are considered the most desirable when compared to other raw deposits found in places like Zambia, Brazil, or Russia. The formation of the emeralds is an intriguing process to Gemologists and Geologists alike!

Whereas most of the world’s Emeralds are created due to the process of contact metamorphism between metamorphic and igneous rocks, Colombian Emeralds crystallize as a result of a hydrothermal process associated with tectonic activity deep under the Andes Mountains.

Emeralds that do not originate from Colombia form from the mix of intruding fluids with shists and pegmatites, and the factors of pressure and temperature surrounding those rocks at that time. The process of the creation of Colombian emeralds is more intricate as the hydrothermal fluids extract rare elements like beryllium and chromium from organic-rich black shale, and then re-deposit them along the veins in the sedimentary rocks. This results in the materialization of vibrant rough crystals for emeralds that have deeper tones, profound hues and are more vivid, pure, and resistant than non-Colombian Emeralds.

The emeralds mined in this storied landscape, and how they are distinguished as the finest in the world, is the primary reason Emco has based its focus on Colombian Emeralds, and why we are the leader in our craft.