Emerald from Muzo- There is Nothing Like It!
May 24th, 2013 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG
Fine Muzo Emerald
Fresh green from our shop– our hand crafted classic 3 stone ring accents this fine 1.21 ct. natural emerald from the fabled Muzo mine of Colombia with a matched pair of trapezoid brilliant cut diamonds. The cut and clarity of the stone show the color to its rich perfection. The soft yet vivid color of this gem is perfectly balanced between slightly yellowish green and slightly bluish green.
Muzo is one of the oldest active emerald mines in the world, located in the foothills of the Andes about 60 miles northwest of Bogota. The remote tropical deposits were worked long before the discovery of the New World. Mining by the indigenous people including the Muzo Indians, an independent and warlike tribe who still inhabit the region, spread the treasured green stone throughout pre-Colombian America.
The emerald trade reached all the way to central Mexico. Cortez was quick to capture the the precious green gem as part of the treasure he looted from the Aztec Empire. The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire centered in Peru brought awareness of the emeralds of the region, but it wasn’t until 1594 that the Spaniards were able to attempt working the mines of Muzo. While the mines of the region brought great riches to the Spanish Crown, production was always difficult, limited by geography, climate, and clashes with the native people.
- Colombian Emerald in Matrix- photo by Harold and Erica Van Pelt
Today, after centuries of continuous production, Muzo is still known as the mother lode of the very best emeralds. Somehow, the green of the Muzo emerald stands out from other emeralds and other green gems. There is no explanation, we know it when we see it. It’s just magic!
The Rare Gem Experts of Mardon are your source for Muzo Emeralds, Alexandrites, Padparadschas from Ceylon, Kashmir Sapphires, and Burma Rubies, as well as other unique and exotic gems. Let us find a treasure for you.
Tags: 3stone ring, Aztec, Chivor, Colombia, Conquistadores, Cosquez, emerald, Inca, Muzo, Pre-Columbia
