Latin Scientific
Emeralds of Latin America
Emeralds of South America
In Latin America, emeralds are found in Colombia & Brazil. Colombia is the worlds largest producer of emeralds & annualy has produced up to 95% of the worlds emeralds, depending on demand & quality.
Colombian Emeralds
The most prized emerald bearing regions are located in the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes at over 2000m asl. They are found in Muzo, Chivor & Coscuez, in the Boyaca department. Emeralds are also found to a lesser extent in the Cundinamarca & Santander departments. The emeralds are found within calcite veins & breccias, in a Cretaceous calcareous & carbonaceous black shale host rock. The darker green colour of Colombian emeralds is attributed to the higher amount of chromium included in the gem. Inclusions in the emeralds are also a unique feature setting Colombian emeralds apart from the worlds other emerald deposits. Colombian emeralds are generally considered the best quality on earth due to their unique properties.
Brazilian Emeralds
Brazilian emerald production accounts for much less of the worlds supply of emeralds than Colombia. They are found in Santa Teresinha - Goias state, Belmont, Nova Era & Itabera - Minais Gerais state & Carnaíba & Socotó - Bahia state. Brazillian emeralds are found in much older Pre-Cambrian talc-carbonate schists & biotite schists host rocks. Brazillian emeralds tend to be lighter than Colombian emeralds, due to their higher vanadium content.
