A Journey Into the Heart of the Colombian Emerald
More than a book — a tribute to Colombia, its emeralds, and the people who reveal their light. Discover Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana: an unprecedented exploration of history, nature, and craftsmanship, from the mines of Muzo and Chivor to the world’s greatest jewelers.
The Soul of a Stone — and of a Country
Born from a profound fascination with Colombia, Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana pays homage to a land where nature, history, and humanity intertwine. It celebrates the heart of Boyacá, home to the legendary mines of Muzo and Chivor – regions where the world’s most extraordinary emeralds are born. Beyond the beauty of the gem lies the story of the people who extract, cut, and cherish it — the miners, lapidaries, and artisans whose hands preserve a centuries-old dialogue between nature and artistry.
The Timeless History of Colombian Emeralds
The story of the Colombian emerald is as old as the Andes themselves — a history carved in stone, shaped by myth, and transformed by human ambition. From the sacred rituals of the Muzo and Muisca peoples and the legend of Fura and Tena to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, its destiny has mirrored the evolution of civilizations. What was once a spiritual emblem became a symbol of global power: from the mines of Muzo and Chivor, emeralds journeyed aboard galleons bound for Seville, Goa, and the Mughal courts, defining the idea of luxury in the early modern world. Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana reveals how this gem’s story — spanning myth, conquest, and artistry – forged an invisible bridge between Colombia, Europe, and Asia, and how its light continues to reflect the soul of a nation.
From the Depths of the Earth to the Lab of Light
The soul of the book lies deep underground – in the emerald mines of Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez, where light meets stone and human endurance shapes beauty. Built on true fieldwork, this part of the project draws from visits to mining sites, conversations with local communities, and firsthand observation of the geological landscapes that have defined Colombia’s identity for centuries. To complement this human and territorial perspective, the book also includes a scientific section developed in collaboration with the Gübelin Gem Lab, one of the world’s leading authorities in gemological research.
The authors
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana is the result of a rare collaboration between five authors, George Smith, Ronald Ringsrud, Geoffray Riondet, Gérard Panczer, and Guilhem Merolle, whose paths converge around a shared fascination for the Colombian emerald, its history, and its light. Together, these five voices weave a complete narrative – human, historical, and scientific — capturing the soul of the Colombian emerald, from mine to masterpiece.
Preface and Partners
The preface of Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana is written by Ronny Totah and Thomas Faerber, co-founders of GemGenève and two of the world’s most respected jewelry connoisseurs. Their words open the book with a reflection on authenticity, artistry, and the enduring link between gems, culture, and human craftsmanship. The project was made possible through the collaboration of exceptional partners: GemGenève, Christie’s, Gübelin Gem Lab, Wilensky Minerals, Mel Fisher’s Treasures, Empavas.
The Soul of a Stone — and of a Country
Born from a profound fascination with Colombia, the book pays homage to a land where nature, history, and humanity intertwine.
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana celebrates the heart of Boyacá, home to the legendary mines of Muzo and Chivor – regions where the world’s most extraordinary emeralds are born.
Beyond the beauty of the gem lies the story of the people who extract, cut, and cherish it — the miners, lapidaries, and artisans whose hands preserve a centuries-old dialogue between nature and artistry.
The Timeless History of Colombian Emeralds
The story of the Colombian emerald is as old as the Andes themselves – a history carved in stone, shaped by myth, and transformed by human ambition. From the sacred rituals of the Muzo and Muisca peoples and the legend of Fura and Tena, to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, its destiny has mirrored the evolution of civilizations.
What was once a spiritual emblem became a symbol of global power. From the mines of Muzo and Chivor, emeralds journeyed aboard galleons bound for Seville, Goa, and the Mughal courts, defining the idea of luxury in the early modern world.
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana reveals how this gem’s story – spanning myth, conquest, and artistry – forged an invisible bridge between Colombia, Europe, and Asia, and how its light continues to reflect the soul of a nation.
From the Depths of the Earth to the Lab of Light
The soul of the book lies deep underground – in the emerald mines of Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez, where light meets stone and human endurance shapes beauty.
This part of the project was built on true fieldwork: visits to mining sites, conversations with local communities, and firsthand observation of the geological landscapes that have defined Colombia’s identity for centuries.
To complement this human and territorial perspective, the book includes a scientific section developed in collaboration with the Gübelin Gem Lab, one of the world’s leading authorities in gemological research.
The Authors
Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana is the result of a rare collaboration between five authors, George Smith, Ronald Ringsrud, Geoffray Riondet, Gérard Panczer, and Guilhem Merolle, whose paths converge around a shared fascination for the Colombian emerald, its history, and its light.
Together, these five voices weave a complete narrative – human, historical, and scientific — capturing the soul of the Colombian emerald, from mine to masterpiece.
Preface and Partners
The preface of Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana is written by Ronny Totah and Thomas Faerber, co-founders of GemGenève and two of the world’s most respected jewelry connoisseurs.
Their words open the book with a reflection on authenticity, artistry, and the enduring link between gems, culture, and human craftsmanship.
The project was made possible through the collaboration of exceptional partners: GemGenève, Christie’s, Gübelin Gem Lab, Wilensky Minerals, Mel Fisher’s Treasures, Empavas.