Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana
110,00 €
DESCRIPTION
The book Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana offers a clear, well-documented look at Colombian emeralds: history; the historic mines of Muzo and Chivor; gemology and treatments; today’s market; and a practical buying guide. Richly illustrated and written by field specialists for collectors, jewelers and curious readers, it also brings a genuinely passionate view of a market driven by remarkable people—a tribute to those who work the stone from the mines of Boyacá to the offices of Bogotá—and a complete look at the history, the community, and the future of production with emerging sites such as Las Pavas.
WHERE TO FIND THE BOOK
In addition to being available online, Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana is distributed through several leading institutions and specialist booksellers in the field of gemology. The book is available at L’Escarboucle in Paris, Librairie Letu in Geneva, and through the French Gemmological Association (AFG) in Paris.
We are honored to partner with these respected establishments, whose dedication to gemological education and expertise makes them trusted destinations for professionals, collectors, and gemstone enthusiasts alike.
EVENTS & BOOK SIGNINGS
Since its publication, Colombian Emerald / Esmeralda Colombiana has been presented at several international gemological events and conferences dedicated to the history, geology, and cultural significance of Colombian emeralds.
Among these events, the book was featured during a signing session at GemGenève, following a conference on the Colombian emerald mining regions and their unique contribution to the gemstone world.
The book was also presented in Paris during a special event held after a lecture on the Colombian emeralds recovered from the legendary Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, exploring the historical journey of these remarkable gemstones from the New World to Europe.
These gatherings provide valuable opportunities to share knowledge, exchange ideas with gemologists, jewelers, collectors, and enthusiasts, and celebrate the enduring fascination of Colombian emeralds.
Page count
364 pages
Number of illustrations
170
Language
English/Spanish
Dimensions
W 23 x L 30 x D 3 cm
Cover materials
Hardcover
ISBN
9791098151804
Weight
2.5 kg
Authors
George Smith, Ronald Ringsrud, Geoffray Riondet, Gérard Panczer and Guilhem Merolle
Page count
364 pages
Number of illustrations
167
Language
English/Spanish
Dimensions
W 23 x L 30 x D 3 cm
ISBN
9791098151804
Weight
2.5 kg
Authors
George Smith, Ronald Ringsrud, Geoffray Riondet, Gérard Panczer and Guilhem Merolle
A Journey Into the Heart of the Colombian Emerald
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.