Stone
Colombian Emerald
Colombian emeralds are especially distinctive for their geological origin. Major deposits such as Muzo, Coscuez and Chivor occur in Colombia's Eastern Cordillera, where emeralds formed from hot saline fluids reacting with dark sedimentary rocks. Chromium and vanadium create the green color, while the relatively low iron found in many Colombian emeralds can contribute to the vivid, luminous appearance for which the origin is renowned. As with all emerald sources, color and appearance overlap, so geographic origin is a separate gemological determination from visual quality.