Emerald, Calcite, Pyrite

Muzo Mine, Muzo Municipality, Western Boyacá Province, Boyacá Department, Colombia

8,5×7,5×7 cm. ( Emerald 1,2×0,5 cm.)

The Emerald is one of the most sought-after minerals in the world by collectors. The specimens available on the market are few, often very expensive, small, and of medium to low quality. This specimen can be considered highly representative as it displays a single crystal of excellent shape and luster, with the intensely green typical color. Transparency and position of the emerald on the matrix, composed of white and gray calcite, are also excellent, making it highly aesthetic. This piece is complemented by the presence of several highly visible, glistening Pyrite crystals. Unfortunately photos and video hardly do it justice !

Emeralds are a variety of Beryl, a mineral composed of beryllium, aluminum, and silicate. Beryl can occur in a range of colors, including green, blue, pink, and yellow, but it is the presence of chromium and vanadium that imparts the distinctive green color to emeralds. The geological surroundings of the colombian Emerald mines mostly consist of sedimentary rocks such as shale and limestone, including some minor igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as other minerals. Emeralds typically form in areas with high pressure and high temperature conditions. They can be found in various locations worldwide, including Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Madagascar. However, the most well-known source of emeralds is Colombia, which is home to some of the most beautiful and precious emeralds in the world.

There are several major emerald mines scattered around the Boyacá department, with the majority located to the northwest near the Muzo district. These mines are exclusively used for emerald extraction. The region features challenging terrain, including hot climates, dense jungles, rivers, and large mountainous valleys, making exploration quite difficult. The Chivor mine is situated roughly 75 km slightly northeast of Bogotà, at an elevation of about 2300m above sea level.