<P> Emeralds are green precious gemstones that are mined in various geological settings . They are minerals in the beryl group of silicates . For more than 4,000 years, emeralds have been among the most valuable of all jewels on Earth . Colombia, located on the continent of South America, is the country that mines and produces the most emeralds for the global market . It is estimated that Colombia accounts for 70 - 90% of the world's emerald market . While commercial grade emeralds are quite plentiful, fine and extra fine quality emeralds are extremely rare . Colombian emeralds over 50 carat can cost much more than diamonds of the same size . </P> <P> The Colombian departments of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, both in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, are the locations where most of the emerald mining takes place . </P>

The iconic precious gemstone of colombia is the emerald