Beryl (var. Emerald)

This perky box contains three gemmy, lustrous crystals with a vibrant medium-green hue and a subtle blue undertone, characteristic of Chivor emeralds. The colour is more intense than emeralds from other localities, making Chivor gems immediately recognizable. The terminations are excellent, with varying bevel styles from pointed to flat. Chivor, located 90 km northeast of Bogotá, was "discovered" by Spanish conquistadors in 1537 and rediscovered in 1896 by a Colombian mining engineer using a 300-year-old manuscript. Currently the only privately-owned emerald mine in Colombia, Chivor produces limited quantities, but the gems are renowned for their superb lustre and deep, rich coloration. This locality is arguably the source of the world's finest emeralds.