Colombia is home to the world’s most expensive emeralds, with the highest quality stones fetching tens of thousands of dollars per carat. The emerald industry has a long history of conflict and competition among miners, but in recent years, foreign investors have stepped in to modernize and consolidate the industry. While this has brought safety and new job opportunities to the area, it has also left little room for the local communities surrounding the mines to benefit from the industry’s $150 million revenue.
The video explores the dynamics at play in the Colombian emerald industry, from the formation of emeralds to the intense competition among miners in the region of Muzo. The film delves into the struggle for control over Colombia’s emeralds, showcasing one of the largest emerald mines in the country and the work of artisanal tunnel miners who continue to extract emeralds through traditional methods.
Life as an emerald miner is depicted in the video, highlighting the challenges and risks involved in working in the industry. Modern mines are shown to be changing the landscape of the emerald industry in Colombia, while the high cost of Colombian emeralds is explained through a history of exploitation and the role of guaqueros in the industry.
Overall, the video provides a fascinating insight into the complexities of the $150 million emerald industry in Colombia, shedding light on the impact of foreign investment and modernization on both the industry and the local community. The fight for control over the valuable emerald resources continues to play out, with local miners striving to regain a piece of the industry that has been transformed by outside influence.
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Video “The Fight For The $150 Million Emerald Industry In Colombia | So Expensive | Business Insider” was uploaded on 02/08/2025 to Youtube Channel Business Insider