Increased demand for luxury jewelry, traceability and certification of origin boost opportunities for a sector that plans to continue growing in 2026.
Colombian emeralds continue to consolidate their position as one of the most exclusive and appreciated products in the country in international markets. With a share of close to 55 percent of the global market and about 70 percent of known world reserves, Colombia maintains a leadership that few domestic industries can exhibit on an international scale.
The weight of this sector in foreign trade is significant. According to figures cited by Fedesmeraldas, during 2025 olombian emerald exports would have reached 116 million dollars. In addition, about 95 percent of the stones extracted in the country are destined for foreign markets, which is equivalent to about 3.8 million carats that reach buyers around the world every year. The United States, Hong Kong and Thailand are among the main destinations of these gems, which then continue their journey to other high-value markets such as China, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.
This scenario highlights the work of Colombian companies that have strengthened the international presence of national precious stones through strategies focused on quality, traceability and trust of buyers.
One of those companies is Aria Gems, led by María Inés Hincapié, whose export operation has exceeded 8.7 million dollars. The executive maintains that the preferences of international buyers have evolved and today the valuation criteria go far beyond the size of the gem.
“International markets increasingly value the reliable origin of the gem, the gemological certifications when the piece requires it, the jewelry design that accompanies the emerald and the traceability processes that generate trust and support in the buyer,” says Hincapié, who maintains that the objective of his company is to bring the Colombian emerald to new countries not only as a jewel, but as a symbol of Colombian identity, tradition, value and pride,” said Hincapié.
According to the business woman, attributes such as an intense and uniform green color, the quality of the glass, transparency and a carefully elaborated carving are today determining factors to differentiate a stone in an increasingly demanding market.
The transformation of the sector also involves formalization. Hincapié, a native of Muzo, Boyacá – considered the world capital of emeralds, began her career as a guaquera in the mines of the region and later evolved into the commercialization and export of precious stones. Today, her company participates in international jewelry and gemology fairs, bringing Colombian emeralds to luxury showcases in Asia and North America.
The prospects for the industry are favorable. According to projections by the consulting firm Dataintelo cited by the company, the global emerald market would grow 6.1 percent this year, driven by the demand for luxury jewelry and the interest of consumers in stones with certified origin, especially in the United States and Asia.
This panorama opens up new opportunities for Colombia, which in addition to maintaining its leadership in production and reserves, seeks to strengthen processes of traceability, formalization and generation of added value, warns Hincapié.
The challenge for the industry will be to take advantage of the growing international appetite for high-quality gems and turn that natural advantage into a sustainable growth platform for the coming years, she insists.