The Fight For The $150 Million Emerald Industry In Colombia | So Expensive | Business Insider

Colombia produces the world’s most expensive emeralds. The highest quality stones can be worth tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Miners have fought over these treasures for centuries, but in the past decade, foreign investors have modernized and consolidated the industry. The newcomers have brought safety and new jobs to the area, but there’s little left over for the communities around the mines. So what happens when foreign investors take over a $150 million industry? And can local miners gain a piece of it back?

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00:00 - Intro
01:12 - How Emeralds Form
02:22 - Fighting For Emeralds In Muzo
05:42 - Relaxing After The Voladora
06:48 - The Fight To Control Colombia’s Emeralds
09:54 - One Of The Biggest Emerald Mines In Colombia
11:11 - Artisanal Tunnel Miners
12:44 - Life As An Emerald Miner
15:40 - Modern Mines Are Changing The Industry
17:54 - Why Colombian Emeralds Are So Expensive
19:30 - A History Of Exploitation
20:43 - Life As A Guaquero
22:38 - Credits

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#colombia #emerald #businessinsider

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The Fight For The $150 Million Emerald Industry In Colombia | So Expensive | Business Insider