Gachalá Emerald

Gachalá Emerald
The Gachala Emerald is one of the largest emeralds in the world
Type of stoneEmerald
Weight858 carats (171.6 g)
Dimensions5 centimetres (2.0 in)
ColorEmerald green
Country of origin Colombia
Mine of originGachalá, Cundinamarca
Discovered1967
Original ownerHarry Winston
OwnerSmithsonian Institution
Gachalá municipality in the Department of de Cundinamarca, Colombia

The Gachalá Emerald, one of the most valuable and famous emeralds in the world, was found in 1967, in the mine called Vega de San Juan, located in Gachala, a town in Colombia, located 142 km (88 mi) from Bogota. Gachalá Chibcha means "place of Gacha."[1] Presently the emerald is in the United States, where it was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by the New York City jeweler, Harry Winston.

Symbolism

The emerald was named in honor of Gachalá, the municipality of Cundinamarca where it was found.[1]

Characteristics

  • Shape: Emerald
  • Color: Intense green
  • Carats: 858 Carats[1]
  • Weight: 172 grams (6.1 oz)
  • Size: 5 centimetres (2.0 in)
  • Year of extraction: 1967

Conservation

The emerald is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It was donated in 1969 by the American jeweler Harry Winston, and is labeled under number 122078 in the catalog.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Dynamic Earth @ National Museum of Natural History". Archived from the original on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2012-12-06. Ficha técnica de la Esmeralda Gachalá de la página web oficial del Smithsonian Institution of Washington, (Consulted on 06-19-2011)
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