Buying emeralds in Cartagena or Medellin

bartolo_colon says on Jan 10, 2008, 17:32:

There is a mine direct emerald discounter in Boca Grande (CTG) , I cant remember the name, it is surrounded by a white security fence, ask at your hotel I am sure they will know the place. My buddies from Florida spent 40K in there and said they where getting about a 50% discount, upon returning to FL, appraisal put the discount closer to 60%! Good luck and be carefull, I was scared to death walkin out of the store, had a taxi driver friend waiting, and watched the street for 20 minutes before I let them come out! Also, they didnt declare them upon returning back to FL, I am not sure but I imagine the tax/tarriff might be pretty stiff, they still joke about being international, emerald smugglers, LOL.

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Jan 10, 2008, 21:49:

I didn't come back to the US with 40K worth of emeralds, but I came back with a few. I bought them at the same shop at the Tequendama by the way. Anyway, I declared them, and I was not questioned, nor was a word even mentioned about them when I entered the US. I am pretty sure most customs agents aren't too worried about a few gems entering the US - especially if you are up front about them.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ujay says on Jan 10, 2008, 21:51:

there is a guy here from the usa ,lee wasson ,been selling emerald here over 30 years ,a real nice guy ,you should give him a call,
pm me if you want his number.

http://www.jukelightning.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slguy says on Jan 10, 2008, 22:53:

there is NO import duty on loose gems in the US. Maybe you need to declare their value- but no duties are imposed.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ferritt says on Jan 10, 2008, 23:59:

having personally transported emeralds back to the US from Colombia, I can atest that your likelyhood of problems increases with A) declaring items and B) indicating that they are for resale. But truely, dealing with customs isn't the problem; its doing it in sufficient time that you make your connection that causes things to get expensive. (Despite what others have said, there IS a duty for Emeralds, but it's not signifigant; my last import of 14k was around $25. There is no duty for Green Beryl, the techical name for Emeralds, but trust me... you won't fool anyone.)

Best bet is to talk to somebody who knows the game and avoid the commisionistasl like the plague. Do a Google search for "emeralds" and chat up the fella who appears right after the wikipedia entry.

Mejor que nunca!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slguy says on Jan 11, 2008, 07:17:

Odd. I have a letter in my files from US Customs stating that unmounted loose stones carry no import duty. Diamonds, emeralds, whatever. Maybe something's changed.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beisbollover says on Jan 11, 2008, 07:38:

As a gemologist, I can tell you that many people come back from Colombia with synthetics. They are impossible to detect, even for a gemologist, without a microscope. I have even seen certified emeralds from Colombia that are synthetics. There is no real certification for emeralds in Colombia like we have here with the GIA or AGTA. So the paperwork you get there is not worth the paper it is written on.

By the way the synthetics are grown in a lab and can even be cut to look like crystals. So beware. Only deal with reputable, known dealers or retailers. If it is too good to be true, it is. No gringo goes to Colombia and buys emeralds at a better price than they could of here. They are waiting for you!

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Jan 11, 2008, 07:45:

Well, at least the booze and chucha is real in Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kentuckygreg2 says on Jan 11, 2008, 12:32:

Well, at least the booze and chucha is real in Colombia.

Keepin it real...word!

Love and happiness!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

El Polo says on Jan 11, 2008, 12:35:

word!!! LOL

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 11, 2008, 13:37:

Don't be so sure about that, Morphus.

These days almost anything can be grown in a lab.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Saltador says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:00:

Yea, I've read articles about the oils and stuff they rub on the emeralds, etc. It's totally buyer beware. I personally wouldn't buy any emeralds while I was there, but that's me...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beisbollover says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:01:

the oil is cool....totally accepted....its synthetic polymers that are like a glue and hold the stone together. Without it the stone would fall apart....in any case, thats still better than a synthetic stone that costs $50 bucks to make.

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:02:

I've been collecting untreated emeralds for more than 30 years. There is no way that a synthetic emerald can pass for a legitimate untreated Colombian emerald, because of the latter's characteristic "jardin" (3 phase inclusions).

Beware of treatments!!

Emerald price depends on the buyer, whatever the seller thinks he can get.

I have posted some of my collection at http://geocities.com/UntreatedColombianEmeralds

More details on your plans would be of general interest, I think. You're very likely to lose your shirt.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beisbollover says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:03:

a synthetic stone can pass for a natural one if your untrained and don't have access to a microscope.

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beisbollover says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:05:

great pics by the way!

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:10:

"If you are untrained" Well, "A fool and his money are soon parted." Loupe is a must, AFTER an eyeballing in daylight. I just love emeralds, hate to sell 'em! Feel free to email me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:13:

"a mine direct emerald discounter " what a crock!
Virtually 100% of those emeralds are treated with Gematrat or Opticon.
That's why they're sold at sea level all over the Caribbean, take 'em up in an airplane and watch 'em bleed!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beisbollover says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:35:

what is your e-mail?

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on Jan 11, 2008, 14:38:

Big emerald exporters need to go thru Ministerio de Minas, I do know a guy in the emerald business for long time he buys both raw and cut, give them little white evenlopes to "comisionistas" and in the afternoon they comeback with evenlopes sealed and with offers.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ujay says on Jan 11, 2008, 16:48:

you always check them in day light ,hard to tell if they have been put under pressure ,but a year or so later it will start to show,lots of things they can do to the stone here,
best buy from some one you know ,as i say lee is the best .

http://www.jukelightning.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Jan 12, 2008, 10:57:

My email is portal2012 at hotmail.com

0 funny, 0 helpful.

gold digger says on Jan 12, 2008, 20:40:

green beer bottles make great gringo emeralds!

0 funny, 0 helpful.