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Emeralds (Contains Photos)

An extract from The Colombia Diary 2003
Tuesday 5th August

We had an early lunch and then headed into the town centre to go shopping. We went round the commercial district near Plaza de Bolivar, full of markets and independent traders. Wares of every imaginable kind can be found in this area. Mami and Liz are looking for jewellery mainly.

Liz wants a typical Pre-Columbian figure, and specifically one with an emerald. She also wants a ring, and Mum just generally looks out for anything gold with emerald.

Gold and Emeralds are the two precious stones and ores found in Colombia and for which the country is famed for. The Pre-Columbian tribes who lived in these lands before the Spanish invaders worshipped gold and fashioned their lives around it, using it from everything to statues, to basic day to day tools. It was this abundance in Gold which lead the Spanish Conquistadors to consider Lake Guativita which is outside Bogotá as one of the possible locations of the legendary El Dorado, the city of Gold.

The upper floor markets don't really have anything so we go for a stroll in Plaza de Bolivar. There is a political rally going on outside the Presidential Palace, in support for a Mayoral candidate. The riot police were in full force in the Square, which was quite scary but obviously you can't take chances. They were mainly lining the steps to the Palace, they were wearing thick black armour and helmets and looked like fat beetles wielding machine guns.

We headed through the square towards the old colonial district La Candeleria. Just off the square is the Church of the Immaculate Conception. As if a reminder of the ever present undercurrent of violence that grips Colombia, the priest is outside the church with a bucket, moping up a pool of blood. People walk past not paying attention to what I sadly assume is an all to familiar scene.

Tio Jaime knows a number of emerald merchants, so we head to a tall plain looking building which is teaming with lots of little offices full of characters who are the experts in their field. I remember coming here last time, when I got my ring which contains the three different types of gold. We go to the top floor and talk to an old balding man who apparently loves his office plant more than he loves his wife. He's quite a character, and eagerly shows us different stones. Liz likes several of the Pre-Columbian pendants, which depict typicos inlaid with emeralds. After much haggling over the price, with lots of weighing, and measuring and banter, and polishing and tapping of calculators, Liz purchases two of them. She also buys a beautiful gold ring that has eight emerald jewels. She's very bling bling!

Still in La Candeleria, we wonder through the little market stalls offering all manner of traditional touristy items, ponchos, chivas, keyrings, instruments, pottery, alcohol etc. Looking for presents, Liz decides to buy three little Chivas. I'm not sure what presents I'm gonna buy so I just keep my eye out for anything I think might do.

We continue to shop until it starts to get dark. We up the hill toward Quinta de Bolivar, to buy some postcards. Luckily I made a list of how many I need. We spend a good twenty minutes in there, I end up with eighteen postcards, Liz has about twelve.

As we're talking about what kinda things we'd like to buy for ourselves, I suggest I might like a Colombian football shirt. As we're walking along, we are surprised to run into Cesar, the family lawyer and old family friend. We exchange pleasantries, and he invites us to come with him one day for a walk up Monserrate. He's helping mi prima Elvira at the moment with her divorce. He also points us in the direction of Plaza de Santander, near the Natural History museum as a place to find football shirts.

The light's fading as we look round the market there. We find a stall selling shirts for all the different teams, but I want the international strip. As always we haggle over the price. Liz buys a football scarf, and he throws in a cap for free.

We go for coffee before heading home. The waitress is a very beautiful Latina, with dark eyes, gorgeous golden skin, and jet black hair that cascades down her back. Tio Jaime catches me smiling at her, so he introduces us, and then attempts to negotiate a marriage contract. Mum joins in and says I'm an eligible English bachelor. It's quite embarrassing really, especially as my Spanish isn't that good, so attempts at being smooth and charming are already set back. Never mind eh? I'd forgotten how beautiful Latin women were.

Taxi home, some dinner and reading then bed. Tio Ricardo has invited us to dinner on Thursday, as for tomorrow no plans so far.

By Cockney Colombian on May 28, 2006, 04:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

arthur brode says on May 28, 2006, 07:46:

cockney colombian do you rememember the name or location of the building where you bought the emeralds.my dad will be here in june and wants to buy emeralds for my mom.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Gator says on May 28, 2006, 10:01:

Try Here. Emerald Trade Center (Edificio Emerald Trade Center) downtown on Av.Jimenéz/Cr 7. Try a store , I guess it is still there, “JULIETH”
Usually better prices than the malls and a ton of stores. First check the mall stores to get and idea of availability and prices Might I suggest you visit this site for some excellent information before you venture out into the world of emeralds.

http://www.esmerald.com/

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BUY "ON THE STREET."

"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arthur brode says on May 28, 2006, 21:13:

thanks for the advice,Gator i will go there in june.
art

http://www.calirentals.net/

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