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Jan Sochor Photography

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Emerald mining (Colombia)   [55 images]

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  • A miner shows a rough emerald found in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners search for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners fight over the emerald containing mud thrown away from the deep mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners wash the emerald containing mud in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner shows a rough emerald found in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners wait in front of the fence to get a job in the emerald deep mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Poor shacks made from scrap wood and sheetmetal grow in the hills around emerald mines of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A young boy eats sausage after finishing his workshift in the emerald mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A young boy pushes a stone to find emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner looks at rough undersized emeralds he found during a week of work in the emerald mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Emerald cutters cut and polish gemstones in their lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Fine emeralds after the lapidary process ready to be sold in a lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Emerald street market on the Avenida Jimenez in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A rough emerald before the lapidary process in a lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald seller shows fake emeralds on the street in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter checks out a gemstone he is working on in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter grinds a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter controls a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter polishes a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter controls a gemstone he is working on in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter polishes a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter polishes a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter polishes a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald cutter checks out a gemstone in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald businessman shows fine emeralds to be sold in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald businessman shows fine emeralds to be sold in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • An emerald businessman shows fine emeralds to be sold in the lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Fine emeralds after the lapidary process ready to be sold in a lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Fine emeralds after the lapidary process ready to be sold in a lapidary workshop in the centre of Bogota, Colombia, 31 March 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Poor shacks made from scrap wood and sheetmetal grow in the hills around emerald mines of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Poor shacks made from scrap wood and sheetmetal grow in the hills around emerald mines of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Rough undersized emeralds called "morrallas" from the emerald mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners search for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A young boy eats sausage after finishing his workshift in the emerald mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A young boy after finishing his workshift in the emerald mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners search for emerald gemstones in the mine in Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner searches for emerald gemstones in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner pushes a stone to find emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 20 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Women miners wait behind the fence to get a job in the emerald deep mine in Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners fight over the emerald containing mud thrown away from the deep mine in Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners wash the emerald containing mud in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners wash the emerald containing mud in the mine in Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners wash the emerald containing mud in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A miner shows a rough emerald found in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A child plays with a car toy while his mother is having a break in the mine of Muzo, Colombia. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Open cut excavation in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • Miners searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A boy miner checks out visually the emerald bearing gravel in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A boy miner searches for emeralds in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

  • A Colombian miner shows a rough emerald found in the mine of Muzo, Colombia, 21 April 2006. Despite of a persisting civil war conflict and related difficulties Colombia still produces 60 percent of world emerald production. Due to the special clarity and deep vivid green color, gemstones from Muzo are considered the most beautiful emeralds in the world. There have been thousands of treasure hunters coming to Muzo during last decades. They have been searching for a fortune, infatuated by so-callled "green fever". The major part of "guaqueros" (emerald miners) spent long years in the hot and wet unhospitable jungle working hard, they contracted malaria or tropical diseases but they still kept their dream about magic green stone alive.

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