Muzo single stones

MUZO’S COMMITMENT TO EMERALDS This summer, Muzo Emerald Colombia debuted a multi-faceted programme to promote Colombian emeralds. As part of its 10th anniversary, Muzo has planned a series of initiatives that puts the spotlight on its emeralds, while educating consumers about its ‘Mine to Maison’ philosophy. GABBI HARVEY, head of business development and designer outreach for Muzo, sheds light on the exciting new ways the company is going about its business. By Smitha Sadanandan

Muzo has been one of the first employment environment to internationally funded emerald the Boyacá region of Colombia. miners that started out in 2009. Our challenges have been the Tell us about the journey. What key challenges did Muzo have to obvious ones – how to follow the surmount? governmental regulations and laws, GH: While we actually didn’t take while doing our best to be highly full ownership of the Muzo mine sensitive to our surroundings. until 2014, The Muzo Companies entered the Colombian market in What makes these emeralds 2009. Since then we have worked different and unique? to establish one of the most GH: Firstly, Muzo emeralds are all productive and world-renowned one-of-a-kind; no two gemstones mines in the Colombian town are exactly alike. They are also of Muzo, which is located in the imprinted with thousands of years region of Western Boyacá. We have of history, which makes them remained committed to bringing incredibly special. One important modern mining extraction methods point of differentiation is that to Muzo, through technology- Muzo emeralds are produced driven craftsmanship, transparency, under legal, environmental and Muzo Heritage collection, mine-to-market traceability for humane working conditions. This Royal Orb earrings consumers and a safe and fair makes our Colombian emeralds

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This year as part of the 10th anniversary, Muzo launched its own line of jewels – Heritage Collection – at JCK Luxury in Las Vegas. What inspired the collection? GH: Muzo has announced the release of its own consumer-facing, shoppable website: MuzoStore. com. The site features original Colombian emerald designs from Muzo Heritage collection - the Heritage collection, which was Atocha necklace derived from the Private Treasure of Muzo Emerald Colombia. Inspired by a cache of Colombian not only unique for their beauty the sectors of activity from emerald emerald treasures that were but also for their responsible extraction to distribution in recovered from a 1622 shipwreck, mining origin – so buyers can feel compliance with best practices in the collection incorporates old- confident in their purchase. the natural and social environment world techniques to create a in which we operate. Our multiple sophisticated line of modern-day How is Muzo empowering women certification policy tracks every masterpieces. on the team? stone from raw crystal to polished GH: We currently operate with gem. Thanks to computer Is the Heritage collection designed more than 900 staff members, technologies integrated into the in-house? and we are continually growing, mine, Muzo is the only company GH: Yes – there are five unique which supports the local economy. in the world that is able to issue an sub-collections – Atocha, We are especially proud to have in-house certificate of origin and Chakana, Muisca, Royal Orb and a significant number of women traceability (certified ISO 9000). Verity – and each collection has its working with our mines. Women For each crystal, this certificate special approach to tell the story were long excluded by the states the date, place and time of of the Colombian emerald. The patriarchal system in the area but extraction. It also provides details Heritage collection is made up of thanks to Muzo they have been of the rough and final gemstone, 120 pieces, and unearthing the given new opportunities to work and indicates whether the emerald emeralds required more than a year both directly and indirectly with has been treated with oil or resin. of production, as each gemstone our organisation. Our core values Each Muzo emerald is crafted was meticulously selected to include a strong commitment to by our sophisticated cutting and ensure uniformity throughout. We the community and equal chances polishing operation called (EDLA) actually sorted through more than for both genders. in the Free Trade Zone in Bogota. 150,000 carats before arriving at We control our distribution the 15,000 carats of emeralds that Muzo has a ‘block chain’ to guarantee traceability: track the channels by working with partners, were incorporated into the finished rough, where it is cut and sold. who share our same high standards collection. From there, the pieces Could you elaborate? and therefore, we focus on were assembled by highly skilled GH: Muzo has secured its whole creating value downstream for our craftsman from some of the world’s production chain, integration of all production. top ateliers. n

Muzo Heritage collection, Muzo Heritage collection, Muisca bracelet Chakana ring

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