Editors

Muzo’s Efforts to Expand Emerald Appreciation

EditorsAug 01, 2018

Muzo’s Efforts to Expand Emerald Appreciation

Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator catches up with the Colombian miner about its new designer collaborations.

20180727_Victor-Velyan_copy.jpg
Victor Velyan earrings set with 42.54 carats of Muzo emerald and 3.22 carats of diamond in 18- and 24-karat gold ($64,900)

Colombia has long been known for producing some of the finest, highest-quality emeralds in the world.

And while miner Muzo Emerald of course embraces that, the company wants to build an appreciation for all grades of Colombian emeralds, including the commercial production that might have a softer green hue or be slightly more included. 

When I was in Las Vegas for the jewelry trade shows earlier this year, I met Gabbi Harvey, who does business development and designer outreach for Muzo Emerald. Harvey and I were both visiting the Couture booth of Dana Bronfman, one of the designers with whom Muzo is partnering as part of an effort to get a divergent group using its emeralds.

Wanting to get more information about Muzo Emerald and its plans, Harvey and I met when we were back in New York, where she further explained that the designer collaboration was a new project the company had undertaken in order to get more of its emeralds in the market.

“Muzo is so synonymous with … the best of the best, but there is other material, and everyone can own an emerald,” she said.

Muzo does still produce some fine quality emeralds but they are expensive because they are so rare, representing only a small percentage of the mine’s production. Its current mechanized mining, though, allows for a steadier supply of commercial-grade emeralds and more regular production overall. 

In the year ahead, Muzo will look to find a market for every grade of its gemstones, taking time to find businesses that share a “similar company ethos” with which to partner since it puts so much focus on corporate and social responsibility, and showcase all the mine produces. 

The designer partnership from the traditionally quiet miner is a big part of that, especially in creating awareness for the commercial material. Muzo wants to showcase these gemstones in a different light and build that end of the market because the company sees a lot of opportunity, Harvey said. 

For the collaboration, they are using a mix of beads, slices, cabochons and tumbles to showcase the full run of the mine’s production.

Muzo is partnering with designers both emerging and established, including Lisa Kim, Dana Bronfman, Melissa Spencer and Eden Presley. The collaboration also includes Victor Velyan, who exhibited three pieces set with Muzo emeralds at Couture, and Coomi, which is planning a VIP event with Muzo for the

collection’s upcoming release in the fall.

The collaboration also brought about a pretty big celebrity moment for Muzo earlier this year, when singer Ricky Martin sported Wilfredo Rosado’s sugarloaf cabochon Muzo emerald ring (which later was featured as a National Jeweler Piece of the Week) on the Golden Globes red carpet.

Muzo is now in the planning stages with a few more brands like Ara Vartanian, Mizuki, Noor Fares, Daniela Villegas and Alice Cicolini.

The 20 designers on the Muzo collboration roster all have very different aesthetics, finding ways to mix their signature styles with the Muzo emeralds to best show off both.

Harvey told me they’re loving the results.

“It’s nice to see how everyone looks at this material in a totally different way.”

And it seems like the designers are having fun with it too. 

“When Gabbi reached out and had me in for a play date with the stones they are hoping to introduce, I was ecstatic,” designer Gwen Myers of Eden Presley told me. “I hadn’t worked with or seen emeralds in this capacity before. The color is gorgeous. The fluid nature of them is also super-enticing for me. These are stones with stories to tell. I hope that comes through in the pieces I created using the material.”

Check out a few pieces from the designer collaboration below.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Pippa Small Myanmar Fish Cluster
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

LA Trading Day
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LA

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephanie Gottlieb Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut Diamond

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
International Colored Gemstone Association logo
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of Directors

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Whiskey Barrel Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring Giveaway

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRF

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

Columbia Gem House Winza sapphires and rubies
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, Rubies

The new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.

Gemfields Faberge
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50M

Acquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.

Shipping containers on a ship
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump Says

President Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.

Jacquie Aiche Thunderbird Slab Collection Campaign
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the Thunderbird

The “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better Headshot

Columnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.

Vigil for slain Wheat Ridge, Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado Jeweler

Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.

Lisa Bridge
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge Jeweler

The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.

Bethenny Frankel
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience Show

The Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.

Brilliant Earth Jolie Mosaics engagement ring
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales Rise

The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

Jewellers for Hope charity event
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of Fundraising

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bezel Bangle
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel Bangle

The brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.

Black and white photo of Tony Bennett near a microphone
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony Bennett

The first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Sapphire page in Chatham’s “Ultimate Lab-Grown Catalog”
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown Gemstones

The catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.

Rembrandt Blue Jay, Hummingbird, Cardinal Bird Charms
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird Charms

The company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.

Shipping containers on a ship
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says

An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Again

The jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.

Smith & Son Jewelers storefront Springfield Massachusetts
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location

Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.

Zahn-Z Beluga Spout Grey Spinel Ring and Beluga Spout Mandarin Garnet Ring
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ Collection

Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy