【Colombia】A Colombian Woman Leads Emerald Exports to the US and Asia with Sales of US$8.7 Million

A Colombian Woman Leads Emerald Exports to the US and Asia with Sales of US$8.7 Million
María Inés Hincapié, CEO of Aria Gems, Drives Internationalization and Traceability of Gemstones
Colombian Woman Who Exports Emeralds
Photo: Supplied
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Redacción El Tiempo
03.06.2026 15:26
Updated: 03.06.2026 15:26

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Businesswoman María Inés Hincapié, CEO of Aria Gems, currently leads the export of Colombian emeralds to strategic markets such as the United States, Hong Kong, and Thailand, recording sales exceeding US$8.7 million.
Through this commercial drive, the precious stones continue their distribution from these logistics hubs to final destinations including China, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and India.
This progress is part of Colombia’s consolidation within the mining-energy and luxury jewelry sectors, leveraged by certified origin, industry formalization, and high international demand for quality gems.

Photo: iStock.
According to data from the National Federation of Emeralds of Colombia (Fedesmeraldas), the country holds approximately 70% of the international reserves of these precious stones and represents 55% of the global market, a figure also supported by sector reports from ProColombia.
The national industry is predominantly oriented toward foreign trade, as around 95% of total production is destined for export.
This equates to an annual flow of about 3.8 million carats sent to international markets. In financial terms, Colombian emerald exports reached US$116 million during 2025.
Photo: Supplied to EL TIEMPO
The trajectory of María Inés Hincapié began in her place of origin, the municipality of Muzo, located in the department of Boyacá and formally recognized as the world capital of emeralds. Hincapié started her work experience in the sector as a “guaquera” (artisanal miner) in the region’s mines, initially dedicated to direct extraction and subsequent commercialization of the minerals.
Over the years, the businesswoman structured and consolidated the firm Aria Gems. Currently, the organization regularly participates in specialized international jewelry and gemology fairs, successfully positioning Colombian products in high-end commercial showcases in North America and Asia. This business development has been accompanied by management focused on formalizing processes and transforming an industry that has historically had high male participation and labor informality.

Prospects for the sector remain positive. Data from the consulting firm Dataintelo projects a 6.1% growth in the global emerald industry for 2026. This increase is supported by the rebound in luxury jewelry consumption and consumer preference for gemstones with origin certifications, offering an expansion scenario for Colombian exporters who implement value-added standards.

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