Colombia produces the world's most expensive emeralds — a treasure that's been fought over for centuries.

NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a former U.S. diplomat, says he wanted to change that.

NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a former U.S. diplomat, says he wanted to change that.

Both Colombian officials and industry experts are also working to stem the image that Colombia’s emerald market is impossible to enter and controlled by mafia-like groups.

Colombia’s emerald industry has had trouble cutting links with organized crime and violence. Decades after the “green wars” over control of the mines in eastern Colombia, the United States said ...

Colombian emeralds are known around the world for their quality and the best can be sold for thousands of dollars, though most people in the industry aren’t wealthy.

A strongman who kept order in Colombia’s wild emerald industry, Victor Carranza lived through two assassination attempts and lots of violence. Toby Muse on the kingpin’s crazy life.

Colombia's emerald industry used to be far more dangerous, with frequent explosions inside the mines — and gun battles on the outside. The business was controlled by family clans, ...

Colombia's emerald industry used to be far more dangerous, with frequent explosions inside the mines — and gun battles on the outside.. The business was controlled by family clans, some of which ...

MUZO, Colombia — Although he has helped transform Colombia's emerald industry, long a source of violence and environmental damage, former U.S. diplomat Charles Burgess admits that he got into the ...

NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a former U.S. diplomat, says he wanted to change that.