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.

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.

COSCUEZ, Colombia — Deep inside mountain tunnels where the heat is so intense it causes headaches, ... They have opened a difficult path for themselves in Colombia’s emerald industry, ...

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 ...

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.