Bogota, Jun 18: The largest emerald in the world was displayed for the first time in its native country, Colombia, on Friday.
The stone, which weighs around five pounds (2.27 kilogrammes) and has up to 15-thousand carats, was found 12 years ago in the Muzo mines in Boyaca, 75 kilometres (47 miles) north of Bogota.
The stone has been kept in its original form.
"It is an unique piece, it does not make any sense to cut it when it's such a large piece, so big that it is the largest ever found in the world," said Jamie Rojas, President of the Association of Emerald Producers of Colombia.
According to Rojas, a one carat emerald can be sold for between 1-thousand and 100-thousand US dollars, depending on its condition and quality.
With up to 15-thousand carats, the "Fura" emerald's value is not even measurable.
It has been displayed in exhibitions across the world but never in Colombia due to security reasons - up until now.
Colombia, Brazil and Zambia are the world's main emerald exporters. AP
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