Around 1600, Spanish colonial efforts expanded emerald mining in regions like present-day Colombia, exploiting rich deposits for European markets and trade. These operations integrated indigenous knowledge with colonial labor systems. The gem trade boosted economic activity and colonial wealth, influencing global luxury markets and exploration patterns.

The discovery of Cuban emerald deposits in the 1600s featured prominently in colonial chronicles and poetry, with writers capturing the allure and exploitation of natural resources in their narratives. Poets like José Martí later reflected on the cultural significance of these resources in shaping national identity.