Final answer:
Colombia has been known as the mecca for emeralds since the time of the conquistadors and continues to be a leading supplier of these gems globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the arrival of the conquistadors, Colombia has been the mecca for emeralds. This South American country is renowned for its high-quality emeralds and has a long history of emerald mining.
In Colombia, the mining of emeralds dates back to long before the Spanish conquest, but it became particularly prominent during and after this period. Today, Colombia is still a leading provider of these precious gems to the global market.