London - A new technique that can show where an emerald was mined could help clamp down on smuggling of the gems, New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.

French experts have developed a way to use an infrared device to show where emeralds come from, without causing any damage to the stones themselves.

The technique could come to the aid of the Columbian government which is struggling to regulate its lucrative emerald industry.

While emeralds are not considered "conflict" gemstones, like diamond and rubies, the emerald trade has been linked to drug trafficking and paramilitary groups in Colombia.

"Buying foreign gemstones and passing them off as Colombian is also thought to be a popular way for local drug barons to launder money," New Scientist said.
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