The diamond is the empress of gemstones and is found in relatively few places on earth. In ancient times, India and other Far East countries were their source. In modern times South Africa has been a center for diamond mining and New York City can lay claim as a world hub for the international diamond trade. Diamonds have fascinated people throughout recorded time and are considered to be among the most valuable things in the world.

The Inca Indians of South America possessed tremendous wealth in the form of gold. Legend has it that Manco Capac, the first emperor was sent from heaven by his father to found a city, which came to be known as Cuzco. Subsequent Inca emperors controlled an empire stretching nearly the length of South America. The Conquistadors lost no time in filling the Spanish royal coffers with Inca Gold. Today, because of agreements between governments, many articles of gold which qualify as antiquities are not allowed entry into the U.S. in an attempt to prevent their loss to the country of origin. Cuzco was a principal city of the Inca Empire and Miami is known as the Gateway to South America.

One reason an art treasure is smuggled is because the owner may have purchased it on the black market in a foreign country and doesn't want to risk it being recognized as a documented stolen work of art. In other instances, it may be an antiquity and would not be allowed legal entry because of treaty arrangements between countries. The cities on this Treasure Route are famous for their Art Treasures.

Silver was to the Aztecs what gold was to the Incas. Even today, long sunken treasure ships are recovered which never made it from Mexico and Central America to Spain. More often than not, silver is the recovered treasure. It is less known that large quantities of silver were shipped by the Spaniards from Mexico to the Philippines, where it was used to buy Chinese silk. Mexican Silver found its way to all parts of the world. Los Angeles is probably the largest American City with the most Mexican influence.

Some of the highest quality rubies are found in Burma. The Greeks and Romans separated rubies into male and female categories. According to the Ancients, male rubies were a deeper red, while female rubies were more pinkish. Rubies are among the hardest gemstones, ranking just below diamonds in hardness. Calcutta is a principal Indian city near Burma (also known as Myanmar).

Almost everybody has money on their person and in their belongings, certainly when they are traveling. So there is nothing illegal about bringing money into the country. But when the amount is $10,000 and above it must be reported. This requirement is aimed at preventing people from “laundering” money they may have come by through dishonest means, such as drug smuggling or through white collar crime. Actually, most crooks launder money by taking it out of the U.S. rather than trying to bring it in to the country. The Washington, D.C. to Zurich Treasure Route is a spoof, money is laundered through all ports of entry.