Emeralds’ mysterious allure is well known. Beloved by rulers
all over the world and for many centuries, emeralds have found a place on many
crowns, tiaras, necklaces and royal rings. No wonder so many civilians desire
them for engagement rings or
emerald necklaces. Symbolizing confidence, fidelity and tranquility, they also
represent the best of mankind. Though many starlets and wealthy individuals
have worn emeralds of varying size and shape, there are a few standout pieces
that are so popular they were given names and honored by history. Here are some
of the most famous emeralds ever mined.
The Guinness Emerald Crystal
Likely one of the largest emerald crystals in the world, the
Guinness Emerald weighs in at 1759 carats. Found in Colombia, it now is part of
a large collection of captivating jewels at the Banco Nazionale De la Republica
in Bogota, Colombia. Glowing like the mythical stone Kryptonite, emerald no
doubt proves desirable to a great many people.
The Mackay Emerald Necklace
Set in an Art Deco design featuring platinum and diamond
jewels of varying shapes and sizes, the Mackay Emerald necklace weighs in just
below 168 carats and is located in the National Gem Collection. Created by
Cartier in 1931, Clarence H. Mackay gave the necklace as a gift to his wife,
Anna. She in turn donated it to the Smithsonian Institute. It’s the largest cut
emerald in existence.
The Mogul Emerald
Impressing bystanders at nearly 218 carats, the Mogul
Emerald is a rectangular cut tablet stone with unusual markings, including
Islamic prayers and decorative flowers. Fetching a stunning price of $2.2
million at a Christie’s auction in 2001, the emerald now belongs to an
anonymous buyer who inherited centuries of history with the beautiful stone.
The Crown of Andes
Created by ancient Inca settlers in 1590, the Crown of Andes
sports not one magnificent emerald, but 453 of them, all set into a large,
ornate golden crown weighing more than 100 pounds. Supposedly, the crown was
made to appeal for help from the Virgin Mary during a time of plague.
The Devonshire Emerald
Named after the 6th Duke of Devonshire, who received the
rough-hewn emerald as a gift from the Emperor of Brazil in 1831, the Devonshire
Emerald is approximately 1386 carats in weight. Naturally, it’s kept safe in a
vault in the Natural History Museum of London, but no doubt it would make a
very fetching, and heavy, gem for any style of jewelry.
Emeralds maintain their popularity for many reasons,
including their rarity, mysterious green color and powerful symbolism. But
buyers don’t need to hunt down oversized emeralds from antiquity to appreciate
their beauty. Finding a stunning
emerald engagement ring or unique
vintage emerald earrings is as easy as clicking a mouse. Discover emeralds worthy
of a museum collection at Ziva Jewels.
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