Handcraft Coral 14 Karat Yellow Gold Onyx Emerald Diamonds Drop Necklace
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
natural coral,emeralds,round onyx and diamonds Necklace total weight 72 grams Diamonds weight 0.85 karat
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,658Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style Pink Coral White Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
White Modern Round Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 1.00 Carats of Modern Round Cut Emeralds. These
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcraft Pearls 18 Karat White Gold Emeralds Ruby Diamonds Cuff Bracelet
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Australian gold and white pearls,emeralds,rubies and diamonds. Bracelet total weight 211 grams Diamonds
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sacchi Oval Emerald and Diamonds Gemstone 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Sacchi Gioielli
Located in Rome, IT
goldsmith workshop located in the center of Rome. Handmade in Italy (Rome). Emerald weight: 0.59 Carat
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,518Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Drop Cut Red Coral Yellow Gold Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
have 0.18 Carats of White Rose Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 0.35 Carats Modern Round Cut Emeralds
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling S...
18K Gold Sapphire Emerald and Diamonds Earrings and Ring Set
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
: 2.51 carat Pear Shaped emeralds: 1.12 carat Brilliant cut diamonds (F-G, VVS-VS): 2.67 carat Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Onyx, White Stones, Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Rose Gold and Silver Earrings.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
emeralds. These earrings were totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and they are in perfect
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Handcraft Citrine 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Ruby Emerald Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
citrine,ruby,emeralds and diamonds. Diamods weight 1.11 karat Ruby weight 4.68 karat Emerald weight 0.73
Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,329Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Aquamarine Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Modern Round Cut Emeralds. These Earrings have 2.40 Carats of Pear Cut Aquamarines. All our Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterl...
Ebony Skull Diamonds Sapphires Emeralds 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
choice and setting of the precious stones that adorn the crown. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
AIG Certified 4.40 Ct Zambian Emeralds, Ceylon Sapphires and Diamonds on Gold
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
Amazing earrings in 18k gold with natural emeralds from Zambia ct 4,40 , Ceylon vivid blu sapphires
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
$1,329Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style Handcrafted White Diamond Emerald Turquoise Yellow Gold Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
. These Earrings have 0.60 Carats of Round Cut Emeralds. These Earrings have Cabochon Cut Natural
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterli...
$3,037Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Turquoise Yellow Gold "Horses" Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
2.20 Carats of Emeralds. These Earrings have Natural Turquoise. All our Earrings have pins for pierced
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcrafted 18kt White Gold Rigid Bracelet with Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies, and
Located in Bergamo, BG
intricate floral-inspired design. Featuring natural emeralds, cabochon-cut sapphires and rubies, and
Diamond, Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
$3,227Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau White Diamond Emerald Coral Turquoise Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
White Modern Round Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 0.10 Carats of Emeralds. These Earrings have 0.40
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Peridot, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yel...
$52,000Sale Price|20% Off
IGI and GIA Certified 13 Carat Pear Cut Green Emerald Diamond Earrings
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
certified pear cut green emeralds, weighing approximately 13 carats in total. These exquisite emeralds are
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,470Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style White Diamond Oval Cut Emerald Onyx Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Brilliant Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a central Natural 1.60 Carats Oval Cut Emerald. This Ring has also
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Mm White Pearls, Emeralds, Diamonds, Onyx, Rose Gold and Silver Earrings.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Dangle earrings in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with diamonds and emeralds along the
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
South-Sea Pearls, Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold Stud Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
part surrounded by emeralds and, externally, diamonds. These earrings were totally handmade by Italian
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
$18,987Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style White Diamond Cushion Cut Emerald Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Brilliant Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a 10.66 Carats Natural Zambia Cushion Cut Emerald. This Ring is
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
13 Mm Pearls, Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, 14 Kt Rose Gold Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
as body and an emerald on the head. In the middle a sapphire and, as pendant, a pearl. These earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Chandelier Earrings with Blue Sapphires, Emeralds and Diamonds with White Gold
By Crivelli
Located in Roma, IT
Chandelier Earrings with Blue Sapphires, Emeralds and Diamonds with White Gold. Stones are set on
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,696Sale Price|20% Off
Mediterranean Red Coral White Diamond Emerald Enamel Yellow Gold Frogs Bracelet
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Treated Emeralds. This Bracelet has circa 18.00g of Handcut Mediterranean (Sardinia, Italy) Red Coral
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling ...
18 Karat Gold Turtle Brooch with 6.33 Carat Beaded Emeralds & 2.92 Ct. Diamonds
By Giovanne
Located in New York, NY
. His entire shell is set with beaded Emeralds that have been finished with round bezel set Brilliant
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamonds, Emeralds, Red Coral, Sapphires, Rubies, Rose Gold and Silver Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, enriched with diamonds of 0.12 ct, color sapphires, rubies and emeralds from ct 0.65, faceted coral g 2,7
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Silver
Sapphires Diamonds Emeralds Rubies 18 Karat White Gold Cockatil Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
yellow and blue sapphires,rubies,emeralds and diamonds. Ring handmade by our artisans, it reflects all
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,990Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style White Diamond Tanzanite Emerald Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Tanzanites. These Earrings have also 0.50 Carats of Modern Round Cut Emeralds. These Earrings have also
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Coral Diamonds Emeralds 18 Karat Yellow And White Gold Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
, emeralds in an intense green are carefully placed around the flower’s petals, giving the ring a freshness
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$72,000Sale Price|20% Off
UGS Certified 5.7 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring 18k Gold
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite emerald and diamond ring features a bright green octagonal shaped emerald at the
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Ruby Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
have 0.18 Carats of White Rose Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 1.80 Carats of Emeralds. These
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Si...
Vintage Multi-Gemstones Choker Necklace 18k Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 11mm Multi-Gemstones Choker Necklace 18k Italy 16 Inch. Very luxurious choker featuring
Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Amethyst, Coral, Emeralds, Diamonds, 14Kt Rose Gold and Silver Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
emeralds as eyes, a pink coral on the neck and an amethyst as body. On the wings, diamonds. The chain is
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
$2,088Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Turquoise Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
White Modern Round Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 0.70 Carats of Emeralds. These Earrings have also
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Stick Pin South Sea Pearl 19mm Emerald Diamond Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The stick pin with South Sea pearl emerald and diamonds features a 19mm pearl atop a corolla set
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,373Sale Price|20% Off
Handcrafted Diamond Pearl Turquoise Emerald Yellow Gold Hot-Air Balloon Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
White Modern Round Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 2.00 Carats of Oval Cabochon Cut Emeralds. These
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Oriental Pearl, ...
1970s 18 k gold and emerald cut diamond and sapphire toi et moi ring
Located in London, GB
emerald cuts. The diamond is F-G color and VVS clarity. Set in 18 k gold the ring is Italian made dating
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Handcraft Onyx 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Emeralds Ruby Drop Necklace
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
onyx,diamonds,emeralds and ruby Necklace total weight 12.30 grams Diamonds weight 0.04 karat Emeralds
Diamond, Onyx, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,987Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style 4.30 Carat White Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Brilliant Cut Diamonds. This Ring has 4.00 Carats of Oval Cut Emeralds. This Ring is available also with
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,140Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Style 0.20 Carat Emerald Pearl Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
1stdibs catalog worldwide. This Ring is made of 9K Yellow Gold. This Ring has 0.20 Carats of Emeralds
Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,518Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau White Diamond Emerald Ruby Aquamarine Red Coral Yellow Gold Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Carats of White Rose Cut Diamonds. This Ring has 0.30 Carats of Emeralds. This Ring has 1.30 Carats of
Aquamarine, Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yello...
$100,000Sale Price|20% Off
GRS Certified 14 Carat Vivid Green Oval Emerald MINOR OIL Diamond Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
cushion green emerald and Diamond Ring Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 14 carats
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Handcraft Coral 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Sapphires Emeralds Stud Earrings
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
natural Momo coral,sapphires,emeralds and diamonds Earrings total weight 11.90 grams Diamonds weight 0.23
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sambia Emerald Brilliant Pendant with Chain 2.49 ct 0.51 ct IGI AIG Certified
Located in Viena, Viena
made in a traditional Italian company in Valenza, Pendant with Zambian emerald with IGI expertise
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pearl, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, 14k White&Rose Gold Earingsr
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
South sea pearl (14mm) surrounded by a crown of beautiful diamonds, rubies, emeralds and blue sapphires
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White ...
$16,496Sale Price|34% Off
3.23 Ct Diamonds, 1.33 Ct Oval Emerald, Gold and BlackEnamel cocktail ring
Located in BARI, IT
This fascinating ring is a pleasure for the eyes and for the touch. In fact, it has a wonderful design and perfect manufacturing. When you look at it, you enter in a whirlwind of lig...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Enamel
$76,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 17 Carat Sugarloaf Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18KT
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
GIA Certified 17 Carat Sugarloaf Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat White Gold Immerse
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$48,000Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 3.55 Ct. Heart Cut Colombian Emerald Minor Oil Double Halo Ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
Refined and romantic, this elegant ring features a GIA-certified 3.55 carat heart-shaped emerald of
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,088Sale Price|20% Off
Art Nouveau Emerald Ruby Blue Sapphire Turquoise Yellow Gold Drop Cat Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Oval Cabochon Cut and Cabochon Cut Emeralds. These Earrings have 0.10 Carats of Modern Round Cut Rubies
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,314Sale Price|25% Off
Art Deco Style 2.60 Carat White Rose Cut Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
have 0.10 Carats of White Rose Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 2.50 Carats of Natural Emeralds
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2.92 Karat Aquamarine Emerald Cut 0.21 Karats Diamonds 18 Karats White Gold Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection 2.92 Karat Aquamarine Emerald Cut 0.21 Karats Diamonds 18 Karats
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Emerald South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The emerald and South Sea pearl earrings feature a flower design on the ear. It is set with 5.35
White Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White...
1.4 cts Emerald 18K Rose Gold Asymmetric Cosmic Design Stackable Cocktail Ring
By Beatrice Barzaghi Milano
Located in Milan, IT
1.4 cts Emerald 18K Rose Gold Asymmetric Cosmic Design Stackable Cocktail Ring. The Egle
Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
$2,090Sale Price|20% Off
White Diamond Emerald Ruby Mediterranean Red Coral Peridot Yellow Gold Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
have 0.20 Carats of White Rose Cut Diamonds. These Earrings have 0.60 Carats of Emeralds. These
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Peridot, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow G...
$1,708Sale Price|53% Off
Emerald Brilliant Earring Studs Chain Style very trendy 0.70 0.60ct Length 28 mm
Located in Viena, Viena
very trendy chain earrings with plugs in the shape of emerald drops total ca. 0.70 ct, beautiful
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rossella Ugolini 18k Yellow Gold 1 Carat Emeralds 1.20 C Black Diamonds Man Ring
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini 18K Yellow Gold 0,55 Carat Emeralds 0.59 carat Black Diamonds Band Man Ring Size
Black Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
$2,660Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Style White Diamond Oval Cut Emerald Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Brilliant Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a 1.35 Carats Natural Zambia Oval Cut Emerald. This Ring has 0.20
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
South-Sea Pearls, Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds, 18Kt White Gold Earring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and they are in perfect conditions. Diamonds 0.43 ct Emeralds, Rubies
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
No one liked emeralds and emerald jewelry more than Elizabeth Taylor (or her alter ego, Cleopatra). Emeralds were first discovered in Egypt around 330 BC. The stone’s name originated from the ancient Greek word for green, “smaragdus.” According to the Gemological Institute of America, “Emeralds from what is now Colombia were part of the plunder when 16th-century Spanish explorers invaded the New World. The Incas had already been using emeralds in their jewelry and religious ceremonies for 500 years. The Spaniards, who treasured gold and silver far more than gems, traded emeralds for precious metals. Their trades opened the eyes of European and Asian royalty to emerald’s majesty.”
There are numerous myths attributed to the emerald’s spiritual powers, like placing an emerald under your tongue will allow you to see the future. But be careful not to swallow the birthstone for May, or that future won’t be so bright!
There are many important (read: large) emeralds in museum collections around the world. The Patricia Emerald, named after the miner’s daughter, is a 632-carat dihexagonal (or 12-sided) crystal that was discovered in Colombia in 1920 and now resides at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington has in its possession the Hooker Emerald, a 75.47-carat Colombian stone. That emerald had been acquired in the 16th or 17th century by Spanish conquistadores and shipped to Europe. It later belonged to Abdul Hamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1876–1909), who wore it on his belt buckle. Purchased at auction by Tiffany & Co. in 1911, the Hooker Emerald was set into a tiara and featured in the New York World’s Fair “House of Jewels” exhibit in 1940. Today, it is part of a brooch, also designed by the jewelry house.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage emerald jewelry and watches that includes emerald rings, emerald necklaces and other accessories.