On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate oil drop emerald for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from
gold,
18k gold and
yellow gold — can elevate any look. Find an antique version now, or shop for 11 vintage or 203 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Finding the perfect oil drop emerald may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but
4.5 carat and
5 carat versions are of considerable interest. Finding an appealing oil drop emerald — no matter the origin — is easy, but
Polya Medvedeva Jewellery,
Merkaba and
Emilio! each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Take a look at an oil drop emerald featuring
diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. See these pages for a
cabochon iteration of this accessory, while there are also
round cut cut and
emerald cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for an oil drop emerald, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and
men.
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.