On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of vintage colombian emeralds. Frequently made of
Gold,
18k Gold and
Platinum, these items were constructed with great care. Find a collection of 57 vintage versions or 12 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 20th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of vintage colombian emeralds made by
Art Deco jewelers — as well as those associated with
Contemporary — are very popular. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by
Emeralds Maravellous and
OGI Ltd are often thought to be among the most beautiful. There are many
emerald cut,
oval cut and
pear cut vintage colombian emeralds for sale. There aren’t many items for
men in our collection of vintage colombian emeralds, as most of the options available are for
women.
Prices for vintage colombian emeralds can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $600 and can go as high as $180,000, while vintage colombian emeralds, on average, fetch $6,546.
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.