Emerald Jewelry
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Emerald Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Enamel, Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Empire Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s Brazilian Empire Emerald Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Empire Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Emerald Jewelry
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Malachite, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Colombian Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Art Nouveau Emerald Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s Emerald Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique and Vintage Emerald Jewelry and Watches
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.