The World’s Largest Emeralds

Prepare to be spellbound by the world’s most magnificent emeralds! From colossal intricately carved vases to awe-inspiring uncut gemstones, these emeralds stand as a testament to the breathtaking beauty and grandeur of nature.
Explore the captivating Emerald Unguentarium, a colossal vase crafted from a 2,860-carat emerald, proudly showcased in Vienna, Austria. Marvel at the artistic brilliance of the Catalina Emerald sculpture, featuring a 1,550-carat emerald cradled by a bronze statue. Embark on a journey through a treasure trove of emeralds, including the illustrious Guinness Emerald Crystal, the legendary Duke of Devonshire, the exquisite Isabella Emerald, and an array of other extraordinary gems.
These exceptional creations will undoubtedly leave you in awe of the astounding wonders that the natural world has to offer. Delve into the world of emeralds and let Melogems be your guide to these remarkable marvels.

The Largest Named Emeralds

Emeralds are renowned for their beauty and captivating green color. These gemstones have been treasured throughout history and continue to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore some of the largest named emeralds in the world, each with its own unique story and significance.

The Emerald Unguentarium

One of the largest named emeralds is the Emerald Unguentarium, a remarkable emerald vase weighing 2,860 carats (20.18 ounces). Carved in 1641, this emerald masterpiece is currently displayed in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna, Austria. The Emerald Unguentarium is not only a testament to the incredible size of emeralds but also showcases the craftsmanship and skill of the artisans who created it.

The Catalina Emerald

The Catalina Emerald is another extraordinary emerald with a unique story. Formerly known as “1492,” this emerald sculpture features a 1,550-carat carved emerald held by a bronze statue of an indigenous woman. The statue wears an 18k yellow gold crown adorned with over 27 carats of diamonds and stands on an intarsia base made from lapis lazuli, malachite, gold-veined quartz, and sugilite. The Catalina Emerald is a stunning representation of the artistry and creativity that can be achieved with gemstones.

The Guinness Emerald Crystal

The Guinness Emerald Crystal is an uncut emerald weighing an impressive 1,759 carats (12.4 ounces). This emerald was sourced from the Cosquez mines in Colombia and is now part of the collection held by the Bank of the Republic of Colombia. The Guinness Emerald Crystal is a testament to the natural beauty and size that emeralds can achieve in their raw form.

The Duke of Devonshire

The Duke of Devonshire is a remarkable uncut emerald weighing 1,383.93 carats (9.76 ounces). This emerald was discovered in Muzo, Colombia, and now resides in “The Vault” at the Natural History Museum in London, UK. The Duke of Devonshire is not only significant for its size but also for its historical and cultural significance.

The Isabella Emerald

The Isabella Emerald is a stunning cut emerald weighing 964 carats (6.80 ounces). This emerald is owned by Archeological Discovery Ventures, LLC, and has an intriguing history as a shipwrecked treasure. The Isabella Emerald is a testament to the enduring allure and fascination that emeralds hold for people around the world.

The Gachalá Emerald

The Gachalá Emerald is an uncut emerald weighing 858 carats (6.05 ounces). It was discovered in Colombia and now resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. This emerald is highly esteemed for its size and exceptional color, showcasing the natural beauty and rarity of emeralds.

The Patricia Emerald

The Patricia Emerald is a significant uncut emerald weighing 632 carats (4.46 ounces). It was discovered in Colombia in 1920 and named after the mine owner’s daughter. This emerald can be found in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and history of emeralds.

The Mogul Mughal Emerald

The Mogul Mughal Emerald is a carved emerald weighing 217.80 carats (1.54 ounces). It was sold at Christie’s for $2.2 million in 2001 and now resides in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. This emerald exemplifies the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship that can be achieved with gemstones.

Unnamed Emeralds

In addition to the named emeralds, there are also several remarkable unnamed emeralds that deserve recognition for their size and beauty.

One unnamed emerald crystal from Colombia weighs a staggering 7,052 carats (3.1 pounds) and is privately owned. Considered priceless, this uncut emerald crystal showcases the immense natural wonders that can be found in the Earth.

Another impressive uncut emerald is a 1,965-carat (13.9 ounces) Russian emerald on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. This emerald exemplifies the global reach and diversity of emerald deposits.

There is also an unnamed emerald weighing 1,861.90 carats (13.13 ounces) from Hiddenite, North Carolina. Privately owned and discovered in 2003, this emerald is currently the largest known emerald discovered in North America.

Five unnamed large emerald crystals from Muzo, Colombia, range in weight from 220 carats (1.55 ounces) to 1,796 carats (12.67 ounces). Stored in the vault of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia, these emerald crystals highlight the richness of emerald deposits in Colombia.

A carved Mughal emerald weighing 430 carats (3.03 ounces) was sold by Fred Leighton for several million dollars, showcasing the enduring value and desirability of emeralds in the market.

The al-Sabah Collection from Kuwait features many remarkable emeralds, including a 398-carat (2.79 ounces) emerald in hexagonal form and a 235-carat (1.66 ounces) emerald bead. These exceptional emeralds highlight the luxury and prestige associated with these gemstones.

An exquisite 17th-century Mughal wine cup made of emerald, gold, and enamel was sold at Christie’s for £1.79 million in 2003. This cup serves as a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship that can be achieved with emeralds.

Lastly, a carved Mughal emerald weighing 161.20 carats (1.14 ounces) fetched $1.09 million at Christie’s in 1999. This emerald showcases the enduring allure and value of emeralds in the market.

More of the World’s Largest Emeralds

In addition to the named and unnamed emeralds mentioned earlier, there are a few more noteworthy emeralds that deserve recognition.

The Bahia Emerald, discovered in Bahia, Brazil in 2001, is an enormous stone weighing 840 pounds. It reportedly contains over 180,000 carats of emeralds, including the largest single shard of emerald ever found, described as “the size of a man’s thigh.” The Bahia Emerald has had a tumultuous journey, with ownership disputes and intense speculation surrounding its history.

The LKA Emerald, discovered in the Hiddenite area of North Carolina in 1984, was once considered the largest intact emerald found in North America. Weighing 1,686.3 carats, it currently ranks as the second-largest emerald. The Stephenson Emerald, found in the same region in 1969, weighs 1,438 carats. Both of these gems were displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in the 1990s and serve as remarkable examples of the natural wonders found within the Hiddenite area.