The Mogul Emerald. Carved 217.8 carats emerald pendant, Mughal, India, 17th century. In the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar. Photo courtesy: Christie's 

Mogul emerald is a magnificent carved emerald, with a rich history, belonging to the period of the last of the four great Mughal Emperors of India, dating back tolate 1690's. The dates corresponds to the period of rule of Emperor Aurangzeb. It is one of the largest of all inscribed emeralds known to exist in different collections and the only known carved and dated emerald of the classic Mughal period.

Mogul Emerald is of Colombian origin with a dark green color weighing 217.80 carats. The emerald has been deliberately cut by the Indian cutters and polishers of the period, as a table-cut, rectangular shaped gemstone, with two parallel flat rectangular faces, with intricate floral designs on one side and beautiful Arabic calligraphy in the Naksh script on the other. The dimensions of the emerald are 52 x 40 x 12 mm, and the mid-point of each of the four sides of the rectangle has been drilled for attachments, so that the gemstone could be mounted and worn as a talisman, with the Arabic inscriptions facing outwards.The inscription represents an invocation of the Shia sect of Islam invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the most merciful and compassionate, of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the twelve Imams that followed after him. 

Reverse side of the Mogul Emerald. Photo courtesy: Christie's

The reverse side of the emerald-tablet is carved with floral and foliate decorations, typical of the naturalistic decoration of the period, reflecting the Mughal love of nature. The decoration consists of a central rosette, with a single large poppy flower with basal foliage leaves on either side, situated above and below, with a line of three smaller poppy flowers with basal foliage leaves,  on either side. The edges of the rectangular faces are carved right round with cross pattern incisions.
  
After the Mogul period, the emerald most probably would have entered the private collection of a connoisseur of gemstones in India, in whose family it remained, until Alan Caplan, acquired the renowned gemstone during one of his many trips to India where it was offered for sale.

Mogul Emerald remained with Alan Caplan until his death in 1998, and was sold by his heir in the year 2001, when the stone was entrusted to Christie's for the sale. The gemstone fetched a record price of 2.2 million dollars at this auction. It is reported that the gemstone is now in the Museum of Islamic Art of the Independent Emirate of Qatar.