Art Deco Diamond and Emerald Ring by Cartier, Paris, circa 1925 – Photo courtesy of Siegelson

Prized for thousands of years, these remarkably historic stones with their original antique cuts exhibit an unparalleled deep green color and rarely appear on the market. Most treasured by Indian Mughal emperors and maharajas, emeralds symbolized power and wealth while also possessing mystical powers. During the sixteenth century, the finest specimens came not from the ancient Indian mines but from rich deposits in Colombia discovered by the Spanish. These ‘old mine’ emeralds represent the emerald to the highest degree of perfection.