The enigmatic world of gemstones is where the Earth's geological wonders transform into captivating works of art. Each gemstone, such as sapphires, peridots, diamonds, and citrine - with its unique combination of color, clarity, and brilliance, tells a story of nature's intricate craftsmanship. Beyond their intrinsic beauty, gemstones hold a profound allure, with cultural, and historical significance. Gemstones are not only believed to offer many astrological benefits, making them more than just dazzling adornments, but are also symbols of rarity, power, and timeless elegance.
Among this diverse spectrum of gems, the Rockefeller Emerald, an 18.04-carat Colombian gem, stands as one of the world's largest and most prized emeralds. Unearthed in Colombia during the early 20th century, this exceptional emerald found its way into the possession of John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the 1930s. It remained in the family’s collection until its recent sale for a multimillion-dollar sum a few years ago. Let's delve into the fascinating journey of this extraordinary emerald.
The Rockefeller Emerald is an 18.04-carat, step-cut Colombian emerald (Source: Forbes)
The Rockefeller Legacy
Raymond Carter Yard was a big deal in American jewelry design in the 1900s. He was born in 1885 in New Jersey, and his journey in the jewelry world started when he impressed the owner of a fancy jewelry company in New York City. When Yard's father died, the owner offered him a job, so he left school and moved to Manhattan.
Yard learned a lot about jewelry from his boss and climbed the ranks, making friends with influential people in America. One of those people was John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and with Rockefeller's encouragement, Yard decided to start his own jewelry business.At 37, Yard left his job and opened his shop on Fifth Avenue in 1922. The business did so well that they had to move to a bigger place just 4 years later. Yard's clients were wealthy New York families introduced by Rockefeller, which helped the business grow even more.
In 1930, Rockefeller bought a special brooch, designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, for his wife with a big, beautiful emerald. In 1948, following the passing of Rockefeller's wife, he entrusted Yard with the task of dismantling the brooch he had previously presented to her. The emeralds extracted from the brooch were distributed among Rockefeller's children. The largest one, a remarkable 18.04-carat emerald, now known as the Rockefeller Emerald, was given to David Rockefeller. Yard made a ring for David with the emerald, and it became one of his most important pieces of work.
Everything You Need to Know About the Rockefeller Emerald
1. Discovery & Origin
Originating from the renowned Colombian emerald mines, famous for producing some of the world's finest emeralds, the Rockefeller Emerald is a captivating gem of the beryl mineral family. Extracted from the exceptional Muzo mines of Colombia - known for their vibrant green hues, this remarkable 18.04-carat emerald, the birthstone for May, gained prominence in the 20th century when it joined the illustrious Rockefeller family collection. John D. Rockefeller Jr. acquired this mesmerizing gem in the 1930s, securing its place in history. The discovery in the rich Colombian mines, combined with the Rockefeller family's discerning taste, has elevated the emerald to iconic status, symbolizing both natural splendour and refined elegance.
2. Physical Properties
The Rockefeller Emerald is a truly remarkable gemstone, not only for its size and color, but also for its rarity and transparency. Emeralds, as opposed to Peridots which they are often mistaken for, are formed in hydrothermal veins and cracks in the Earth's crust. The conditions necessary to form large, high-quality emeralds are very rare.
The Rockefeller Emerald is an octagonal step-cut emerald - a classic cutting style that enhances the stone's brilliance and color. The emerald is also flanked by trapezoid and circular-cut diamonds, which add to the ring's overall elegance and sparkle. The ring is mounted in platinum, a durable and precious metal often used for high-end jewelry.
3. Color & Hue
The color of the emerald gemstone, in general, is a result of trace amounts of chromium or vanadium in the crystal structure. The Rockefeller Emerald distinguishes itself with a captivating deep bluish-green color characterized by a medium tone and perfect saturation. This unique color profile resembles emeralds from Zambia, and strikes a harmonious balance, avoiding extremes of darkness or lightness and maintaining a saturation that is neither too muted nor overly bright.
The emerald's color blends pure and vibrant green with underlying blue tones, contributing to its overall richness and luxurious appearance. These distinctive characteristics of its green colour, make the Rockefeller Emerald truly a one-of-a-kind gem.
The Rockefeller Emerald boasts a deep green shade, reminiscent of Zambian emeralds
4. Carat Weight
The Rockefeller Emerald boasts a substantial carat weight, standing as a remarkable 18.04-carat gem. This impressive size contributes significantly to its allure, capturing attention with its substantial presence. The sheer magnitude of its carat weight not only enhances its visual impact but also adds to its rarity and value. As an 18.04-carat specimen, the Rockefeller Emerald stands as a testament to the exceptional quality and size that places it among the most coveted and distinguished gemstones globally. Its weight not only adds to its historical significance but also amplifies its status as a treasured jewel in the world of gem enthusiasts and collectors.
5. Cut & Clarity
The Rockefeller Emerald, distinguished by its step-cut faceting style, exudes timeless elegance. This classic choice, defined by a rectangular or square octagonal shape with truncated corners and step-cut facets, seamlessly enhances the gem's inherent sophistication. The decision to embrace the emerald cut reflects meticulous consideration, considering the gem's unique attributes and the lapidary’s expertise.
Notably, while over 95% of emeralds in the market undergo treatments to reduce the effect of their inclusions, primarily through minor oil treatments, the Rockefeller Emerald stands as a rare exception, devoid of any such emerald treatments or enhancements. This absence of clarity enhancement makes it even more exceptional. The rarity is amplified when considering its high carat weight, rich color, and clarity, all achieved without many inclusions. Such a specimen, untreated and possessing these extraordinary attributes, elevates the Rockefeller Emerald to a truly unique status in the world of gemstones.
The Record-Breaking Sale
The Rockefeller Emerald was auctioned at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York City on June 20, 2017. This massive 18.04-carat Colombian emerald, once owned by the Rockefeller family, was expected to fetch a substantial price, with estimates ranging between $4,000,000 and $6,000,000.
With this auction, the Rockefeller Emerald found a new home with renowned jeweller Harry Winston, known for its exceptional gemstone collection and high-end jewelry creations. Harry Winston secured the Rockefeller Emerald during the auction for a historic price of $5.5 million - making it the most expensive emerald ever sold at auction. This substantial price tag reflects the emerald's rarity, historical significance, and exceptional quality. The acquisition of the Rockefeller Emerald by Harry Winston aligns with the brand's history of making significant purchases of remarkable gemstones, underlining their commitment to acquiring the finest and most exceptional pieces.
Christie’s Auction House in London
Comparable Emeralds
While the Rockefeller Emerald is arguably one of the most famous and valuable emeralds in the world, there are other exceptional gemstones that rank alongside. Angelina Jolie’s emerald earrings, valued at $2.5 million, which graced the 2009 Oscars and sparked a trend in jewelry and fashion, are a great example of high-quality emeralds adorned by celebrities. Jolie showcased her phenomenal taste in fashion and elegance with the $2.5 million emerald drop earrings that stole the spotlight at the 2009 Oscars. Worn with a sensational strapless black ensemble, the emerald earrings complemented her attire and became a fashion statement.
Angelina Jolie’s emerald earrings made headlines at the 2009 Oscars
Elizabeth Taylor's emerald and diamond set, including a bracelet, brooch, earrings, and necklace, commands attention with its whopping $100 million price tag, and is another testament to the intertwining of ornaments with love and luxury. A tiara commissioned by Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck for his wife Katherine, adorned with 500 carats of pear-shaped emeralds, fetched nearly $13 million, adding another chapter to the allure of emeralds in the world of high-end jewelry. A special mention also goes to the 'Kafubu Cluster' from Zambia, a colossal rough emerald cluster weighing over 37.5kg. This cluster of rough emeralds from Zambia broke the auction records by raising over $30 million for its owner Gemfields - who operates the largest emerald mine in the world in Kagem, Zambia.
The Kafubu Cluster is a cluster of raw Zambian emeralds weighing in at over 37.5 kg (Source: Gemfields)
In the enchanting world of emeralds, the Rockefeller Emerald reigns supreme, embodying a fusion of history, rarity, and unparalleled beauty with few inclusions. This emerald transcends the realm of mere adornment, becoming a symbol of the Rockefeller legacy and a pinnacle of gemmological excellence. Its rich, emerald green color, flawless transparency, and exceptional size make it a jewel of extraordinary value.
If you are looking for the most authentic gemstone jewelry, be it rings or necklaces – we invite you to browse through Precious Earth’s collection of these ornaments. We offer a curated selection of precious gemstones and birthstones across 20 categories, including emeralds, sapphires, citrines, and peridots.
