A MUGHAL EMERALD CRYSTAL SET IN ENAMELLED MOUNT WITH SEED-PEARL STRING NECKLACE, NORTH INDIA, 18TH CENTURY

In Mughal India emeralds were associated with the fertility of nature and were believed to aid good vision. The Mughals also believed emeralds like other precious gems had strong astrological associations; the time at which a stone would be engraved and when it should then be worn was governed by the relative position of the planets. The present example is rare in that it was left in its crystalline form and mounted as such, showing off its size. During the Mughal period emeralds were mined in Columbia and reached India via Spanish merchants as trade goods. The first emerald mine was at Chivor, discovered in 1555 and another later at Muzo in 1560. A strong trade developed with the Mughals, who purchased the largest and finest quality emeralds.