The most expensive emerald jewellery in history

Throughout history, emerald jewellery has been worshipped and sought after. From the Incas in South America to the ancient markets of Europe and Asia, emerald trade can be traced back thousands of years.

Adored for their magnificent jungle-green colour, emerald rings and other jewellery types have long been considered prize possessions. In fact, some cultures throughout history even believed that emeralds contained mystical powers that would allow them to see into the future. Whatever the reason, people have loved emeralds enough through the ages to pay a huge amount of money for particularly exquisite pieces of emerald jewellery.

The most expensive pieces of emerald jewellery in the world are exceptional to behold, and owning such an impressive piece is simply unfathomable to most of us! Read on to discover some of the grandest and expensive pieces of emerald jewellery ever created…

1. Angelina Jolie’s Emerald Earrings – $2.5 Million

If there was ever an Oscars look that stole the show, it was Angelina Jolie’s ensemble in 2009. Pairing an astounding large pair of 115-carat emerald drop earrings with a sleek, strapless black dress and an elegant swept-back hairstyle, Jolie set a whole new standard of Oscars outfits. This ensemble instantly started a new wave of emerald enthusiasm amongst celebrities and other jewellery lovers that is still going on today.

2. Emerald and Diamond Brooch – $4.3 Million

One of the most extravagant pieces of emerald jewellery to go on sale at Christie’s was an exceptional emerald and diamond brooch worth $4.3 million. This mesmerising brooch is set with one of the largest emeralds ever to be sold, weighing an unbelievable 378.22 carats, alongside an equally stunning yellow diamond which weighs 40.43 carats and six additional colourless diamonds.

3. The Rockefeller Emerald – $5.5 Million

The impressive Rockefeller Emerald first came to auction (at Christie’s) in 2017 and it was anticipated to be one of the most expensive emeralds ever sold. Although this emerald didn’t top the charts in the end, it still sold for an incredible $5.5 Million. Originally, this spectacular emerald was set in a Van Cleef & Arpels brooch which was bought as a gift from John D. Rockefeller for his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller in 1930.

The emerald in question is a breath-taking 18.04-carat Colombian emerald that has since been set into a platinum ring.

4. The Emerald and Diamond Tiara- $12.76 Million

An incredible emerald and diamond tiara, which was commissioned by German Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck in 1900 for his second wife, Katherine, has gone down in history as one of the most expensive emerald jewellery items ever to be created, selling for nearly $13 million. This spectacular tiara is set with 11 pear-shaped polished emeralds totalling 500 carats in addition to countless colourless diamonds.

5. Elizabeth Taylor’s Emerald Jewellery Suite – $100 Million

Finally, we have the most impressive set of emerald jewellery known throughout history. It’s no secret that Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor adored emeralds. In fact, she was famed for her breath-taking collection worth around $100 Million.

Out of her full collection, the emerald brooch by Bvlgari that is the star of the show. This platinum brooch alone, which features a 23.46-carat Colombian emerald and 12 pear-cut diamonds, sold for $6.5 Million.

Elizabeth Taylor’s full emerald set which included the brooch along with a necklace, a ring, and a bracelet, was gifted to her (along with many other stunning pieces) by her husband Richard Burton.

There’s no doubt about it, there have been some truly stunning pieces of vintage emerald jewellery created and sold over the years, but of all the pieces and collections out there, these five are certainly in a league of their own.

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