Emeralds were enormously popular with the #Mughal Court, whose emperors referred to them as “Tears of the Moon” because of their opaque transparency. One of the most treasured jewels in Indian history: The Taj Mahal Emerald. Circa 1630-1650.

A hexagonal-cut emerald, weighing approximately 141.13 carats, it is carved with stylized chrysanthemum, lotus and Mughal poppy flowers, within asymmetrical foliage, to the plain reverse and beveled border. The Taj Mahal Emerald, Cartier. Hexagonal-shaped carved tablet emerald

of 141.13 carats, circular-cut diamonds, platinum and 18k white gold. Mount by Cartier.

Image: Christie’s

Source: Reena Ahluwalia

The rulers of #Mughal India often ordered their names and titles to be inscribed on rubies, emeralds and diamonds, a practice which originated in Iran under the Timurids (1370-1507). The rectangular-cut emerald known as 'The Mogul Mughal' weighing 217.80 carats.

It's a magnificent emerald with a great back story! Carved emerald with a Shi`ite invocation; Mughal or Deccani, 1695-1696. The reverse carved all over with foliate decoration, the central rosette flanked by single large poppy flowers, with a line of three smaller poppy flowers

either side, the bevelled edges carved with cross pattern incisions and herringbone decoration, each of the four sides drilled for attachments, 2 1/16 x 1 9/16 x 7/16 in. (5.2 x 4x 1.2 cm.) Originally mined in Colombia, it was sold in India, where emeralds were much desired by

the rulers of the Mughal Empire.

Source: Reena Ahluwalia

The Shah Jahan Emerald.

North India or Deccan, dated AH 1031 (1621–22)
Inscribed in Persian: Shihab al-din Muhammad Shah Jahan Padshah Ghazi 1031 (“Shihab al-din Muhammad Shah Jahan Ghazi Emperor 1031”). Usually adorned with pious formulas, Koranic verses or mystical sayings,

emeralds – unlike spinels or balas rubies often inscribed with royal titles – were rarely engraved with the names of the sovereigns who owned them, hence the singularity of this cabochon-cut emerald bearing the name of Shah Jahan.

Image courtesy: Al Thani Collection

#Moghul Emerald Ring. sixteenth century. Emerald, with gold sleeve. Image courtesy: Al Thani Collection

And on the left, a #Moghul emerald, diamond and seed pearl necklace, Colombian emeralds, mid- to late-19th century. Image: Christie’s

Historic and remarkable #Mughal Emerald necklace. Small drill holes in the sides of the emerald, possibly used to attach the stone to a cloak or turban, also are consistent with a Mughal origin. The emerald is surrounded by round diamonds and is suspended from a double row

diamond necklace; the diamonds total approximately 50 carats. A hallmark indicates that the Mogul emerald was set into the pendant and necklace in France around the turn of the 20th century. Smithsonian, photography by Ken Larsen

The carved emerald dates from the late-17th to early-18th century, and was set within the elegant and understated mounting by Cartier in the 1920s. Photo: Sotheby's

Marjorie Merriweather Post’s platinum brooch from the 1920s, featuring a spectacular 60-ct. carved #Mughal emerald surrounded by diamonds.

An inscribed #Mughal emerald personal seal set in a diamond encrusted gold bangle and bearing the name of Major Alexander Hannay, an East India Company officer. Photo: Bonhams

#Mughal emerald and diamond sarpech. Mid-18th century. 78 emeralds are of Colombian origin. Photo: Christie's

A #Mughal carved emerald flask with stopper, India, circa 18th century. The body of faceted hexagonal form, cut and carved on each face with a floral stem, the stopper carved with eight stylised leaves and a star design to the top. Sotheby's

A #Mughal carved emerald flask with stopper, India, circa 18th century. The body of faceted hexagonal form, cut and carved on each face with a floral stem, the stopper carved with eight stylised leaves and a star design to the top. Sotheby's

A #Mughal masterpiece. The necklace features five pendant diamonds (Origin: Golconda mines, India) with emerald drops. The central stone weighs 28 cts. and is the largest table-cut diamond known. The five surrounding stones—weighing 96 cts. collectively—comprise the largest

known Matching set of table-cut diamonds from the 17th century. It is believed that the jewel once belonged to a Mughal emperor.