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Spectacular lustrous gemmy deep sky blue Euclase crystal . Locality: Gachalá mining district, Cundinamarca Department, Colombia . Collection: FMF Minerals Gallery / Photo: Mineral Masterpieces

India is famed for its sumptuous jewelry made by people of diverse religions and cultures. Mughal (1526-1857) jewelry often featured emeralds from Colombia, rub...ies from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Burma (Myanmar), and Golconda diamonds. The 18th century gold horn pendant seen here was created for a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore and features a 125 carat Colombian emerald engraved in Arabic with salutations of peace. The 17th century Hand of Vishnu (image 2) contains emeralds and diamonds set in enameled gold with a Sanskrit inscription on the back. The 18th century necklace and earrings (image 3) are set with roughly 150 carats of Golconda diamonds and 47 Colombian emerald beads and once belonged to the family of the Nizam of Hyderabad. These jewels are testaments to the magnificence of the Mughal era and were on exhibit at GIA in Carlsbad as part of its Centuries of Opulence: Jewels of India exhibit in 2017. The exhibit, which showcased 50 pieces on loan from a private collector, was organized by GIA Museum curator Terri Ottaway and exhibit designer McKenzie Santimer. Learn more: https://bit.ly/35qulQF Photo: Robert Weldon/ GIA. Courtesy of a private collection See more