It is not usually found with fine jewelry at the time of the Spanish Inquisition. But in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution precious stones, it is a precious necklace with diamonds and emeralds.

This line is spectacular double diamonds and emeralds ending in a chandelier of emeralds. Unfortunately, there is little information on the origin of this chain. The large Colombian emeralds and diamonds, the most likely reduction in India in the 17th Century. That would one of the earliest examples of cut gems in the collection of the Smithsonian. In fact, there are only legends about this chain. Show that sometimes used by French and Spanish royalty. In the 20th Century by the Maharajah of Indore, whose son sold the chain to Harry Winston bought in 1947. Winston later sold the chain to Mrs. Cora Hubbard Williams of Pittsburgh. It was bequeathed to the Smithsonian in 1972.

Emeralds are a form of glass known as beryl. Beryl crystals are usually clear, but if they impregnated with chromium or vanadium, to achieve various degrees of green. The purest green are the rarest emeralds and many people prefer an emerald that has a blue-green.

Before 16 Century, the only known occurrence in the Egyptian emerald mines of Cleopatra. But were discovered after emeralds in Colombia, was the "gold standard" emeralds. Colombian emeralds have been discovered by archaeologists among the objects of the tribes, like the Incas, Toltecs, Mayas, Aztecs, and the lesser-known Chibcha Indians. Emeralds are among the rarest gems and can be more expensive per carat than even the most beautiful diamonds! This is a hard mineral with a Mohs hardness of 7 or 8 (compared to 10 in a diamond). Although most of the emeralds in Africa, Russia and Africa are found, there were discoveries of emerald in North Carolina!