Emeralds documents the beauty of the gemstone

‘Emerald’, a book published by Violette Editions, is dedicated to this gemstone that is 20 times rarer than a diamond. Through a unique and beautiful collection of images and essays, the book narrates every aspect of this gemstone, from mining, to history, to its appreciation in jewellery etc. This is the first in a series of books on rare gemstones to be produced by the publishing house.

The book captures the love that prominent personalities displayed for the emerald, including celebrities and royals, from Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor to Queen Elizabeth II and the Maharani Gayatri Devi.

Jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy has depicted selected and significant emerald artefacts and designs in the world, many being previously unseen pieces from private, public and royal collections. Historic creations are represented alongside modern jewellery houses, including Cartier, Boucheron, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Shaun Leane, Leo De Vroomen, Grima and many more.

Also, Emerald takes a turn to the cultural history of the emerald trade from mine to market, capturing ancient sites, working mines and collectors and dealers across four continents, with a focus on Colombia, India, Zambia and Egypt.