When the New York Liberty clinched their long-awaited first WNBA championship in October 2024, they didn’t just make history — they inspired a masterpiece. The team’s iconic seafoam green and black color palette became the foundation for one of the most uniquely symbolic championship rings in sports.

Designed by Jason of Beverly Hills in collaboration with Brooklyn-based twin sisters Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur, the ring features rare paraíba tourmalines and striking black diamonds — stones chosen not just for their beauty, but for what they represent.

“Color was everything,” explained Soull Ogun to bkmag.com. “The Liberty’s seafoam green opened the door for us to incorporate paraíba, which is incredibly rare, vibrant and powerful. And the black diamonds? That’s New York grit. That’s every hard-fought win.”

In a moment 28 years in the making, the New York Liberty finally secured their first WNBA championship in 2024. And earlier this month, the team celebrated that historic achievement at Barclays Center in Brooklyn — not only by raising a banner to the rafters, but by unveiling an impressive memento of an epic season.

“This wasn't just a ring, it was a responsibility,” said Jason Arasheben, founder of Jason of Beverly Hills. “The New York Liberty waited 28 years for this moment, and we knew the jewelry needed to reflect every ounce of that journey.”

The twins’ artistic vision helped him do just that. Known for their storytelling in fashion and jewelry, Dynasty and Soull brought a deeply personal and symbolic lens to the project.

Soull Ogun told bkmag.com that the design began with the Liberty’s torch logo, which was “made to spill over the edge” of the ring — turning a familiar icon into something bold and reimagined. But the centerpiece of their vision was the leaf rising from concrete, a poetic tribute to the Liberty’s resilience.

“Concrete is such a heavy, dense material, and then you have this delicate leaf of life growing through it,” she said. “That’s our story, being from 'The Concrete Jungle,' and I feel like that’s the story of the New York Liberty.”

The symbolism runs deep throughout the ring. The leaf features 28 paraíba tourmalines (a perfect match to the Liberty's official seafoam green team color), representing the team’s 28-year journey. The “Y” in “NY” holds 11 black diamonds for the Liberty’s playoff victories, and 32 points of black diamond acknowledge their regular-season wins. A single diamond set in the WNBA championship trophy honors their inaugural title. More than six carats of white diamonds reflect the six years of ownership by Joe and Clara Wu Tsai — visionary leaders behind the franchise's revival.

Adding a unique twist, the ring’s top opens to reveal hidden crown earrings, designed by Arasheben. “This is the first time we've done earrings inside the ring,” Jason noted. The idea, according to Soull, was to give players an everyday token of their triumph — “a piece of that championship they can wear all the time.”

The inside of the ring holds even more personal touches: engraved jersey numbers of the 2024 roster, a miniature basketball court detailing each playoff series, and the Liberty’s rallying cry—"We All We Got! We All We Need!"

From its textured surface to the cracks representing the team's challenges, every inch of the ring was meticulously crafted. Dynasty and Soull, whose work often explores transformation and resilience, made sure this piece honored not just a win, but a journey.

“A diamond in the rough, also growing from the concrete,” they said. “That’s the Liberty. That’s Brooklyn.”

As CEO Keia Clarke noted during the unveiling, “This ring is a tribute to every fan, every player who believed in the New York Liberty and shared in our unforgettable 2024 title run.”

Indeed, the ring is more than a memento — it’s a symbol of perseverance, unity, and a dream realized in the heart of Brooklyn. It honors the past, celebrates the present, and gleams with the promise of more championships to come.

Credits: Images by Jason of Beverly Hills, courtesy of The New York Liberty.

A small gold ring set with a red gemstone — likely a garnet — has been unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David, providing new insight into the coming-of-age rituals of ancient residents. Dating back approximately 2,300 years to the Early Hellenistic period, the ring is the second of its kind discovered in less than a year from the same archaeological site, further supporting theories of its symbolic role.

Excavated under the guidance of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and Tel Aviv University, the artifact was discovered beneath the floor of a large residential building believed to have housed affluent inhabitants. Alongside the ring, archaeologists uncovered a cache of jewelry, including bronze earrings, a gold earring adorned with a horned animal motif and a delicately decorated gold bead.

What makes this latest discovery especially compelling is the context in which the ring was found. Researchers believe that such jewelry was purposefully buried as part of a rite of passage, a Hellenistic-era custom wherein betrothed girls would place their childhood belongings — including treasured adornments — into the foundations of a new home. This symbolic act marked a profound transition from childhood into adulthood, reinforcing identity, familial roles and cultural belonging.

"The fact that two such rings were discovered in close proximity and from the same archaeological stratum significantly strengthens our assumption that these were part of a known cultural practice,” said Dr. Marion Zindel, the IAA archaeologist who examined the ring. “They may have belonged to children or adolescents preparing for marriage and adult life.”

Fashion during the Early Hellenistic period reflected a blend of Eastern and Mediterranean influences, largely due to the expanded trade networks following Alexander the Great’s conquests. Garnets and other vibrantly colored gemstones set in gold were prized for both their beauty and symbolic value, indicating a family's wealth and cosmopolitan tastes.

Rivka Lengler, an excavator who was present during the discovery, described the moment the ring was found: “At first, we thought it might be modern — something dropped recently. But the craftsmanship and the context made it clear: this was ancient. It was a deeply moving experience. You really feel history in your hands.”

Credits: Recent ring discovery, photo by Eliyahu Yanai, City of David. Previous ring discovery, photo by Asaf Pery, City of David.

This June, one of the most storied gems in auction history will once again take center stage as Christie’s presents "The Blue Belle" — a 392.52-carat sapphire and diamond necklace — at its Magnificent Jewels sale in New York. Scheduled for June 17 at Rockefeller Center, this historic event marks a rare reappearance of the world’s most valuable blue sapphire, a little more than a decade after it stunned the jewelry world with a record-breaking sale.

Discovered in 1926 in Pelmadula, Ratnapura — Sri Lanka’s famed “City of Gems” — The Blue Belle is a cushion-shaped Ceylon sapphire of exceptional color and clarity. The gem’s journey is as rich as its hue: originally owned by renowned Colombo-based jewelers O.L.M. Macan Markar & Co., it was sold in 1937 to British industrialist Lord Nuffield.

Rumors swirled that the sapphire was intended as a gift for Queen Elizabeth on her coronation day in May of that same year, but the presentation never occurred, and The Blue Belle quietly vanished into private collections.

It wasn’t until 2014 that The Blue Belle — then known as the "Blue Belle of Asia" — reappeared, captivating collectors at Christie’s Geneva. That year, the necklace shattered records by achieving $17.3 million, easily eclipsing its presale estimate of $6.9 to $9.9 million and becoming the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction.

As Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, memorably announced at the time, “The private collector… is now the new owner of the most valuable sapphire in the world.”

In 2025, The Blue Belle returns to the spotlight with a more conservative estimate of $8 million to $12 million. Despite the lower forecast, the significance of the sapphire remains undiminished.

Kadakia emphasizes, “Sapphires of this caliber are extraordinarily rare. This remarkable stone must be considered among the most prestigious colored gemstones to appear on the market in many years.”

The necklace itself is a masterwork: The Blue Belle is the centerpiece of a majestic diamond necklace featuring nine tassels adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds. Each tassel terminates in a larger oval-cut diamond.

Reports from leading gemological institutes, including SSEF and Gübelin, have certified the sapphire as untreated, confirming its natural brilliance and further elevating its rarity.

Credits: Images courtesy of Christie's.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs that feature jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we’re revisiting Lauv’s poignant 2018 single, “Bracelet,” a tender tribute to a relationship that slipped away but left behind one unforgettable keepsake.

In “Bracelet,” Lauv uses a simple piece of jewelry to capture the complexity of heartbreak. The song opens with a stark confession: “I used to have you, now I have this bracelet / I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it / Until I don’t need to / Until I don’t need you.”

It’s a moment of emotional honesty that sets the tone for the track. Lauv isn’t ready to let go, and the bracelet becomes a symbol of both memory and mourning. He even contemplates throwing it away, yet always pulls back.

“That don’t mean that I don’t need to keep you wrapped around my wrist,” he sings, highlighting how jewelry often becomes an emotional anchor in the aftermath of lost love.

“Bracelet” appears as the 15th track on Lauv’s conceptual album I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist), a collection of coming-of-age songs written during his time in New York City. Lauv described the project as an evolving narrative, chronicling his early adulthood, first serious relationship and personal growth.

“This is my life, it’s a playlist,” he told Billboard. “It’s an ongoing thing… piecing together this chapter of my life when I was in New York.”

Born Ari Staprans Leff in San Francisco in 1994, Lauv’s stage name is a tribute to his Latvian heritage (“Lauv” means “lion” in Latvian) and a nod to his own name. Ari means “lion” in Hebrew, and fittingly, he’s a Leo. His musical journey began early with piano and viola lessons, though he gravitated to guitar by age 11 and later studied jazz and electronic music.

As a student at New York University’s music technology program, Lauv began to hone his emotional, minimalist pop style. A difficult breakup in 2014 catalyzed his songwriting, and by 2015 he had released his debut EP Lost in the Light. His career took off quickly and, by 2017, he was opening for Ed Sheeran. Lauv is currently touring South Korea and Taiwan.

Lauv’s music often explores themes of love, identity and vulnerability, and “Bracelet” is a perfect example. With its blend of synth-driven production and raw lyricism, the song captures the lingering pain of letting go — and the way one small piece of jewelry can hold a world of meaning.

Please check out the official audio track of Lauv performing “Bracelet.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Bracelet”
Written by Andrew Goldstein, Ari Leff and Michael Pollack. Performed by Lauv.

Didn’t know what I wanted
I’ll admit that
Still don’t know what I wanted
I’ll be honest, I’m not ready to let you go

I walk down memory lane late at night
I end up losing my way every time
I wake up missing you more
Oh why did I say goodbye?

I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

All I know is I can’t face it
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

Anyway I could toss it
I’ll admit that
That don’t mean that I need to keep you wrapped around my wrist
oh no

I walk down memory lane late at night
I end up losing my way every time
I wake up missing you more
Oh why did I say goodbye

I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

All I know is I can’t face it
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

And another day is passing by
Oh I still need you
Oh I still need you
And another day is passing by
Oh I still need you
Oh I still need you
All of these melatonin tears I cry
Oh I still need you
Oh I still need you

I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

All I know is I can’t face it
I used to have you, now I have this bracelet
I let you go but baby I’m gonna wear it
Until I don’t need to
Until I don’t need you

I walk down memory lane late at night
I end up losing my way every time
I wake up missing you more
Oh is it goodbye?

(Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye)
(Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye)
Missing you more oh why?

Credit: Photo by Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).

As Pope Leo XIV received the Fisherman's Ring during his inauguration Mass on Sunday, May 18, he was visibly moved, pausing to gaze at the ring before clasping his hands in prayer. This profound moment underscored the immense responsibility he now bears as the 266th successor to St. Peter.

The Vatican’s Office for Liturgical Celebrations has since released close-up images of the newly crafted ring, igniting interest among both ecclesiastical scholars and jewelry lovers alike.

The Fisherman's Ring, or Anulus Piscatoris, is a significant symbol of the papacy, traditionally featuring an image of St. Peter casting his net, representing the Pope's role as a "fisher of men." Historically, the ring served as a signet to seal papal documents, a practice that ceased in 1842. Today, it remains a potent emblem of the Pope's authority and his commitment to shepherding the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV's ring continues this tradition, depicting St. Peter — the fisherman Apostle and first Pope — casting his net, keys in hand, a scene drawn from the Gospel accounts where Christ charges Peter to be a "fisher of men." This motif, engraved in high relief, symbolizes not just evangelization, but continuity: a visual bridge between the Church’s foundation and its present mission under Pope Leo XIV. The ring also bears Pope Leo XIV's name inscribed on the inside of the band, personalizing this sacred emblem.

On the reverse side of the ring face, revealed for the first time in Vatican images, is the personal coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV — formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago. The coat of arms presents a compelling fusion of theological depth and personal identity. The left side features a fleur-de-lis, evoking purity and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The right side displays a flaming heart pierced by an arrow resting on an open book — an emblem rooted in the Augustinian tradition. This symbol, taken from St. Augustine’s Confessions, speaks to the transformative power of divine love and sacred scripture, both of which have clearly shaped Pope Leo’s spiritual journey.

The emotional weight of receiving the Fisherman's Ring during Sunday's Mass was evident in Pope Leo XIV's demeanor, reflecting his deep awareness of the spiritual and pastoral responsibilities entrusted to him. This moment resonated with many, highlighting the continuity of the Church's mission and the personal commitment of its new leader.

Perhaps one of the most dramatic traditions involving the Fisherman’s Ring is its destruction upon a pope’s death. In a solemn ritual performed in front of the College of Cardinals, the Camerlengo — keeper of the papal household — destroys the ring with a ceremonial silver hammer. This act symbolizes the end of the pope’s authority and ensures no future documents are fraudulently sealed in his name.

Credits: Ring images courtesy of The Vatican’s Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. Inauguration image by U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The age of flashmob proposals, viral engagement stunts and extravagant surprise reveals may be drawing to a close — at least if Gen Z has anything to say about it.

A new wave of "quiet proposing" is reshaping the jewelry industry and the traditional expectations surrounding engagements. Less about spectacle and more about shared intention, this trend reflects the core values of a generation (born 1997 through 2012) intent on authenticity, communication and equality.

According to a recent survey by British jeweler Diamonds Factory, more than 50% of engagement ring shoppers in 2025 are now accompanied by their partners. The days of one partner secretly selecting a ring in hopes of getting it just right are fading fast. Instead, Gen Z couples are leaning into a more collaborative approach, ensuring the ring reflects both taste and intention.

This shift marks a major cultural moment. Where Millennials and Gen X often celebrated grand proposals engineered for "likes" and applause, Gen Z is quietly rebelling against that narrative. Many young couples are saying "no thanks" to lurking photographers and Instagram-perfect lighting, opting instead for personal moments that carry deeper meaning.

“It’s not that romance is dying,” says Ella Citron-Thompkins, jewelry expert at Diamonds Factory. “Rather than rejecting love, Gen Z is redefining it — favoring intimacy and shared decisions over performance. Quiet proposing is about creating a private, intentional memory instead of putting on a show.”v
The motivations behind this change are multi-layered. Financial prudence plays a role — many Gen Zers are grappling with student debt, rising rents and economic instability, making lavish gestures feel out of step.

But the heart of the trend lies in emotional alignment. Couples are more likely to discuss marriage beforehand, aligning on timing, values and even ring design long before the actual proposal.

For Micaela Beltran, a Gen Z entrepreneur, the choice was easy. “We worked with an independent designer and created a ring together," she told Newsweek. "No staged moment, no surprise audience — just a decision that felt true to us.”

Her sentiment echoes across the generation: love doesn’t need to be loud to be real.

And the jewelry industry is taking note, as the demand for custom-designed rings is growing and more couples are visiting showrooms together. In fact, Diamonds Factory's survey revealed that only 18% of ring shoppers now go solo.

This shift isn’t just about changing who buys the ring — it’s redefining the entire engagement narrative. Gen Z is setting a new tone: proposals aren’t performances, they’re conversations. And in that quiet space, a more meaningful commitment is taking shape.

Credit: Photo via BigStockPhoto.com.

You’ve booked the flight, packed your favorite outfits, and picked the perfect accessories — but should your best jewelry make the trip? A new study from Jewelers Mutual reveals that more travelers are saying “maybe not.” With lost earrings, stolen necklaces and misplaced rings all too common, nearly 80% of travelers now turn to “travel jewelry” as a stylish, safer solution.

Nearly 80% of travelers who wear jewelry on trips now opt for “travel jewelry” — pieces chosen specifically to reduce the chance of losing valuable or sentimental items. This trend is especially popular among younger adults and women, signaling a shift in how travelers balance style with security.

This doesn’t mean people are leaving all valuables at home. Engagement and wedding rings remain among the most frequently worn items while traveling. In fact, 52% of travelers wear their engagement ring on trips, and about 50% wear their wedding band.

Of respondents who claim to have lost jewelry, 38% lost the item near a body of water, such as a beach, pool, ocean or lake. The Jewelers Mutual study reveals that earrings are the most frequently lost and stolen items, while beaches and hotel rooms top the list of places where jewelry goes missing.

Thefts most often occur in hotel rooms and restaurants. Necklaces are the most commonly left behind jewelry item, often forgotten in lockboxes or safes.

Alarmingly, nearly half of respondents who lost jewelry while traveling experienced such losses multiple times. This underscores the importance of secure storage and travel habits.

Tips for TSA and Travel Security

Traveling through airport security with jewelry doesn’t have to be complicated. Most small items, such as rings or delicate necklaces, won’t set off metal detectors, so wearing them is usually fine. However, larger metal pieces might trigger extra screening. If needed, travelers can ask TSA officers for a private screening to ensure discretion and security.

To minimize risk and to keep jewelry organized, travelers should consider the following:

Keep jewelry in your carry-on bag — never in checked luggage.
Avoid placing jewelry directly in TSA bins, where it’s easy to forget or misplace items.
Use a zippered pouch or structured travel case to prevent damage and tangling.
Store earrings in pill cases and lay necklaces flat to avoid knots.

While traveling with jewelry is common, experts agree it’s safest to leave high-value items at home. When doing so, use a secure storage method like a safe or lockbox. According to Jewelers Mutual, insured consumers are more likely to adopt these secure practices.

The study also found that travelers with dedicated jewelry insurance are more likely to take protective measures. Unfortunately, many rely on homeowners’ policies, which often offer insufficient coverage for travel scenarios. Specialized jewelry insurance can offer broader protection, including international coverage and accidental loss.

The Jewelers Mutual study was conducted in February 2025 via an online survey through Qualtrics and represents the experiences of 1,500 adults in the US aged 20+ who were responsible for making insurance decisions in their household and owned at least one piece of fine jewelry.

Credit: Image via BigStockPhoto.com

As the world turns its eyes to St. Peter’s Square this Sunday, a centuries-old tradition will unfold before a global audience. During his inauguration Mass on May 18, Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pontiff — will receive the Fisherman’s Ring, a powerful and enigmatic symbol of papal authority and humility that has intrigued theologians, historians and jewelers for generations.

The Fisherman’s Ring, or Anulus Piscatoris, dates back to at least the 13th century. Historically used as a signet to seal papal documents, it bears the image of Saint Peter — himself a fisherman by trade — casting a net from a boat, a direct reference to Jesus’ call for his apostles to become "fishers of men." Etched with the new pope’s Latin name, the ring today is more ceremonial than functional, but its spiritual weight remains. (The image, above, is an AI-generated illustration of what Pope Leo XIV's ring might look like.)

Over time, the ring has come to represent the divine authority conferred upon the pope as the successor of Saint Peter. Traditionally cast in gold, Pope Leo XIV's predecessor chose an alternative metal as a statement of humility. Pope Francis famously opted for a recycled gold-plated silver ring, emphasizing simplicity over splendor.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is known for his pastoral sensibilities and academic background in canon law. All eyes will be on the ring finger of his right hand this Sunday, as the world gets its first glimpse at the material and design he has chosen for his Fisherman’s Ring (also known as the Piscatory Ring).

Observers say Leo XIV’s ring maintains the traditional Saint Peter motif but features additional engravings — waves and fish — that suggest a pastoral emphasis and nod to prophecies about spiritual renewal. Vatican watchers speculate that these symbols may signal a return to core Gospel values, reminiscent of Pope Francis’s legacy.

Perhaps one of the most dramatic traditions involving the Fisherman’s Ring is its destruction upon a pope’s death. In a solemn ritual performed in front of the College of Cardinals, the Camerlengo — keeper of the papal household — destroys the ring with a ceremonial silver hammer. This act symbolizes the end of the pope’s authority and ensures no future documents are fraudulently sealed in his name. Pope Francis’ ring was destroyed just weeks ago, following his passing on Easter Monday.

For the jewelry world, the Fisherman’s Ring is a masterclass in meaning layered over metal. Though its monetary value may be speculative — some say upwards of $500,000 — its spiritual and historical significance is priceless.

Credits: AI-generated conceptual image of the Fisherman's Ring by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL-E 3. Pope Leo XIV photo by Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).

The 10.03-carat “Mediterranean Blue” lived up to its pre-auction hype at Sotheby’s Geneva on Tuesday, selling for an impressive $21.3 million following a fast-paced, live-streamed bidding war.

Introduced as Lot 602 at 6:50 p.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST), the Fancy Vivid Blue diamond headlined the evening sale. Two phone bidders engaged in a spirited three-minute exchange that included 13 individual offers.

Bidding opened at 9 million Swiss francs (approximately $10 million) and advanced rapidly in increments of 500,000 francs. At the 14 million franc mark, the pace slowed, with bids increasing by 200,000 to 300,000 francs before auctioneer Quig Bruning brought down the hammer at 15 million francs (about $17.9 million).

Including buyer’s premium and fees, the final price came to 17.86 million Swiss francs—equivalent to $21.3 million, or $2.12 million per carat. The identity of the winning bidder has not been disclosed.

Ahead of the sale, Sotheby’s spotlighted The Mediterranean Blue for its exquisite cushion shape, exceptional size, clarity, and vivid saturation. With a pre-sale estimate of $20 million, the house positioned the stone alongside the world’s most iconic blue diamonds.

That elite list includes the 15.1-carat “De Beers Cullinan Blue” ($57.5 million, Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2022), the 14.6-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” ($57.5 million, Christie’s Geneva, 2016), and the 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine” ($48.5 million, Sotheby’s Geneva, 2015).

“The Mediterranean Blue represents one of nature’s rarest gems,” said Bruning, Head of Jewelry for Sotheby’s Americas & EMEA. “Any vivid blue diamond is a discovery worth celebrating, but one as entrancing as this—especially over 10 carats—is a newsworthy event.”

In its Monograph, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) described The Mediterranean Blue as “a complete indulgence of the senses.”

The diamond received the highest possible color grading for a blue diamond from the GIA and was classified as Type IIb—a category that represents less than 0.5% of all diamonds.

The Mediterranean Blue was cut from a 31.94-carat rough diamond unearthed in 2023 at South Africa’s famed Cullinan Mine. Following a meticulous six-month planning and cutting process, the stone was transformed into a cushion modified brilliant.

Blue diamonds owe their remarkable hue to trace amounts of boron within the diamond’s carbon lattice. Scientists believe they form at extreme depths—around 400 miles below the Earth’s surface—approximately four times deeper than most other diamonds.

Credits: Images courtesy of Sotheby’s; screenshot via sothebys.com.

Nearly 2,000 carats of historic Colombian emeralds will be in the spotlight on June 17, as Christie’s New York presents "Magnificent Mughal Jewels: Property from a Royal Collection."

Steeped in dynastic prestige and displaying extraordinary craftsmanship, the three museum-worthy pieces — each with Mughal royal provenance — will offer collectors a rare chance to own a piece of South Asian imperial history.

Leading the collection is the "Mughal Carved Emerald Necklace," estimated at $2–3 million. Comprising five extraordinary Colombian emeralds with a total weight of approximately 1,150 carats, the necklace is anchored by a singular 470-carat carved gem inscribed with the name of Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the 18th-century Durrani Empire and a figure intimately tied to the Mughal legacy.

According to Christie's, the inscription itself mirrors those found on two of history’s most fabled gemstones — the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Timur Ruby (actually a red spinel) — connecting this piece to a lineage of legendary jewels that traversed empires through conquest and diplomacy.

The Mughal obsession with emeralds — particularly those of Colombian origin — stems from their rich color, spiritual symbolism and the exotic trade routes that brought them from the New World to the subcontinent. Beginning in the 16th century, these emeralds journeyed from Colombian mines, through Spanish traders, and into the hands of Indian emperors who regarded them as symbols of power and divine right.

The second piece from the Royal Collection is the "Mughal Antique Multi-Gem and Emerald Necklace," also valued at $2–3 million. Featuring nearly 800 carats of Colombian emeralds, the necklace exemplifies the Mughal court’s distinctive taste for richly saturated gemstones set in intricate goldwork. These emeralds, like their counterparts in the first piece, would have arrived in South Asia during the height of Mughal influence, a period marked by flourishing arts, architecture and gem carving techniques.

Rounding out the collection is the "Mughal Three-Strand Spinel and Natural Pearl Necklace," with a pre-sale estimate of $1–2 million. With more than 2,000 carats of vibrant red spinels and eight historically inscribed stones, this necklace offers a unique record of Mughal power. Inscriptions bear the names of emperors such as Babur, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, as well as earlier rulers, such as Muhammad ibn Tughluq. These inscribed gems reflect the tradition of immortalizing ownership and legacy through lapidary art — transforming the necklace into both adornment and archive.

According to Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, the offering “honors the remarkable history and royal provenance of the Mughal Empire,” marking a cultural milestone in the world of jewelry auctions. Proceeds from the sale will benefit charitable causes, extending the legacy of these regal masterpieces into the present day.

The jewels will be available for public viewing in Geneva, Hong Kong and New York, ahead of the live auction on June 17.

Credits: Images courtesy of Christie's, photography by Steven DeVilbiss