This extraordinary necklace by Chaumet is a masterpiece of unmatched rarity, craftsmanship and provenance. Featuring nine stunning untreated Colombian emeralds totaling an incredible 43.70 carats, this necklace stands as one of the most remarkable jewelry creations of all time. The Rothschild Emerald Necklace
The gems in this necklace are as close to perfection as any jewel can be. While over 90% of sapphires and 93% of rubies are treated to enhance their appearance, more than 99.99% of emeralds have been oiled to hide the inclusions and the lackluster coloring common in almost every emerald. This fact makes the 43.70 carats of completely untreated and perfectly green emeralds in this necklace extraordinary.
Not just beautifully pure, these gems also hail from the legendary Muzo mine in Colombia. They were almost certainly mined from the same vein, as matching emeralds of this supreme quality would have been a near-impossible feat otherwise. The necklace’s astonishing clarity, consistency and ideal vivid green hue elevate it to the pinnacle of gemological rarity. The American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) has certified these gems as having no oil and as being from Colombia. They also certify the Emeralds as “Classic Columbian,” their absolute highest rating.
Emeralds of such impeccable quality could only have been extracted for an incredible jeweler’s
masterpiece. This magnificent necklace was created by Chaumet, the renowned French firm that was Napoleon’s official jeweler. Chaumet crafted Empress Joséphine’s tiaras, and their clients also included the Romanovs, Habsburgs and British nobility. Known for their bespoke, one-of-a-kind creations, Chaumet was also the jeweler to many of Europe’s wealthiest families. This necklace was a bespoke commission for Europe’s wealthiest family, Baron and Baroness Rothschild. It was crafted as a wedding gift for their daughter Jacqueline, who was married in July 1930.
To commission a bespoke piece of jewelry from Chaumet was to engage in a collaboration with a master. These official order forms, featured in the book compiled by the AGL, document every detail of the necklace’s construction. The book itself represents the highest honor the esteemed laboratory can bestow upon a gemstone. As evident in these records, no detail was overlooked in crafting this exceptional gift.
Date: Circa 1930
Style: Art Deco
Emeralds: 43.70 carats, unheated Colombian
Diamonds: 50.00 carats, colorless and flawless
Lab Reports: SSEF & AGL
Many experts are stunned that this necklace is nearly a century old—its masterful cut rivals modern near-priceless creations, yet features gemstones impossible to source today.
It is exceedingly difficult to perfectly depict the astonishing beauty of The Rothschild Emerald Necklace through photographs. To see the true color and brilliance of this magnificent gem, please use the QR code to view the 17-second video.
