A collection of rare and exquisite emeralds are up for auction in April, and the star of the collection is an extremely rare 884-carat gem.
Part of the glittering treasure trove was found on a 400-year-old shipwreck, and the gems are rarer and more expensive than diamonds.
The main draw of the collection is exquisite gem the 887-carat La Gloria, which Guernsey’s bills as “one of the largest museum-quality emeralds in the world”, is estimated to fetch between $4-5 million.
On the 25th April, the public will have the chance to own some of the most rare and beautiful emeralds in the world when they go up for auction in New York.
According to the Guernsey’s auction website, the Marcial de Gomar Emerald Collection consists of more than twenty loose emeralds (both cut and rough) plus thirteen pieces of emerald jewelry.
The website writes the stars of the collection are “La Gloria, which, at 887 carats, is one of the largest museum-quality emeralds in the world; the Marcial de Gomar Star, the largest recorded star emerald (among only eleven in the world, according to experts) and perhaps the first of its kind as a double-sided star emerald; and the Tears of Fura, an impressive matched pair of extremely large teardrop-shaped Muzo emeralds.”
An exciting feature of the collection is a clutch of cut gems found on the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, a galleon that sank off the Florida coast in 1622.
According to the auction house, the wreck is “the most valuable known shipwreck in history”.
This is thanks to the emeralds found on board, which are treasured for their deep, clear green.
Included in the Guernsey’s sale are the Nine Pillars of Andes, a group of nine rough stones totaling over 91 carats and carrying an estimated price of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.
The 4.39 carat Queen of the Sea is estimated to sell for $250,000 to $350,000.
These gems are from the collection of Mr. Marcial, who was selected to be to be the independent appraiser of all emeralds recovered from the wreck by famed treasure hunter Mel Fisher.
He was paid in gems for his work, and some on sale are part of his collection.
Also for sale is a selection of gold coins from the wreck.
All of these items were privately owned and will be presented to the public for the very first time at the auction of the Marcial de Gomar Collection.
msn