12/05/2026
Stone of the Month: Emerald
Deep green and endlessly captivating, emeralds held a treasured place in the Mughal world - admired not only for their beauty, but for the meaning they carried. From royal courts to heirloom jewels, the stone became a symbol of power, refinement, and spiritual depth.
In this carousel, we trace the journey of emeralds through the Mughal era - their presence in art, adornment, and the hearts of emperors who saw these stones as more than jewels, but objects of wonder.
Rasvihar image credits
Image 1 - Muhammad Shah holding an emerald, ca. 1730 The San Diego Museum of Art
Image 2a - Map of Central Asia with its trade routes and movements between 128 BCE to 150 CE, Wiki Commons
Image 2b - A Mughal carved emerald necklace, Christie’s in New York
Image 3 - The Mogul Mughal, Christie’s in New York
Image 4 - Carved emerald cup belonged to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r. 1013-37 AH/1605-27 CE), Qatar Museums
Image 5 - A pair of Mughal spectacles set with emerald lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, Sothebys
Image 6 - Emerald-set Box, Khalili Collection, Wiki commons
Image 7 - The Accession Portrait of Shah Jahan, 1628. V&A Museum
Image 8 - Thumb ring, 18th Century, V&A Museum
QuietLuxury
