When people think of India’s royal treasures, dazzling diamonds often come to mind. After all, India was once the world’s only known source of diamonds and home to legendary gems like the Koh-i-Noor. Yet, despite their abundance and prestige, diamonds were not always the most cherished gemstones in royal courts. Instead, emeralds emerged as the gemstone of choice for many Indian kings, queens, and emperors.
From the magnificent Mughal Empire to the princely states of Rajasthan and Hyderabad, emeralds were prized not only for their striking beauty but also for their symbolism, spiritual significance, and rarity. Their deep green color believed to represent wisdom, prosperity, and renewal, made them far more than decorative jewels—they became powerful emblems of royalty.
Why Indian royals chose emeralds over diamonds: The fascinating history behind their favourite gemstone
Why did every Maharaja want an emerald stone?
Whenever royal jewellery is mentioned, diamonds come to mind. However, royal jewellery from India has always hailed emeralds as the favourite gemstone of kings and queens. From the lavish Mughal court to the magnificent treasure houses of Rajasthan, emeralds served purposes much more than just being decorative. They represented wisdom, wealth, and divine protection. Their green colour, scarcity, and implication in spirituality made these stones one of the most significant gemstones in royal India. Let’s see 5 reasons why they were every king’s absolute favourite.
Emeralds represented authority, understanding, and wealth
In Indian culture, the colour green has always been connected to creation, prosperity, renewal, and wealth. Emeralds were known for their capability to enhance thinking skills, help the ruler make wise decisions, and establish a perfect balance. In ancient Indian documents as well as in Mughal traditions, emeralds gained a reputation for bringing good luck and acting as a protective agent.
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Emeralds were made royal by the Mughal Empire
Even though India used to be known for its wealthy variety of diamonds, such as the Koh-i-Noor Diamond and Great Mughal Diamond, the Mughal Empire started to appreciate Colombian emeralds that were brought through the Portuguese routes in the 16th and 17th centuries. Emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan used to order grand emeralds that contained inscriptions from the Quran, lots of flower drawings, and king-level marks. The gemstones gradually became valuable inheritances instead of merely stones used for decoration.
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Astrology became an important factor
Emerald is linked with Mercury, the astrological planet of intelligence, communication, education, diplomacy, and trade in Indian astrology. Many Indian kings used emeralds in the belief that it gave them greater strategic capabilities and eloquence, leading to effective administration. Royal astrologers used to recommend the wearing of emeralds for various auspicious occasions like coronations or state functions.
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Emeralds were in synchronisation with the Indian love for coloured gems
Unlike the practice of European royals who began focusing on diamond jewels, Indian gem merchants enjoyed mixing and matching emeralds with other gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, pearls, and spinels to create eye-catching combinations. Emeralds created a distinctive look which was altogether different from emeralds used in traditional kundan ornamentation or in combination with diamonds.
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Emeralds were rarer than diamonds
Until the discovery of Brazil’s emerald deposits in the 18th century, almost all premier-quality emeralds were obtained from Colombia. Towards India, these spectacular emeralds had to be transported via complicated sea trade routes involving Portuguese traders, which made these exotic gems much more expensive than locally produced diamonds.
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