La Gloria Emerald: Treasure From A Phenomenal 400 Years Old Shipwreck.
The tale of La Gloria emerald is an incredible tale of treasure lost at sea and found after almost 400 years. The booty was found in the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, a galleon bound for Spain in 1622. The ship sank off the Florida Keys in a hurricane. It was heavily laden with gems, jewels, gold, silver, copper, tobacco & indigo.
Uncut Raw La Gloria Emerald
And, the fortune was found by none other than Mel Fisher. He is rightly renowned as the World’s Greatest Treasure Hunter! A legendary visionary and a dreamer, he toiled for more than one and a half decades rummaging underwater to fulfill his dream. Mel Fisher suffered many personal losses to keep his vision alive during his 16 year search. He endured over 100 court battles which ended in his victory in the US Supreme Court.
The $450 million dollar treasure cache or “Atocha Mother Lode” was finally found on July 20, 1985. Over 40 tons of silver and gold were salvaged. The riches included over 100,000 Spanish silver coins known as “Pieces of Eight”, gold coins, silver and gold artifacts and over 1000 silver bars. It also included 70 pounds (32 kg) of Columbian emeralds.
In 2014, the Atocha was added to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most valuable shipwreck to be recovered.
Mel Fisher (the treasure hunter), hired Marcial de Gomar (legendary expert on Columbian emeralds) as a consultant to appraise the stones and jewels salvaged from the ship’s wreckage. He paid the consultant with a part of the treasure for his work.
Now Guernsey’s, the reputed auction house of New York is holding an Auction of the Marcial de Gomar Collection. The clutch of gems found on the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, is a part of this collection. The La Gloria emerald is a star attraction of this auction.
It is impossible to overlook this key attraction of the sale. At an impressive 887 carats, the La Gloria is the largest Muzo emerald in the United States. What is more, it is of museum-quality and one of the most expensive & valuable emerald in the world. Also, the emerald carries an aura of mystery and charm owing to the fact that it was rescued from a phenomenal four hundred year old shipwreck. The La Gloria is anticipated to fetch up to $5 million at the auction! The facts make it a very special gem indeed.
Guernnsey’s (the auction house holding the auction), say that the Marcial de Gomar Emerald Collection, includes 20 extraordinary emeralds in total. Some gems are rough, like the La Gloria, while others are cut. Thirteen pieces of exclusive emerald jewelry will be on sale in addition.
The Marcial de Gomar Emerald Collection
Other worth mentioning emerald gemstones in the lot include the The Marcial de Gomar Star. It is the largest star emerald on record. Purportedly, there are only eleven star emeralds in the world. And this one is a double sided star which might very well make it unique.
The Marcial de Gomar Star Emerald
Also, there is this wonderful Conquistadora, crafted of 35 emeralds & 889 diamonds. It can be worn as a tiara as well as a necklace. Its estimated value is between $150,000 and $250,000.
White Gold And Emerald Conquistadora
Yet another significant piece is the pair of teardrop emeralds known as The Tears of Fura. These unusually large emeralds in the shape of teardrops are well matched in size and also hail from the Muzo mine.
The Tears of Fura Emeralds
The Muzo mine is a legendary mine, hidden deep in the Columbian jungle. It is well known as the world capital of emeralds. The land has given birth to the most beautiful, chemically pure and remarkably green emeralds in the world. Emeralds of this mine are recognized for their distinguished saturation & hue. As a matter of fact, “Muzo Green” is used as a yardstick to judge the quality of other emeralds.
The buyers of the La Gloria and the other emeralds offered in auction will be truly fortunate to have such historic and monumental relics in their possession.
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