Ancient Roman Carved Emerald Brooch

An ancient Roman emerald carved with the features of a man's face is the center stone of this 19th-century brooch. The art of gem carving takes years to learn and master, and emeralds are notoriously difficult to carve. They polish well, but the artist must be extremely careful not to break the stone or carve away too much of the gem during the process. To find a carved emerald dating to antiquity, when gem carving was in its infancy, is an exceptional rarity.

The museum-quality, Roman-period stone is displayed in an impeccably crafted Victorian-era silver and silver gilt setting. Emeralds, diamonds and rubies complement the carved emerald, while a single Baroque pearl dangles from the center. Even the reverse features carvings that mimic the motif of the front, including the details of a man's face at the center.

2 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" high