Mughals Jewels
India is well-known for its sumptuous jewelry made by people of diverse religions and cultures. Jewelry from the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) often featured emeralds from Colombia, rubies from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Burma (Myanmar), spinels – called Balas rubies – from present-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and diamonds from Golconda (India). Under Mughal rule, the region around Hyderabad became increasingly independent in the 18th century. Its rulers were known as Nizams. Believing that jewels symbolized royal power, the Nizams of Hyderabad collected and commissioned fabulous jewelry and jeweled objects. Seen here is a 125.86 carat Mughal-style engraved (carved) emerald from India that is a part of GIA's collection.