By Namya Sinha

Copyright timesnownews

Last year, in 2024, when photographs emerged of what would perhaps remain one of the most extravagant weddings of the decade – that of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant – most of us, hopelessly smitten with jewels, were spellbound. Emeralds the size of popsicles and the rarest diamonds were worn by the family members of billionaire business tycoon and Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani. Emeralds were already the jewel world’s obsession, but Nita Ambani, wife of Mukesh Ambani, made them the season’s hottest gems. Her jaw-dropping collection of emerald jewellery turned the precious stone into the ultimate symbol of glamour and luxury. It cemented its cultural status and soon the celeb brigade was flaunting them everywhere, from red carpets to weddings. At the opening of the Bvlgari Serpenti Infinito exhibition at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, guests were given a rare glimpse into her extraordinary collection of emerald jewellery. Nita Ambani wore stunning Colombian emerald earrings and a matching ring from her personal collection, paired with a super-rare Bvlgari Serpenti Rainforest bracelet encrusted with diamonds and emeralds. Colombian Emeralds: The Green Obsession Among the rarest of gemstones, Colombian emeralds are celebrated for their pure hue and natural brilliance. Their fascinating deep hues (blueish-green) commands a high price in the market. Muzo and Chivor are the two principal mining districts in Colombia. Muzo, known as the “Emerald Capital of the World”, produces stones of the deepest and richest green, while Chivor emeralds carry a slightly more bluish tint. Both mines remain active today, contributing between 70 and 90 per cent of the world’s emerald supply. The vivid green colour of Colombian emeralds comes from trace elements such as chromium and vanadium. “The most desirable emeralds from these mines have the highest clarity and the fewest visible inclusions,” writes Lydia Dokko in her article Colombian Emeralds: A Detailed Guide for Collectors and Enthusiasts for Sotheby’s. The beauty of an emerald is measured by the four Cs – cut, clarity, colour and carat – with each revealing a different facet of the gem’s rare allure. During the Pre-Columbian era, members of the Inca civilisation believed in the mystical powers of emeralds. They were regarded as symbols of fertility and stones that promote well-being. Traditionally, emeralds are also associated with 20th, 35th and 55th wedding anniversaries.