Golconda and Columbian Emerald 'Pankhi' Earrings

Old ‘pankhi’ (handfan) inspired earrings with old natural Columbian emeralds and old Golconda and old European cut diamonds in 18K gold, circa 1940 – 1950. The pankhi, inspired by the royal hand fans used by Maharajas, forms the foundation of this meticulously crafted piece of jewelry that revisits the grandeur of aristocracy from bygone eras. 

Emerald is a prized gem of the Maharajas and Mughal magnificence, praised in old Sanskrit stories before the Pyramids. The most popular mines and expensive Emeralds come from Panjshir Valley, in Afghanistan, Zambia and Columbia. Its considered a birthstone for evoking rebirth and renewal. Emerald is a relatively hard gemstone – about 7.5 or 8 on the Mohs scale, yet it is also brittle, making it a challenging gemstone to cut. The so-called emerald cut – rectangular or square, with bevelled edges – was specially developed to show emeralds off to best advantage while minimizing the risk of fracturing or chipping. The most desirable emerald colors are bluish green to pure green, with vivid color saturation, tone and highly transparent, with even colour distribution. Emerald formation is a mysterious geological miracle – two of the rarest earth elements – beryllium from the high continents and chromium from the seabed must collide under the perfect nexus of pressure and moisture in its formation, making it extremely precious. 

‘Golconda’ is a name used within the Jewellery world to denote the world’s finest diamonds. India has been described as a source of diamonds from antiquity onwards. Most famous was the historic kingdom of Golconda (1347-1687), which is currently in Hyderabad, Telangana in India. Three visual characteristics that define the beauty of Golconda diamonds: A high degree of limpidity (crystal), an ultra-whiteness and a blue afterglow that appears in natural daylight, which the connoisseurs call that the water captured in the Golcondas. For connoisseurs, the Golconda diamonds that retain their original cuts are the most coveted. Since the stones may have been mined hundreds of years ago, many exhibit the slightly less than precise cutting styles that were common prior to this century.

Old Golconda Old European Cut Diamonds: approx. 11.00 ct. (VVS-VS clarity and H-I colour)
Old Natural Columbian Emeralds: approx. 3.50 ct. 

Size: 7.44 x 4.52 x 0.5 cm.
Weight: 34 g.