A stunning 24.34 carat emerald cut Muzo emerald from the Nuestra Senora de Atocha set in a 22 karat and 18 karat gold necklace with crown details, featuring additional baguette and round cut diamonds and round cut emeralds.

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If ever there was an emerald from the Muzo mine that carried a unique historical provenance associated with the Spanish crown, it uniquely belongs to the "Corona de Muzo." A magnificent 24.34 carat untreated, emerald cut emerald, it holds the title as the largest known cut emerald from the world famous Atocha galleon that disappeared in a September hurricane in the Florida Keys in 1622. Worthy of note is the observation that any emerald over and above one to three carats in size and weight is uncharacteristically large. This emerald, intended for royalty, was cut from a 64.46 carat rough emerald that had been lost to the world in ocean reefs for nearly four centuries. Its deep saturation of emerald green has mesmerized connoisseurs, who may have seen it featured in the Gemological Institute of America's first article on the Atocha galleon, published in 1989. A museum quality emerald, it is displayed in a stunning setting crafted by Marcial de Gomar, containing tapered baguette and round cut diamonds and round cut emeralds set in 22 karat and 18 karat gold on a custom 22 karat chain link especially designed for this particular pendant.

The mounting bears the words "PLUS ULTRA," or "Further Beyond," a motto dating to the time of Charles I of Spain that captures the spirit of the era of Spanish conquest and discovery. To convey the element of majesty in both the link and the pendant, Marcial transported himself back in time to the powerful and unique person of Queen Isabela of Spain. Her modus vivendi was: "Tanto Monta, Monta Tanto"—meaning she was no less than an equal to her husband King Ferdinand. The link is faithful to the royal personality of Queen Isabela and is named the "Isabela link" after her.

The GIA Notable Letter that accompanies this lot’s extraordinary Atocha emerald notes that “the exceptional color and size of this emerald are distinctive. Most faceted emeralds have many inclusions and fractures which are clarity enhanced. To have the further distinction of being untreated makes this Colombian emerald a rarity.”

Accompanied by GIA Report 2181154014 of February 24, 2017 and GIA Notable Letter of February 24, 2017, GIA Report 2431862 of October 19, 1989, and Treasure Salvors, Inc. Certificates of Authenticity (Emerald Numbers 85A-E122/Rough and 85A-E122A/Cut).

Note: Due to the inability of current technology capturing the blue green hues and light dispersion in emeralds accurately, digital and particularly print images, do no justice to the true beauty, color and fire of Colombian emeralds. These magnificent specimens truly need to be seen with the naked eye to be appreciated to their full extent.