North America’s largest faceted Emeralds also came from NC!

At 64.83 cts, the Carolina Emperor is North America’s largest faceted emerald.  Found in 2009 by Terry Ledford at the Adams farm site, Hiddenite, NC.  Cut from original 310 carat crystal. Reportedly sold at auction for $1.65M.  Currently on public exhibit at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.  Photo by Ed Speer.

At 30.8 cts, this is North America’s 2nd largest faceted emerald.  Found at the Crabtree Mine, Mitchell Co., NC in 1991 by D. Gaddy.  Photo by D. Gaddy.

The Carolina Queen at 18.8 cts is actually North America’s 3rd largest cut emerald.  The Carolina Prince is an exceptionally fine gem.  Both of these gems were cut from the same 71 ct crystal shown.  Found at the NAEM Mine, Hiddenite, NC by Jamie Hill in 1998.  Photo by Ed Speer.