Hooker Emerald Brooch

Treasures from Janet Annenberg Hooker

This emerald is unusual for its exception size and color and its relative lack of imperfections—rare for such a large emerald. It is surrounded by 138 diamonds weighing, altogether, about 13 carats.

An Emerald Fit for a Sultan
Abdul-Hamid II, one of the last sultans of the Ottoman Empire, once owned the Hooker Emerald. It is said that he wore it on his belt buckle. New York's Tiffany and Co. purchased the gem at auction in 1911 and initially set it in a tiara. Later, Tiffany's reset the emerald in this brooch.Mrs. Janet Annenberg Hooker purchased the brooch from Tifany in 1955, and she donated the gem to the Smithsonian in 1977.