Origin of name
The carved emerald representing the profile of a woman's head, carved out of
a natural emerald crystal discovered in the Muzo mines of Colombia, was
donated to the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian
Institution, at Washington D.C. in the year 2003, by Shri Ashok Kumar
Sancheti, the proprietor of Pioneer Gems, the prestigious gem and jewelry
trading house based in New York City, with offices at 47th Street, New York
City, and having a global network of offices in the major gem and jewelry
trading centers of the world, such as Jaipur, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. The
donation was a worthy addition to the National Gem Collection, and has
become a popular exhibit in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems
and Minerals.
Features of the carved emerald
The profile of a woman's head has been carved out of a rough emerald crystal
discovered in the historic Muzo mines of Colombia. The emerald has the
characteristic dark herbal-green color of Muzo emeralds. It is opaque as it
is heavily included, the main reason why the rough crystal was chosen for carving, instead of being processed as other gem-quality emeralds. The
original weight of the rough emerald crystal is not known, but the carved
emerald weighed 70.10 carats.
©Smithsonian Institution.
Photography by Ken Larsen
The unknown master carver who executed the selected subject matter on a
relatively smaller stone compared with other known emerald carvings, such as
the 2,620-carat Sacred Emerald Buddha, had indeed exhibited extraordinary
skills and dexterity in the execution of this delicate carving, a
masterpiece of modern gemstone sculpture. The greatest challenge to any
sculptor is the maintenance of correct proportions in the features of the
subject matter in keeping with the projected overall size of the subject.
That the unknown carver of this sculpture had achieved perfect and well
proportioned features in his final product, given the small size of his
starting material, speaks volumes about his abilities and great carving
skills. Another feature in the carving that adds credit to his carving
abilities, is the clever usage of the naturally formed golden pyrite
crystals (Iron Sulphide) also known as "fool's gold," in the matrix of the
original rough emerald, to his advantage, by incorporating the crystals into
his subject matter, as hair and an earring. The outcome of this effort has indeed
been
stunning and natural, enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the sculpture.
History of the carved emerald
The source of the emerald
The website of the NMNH of the Smithsonian Institution gives the
source of the emerald as the historic Muzo mines of Colombia. This
information is undoubtedly correct, as it is confirmed by features of the
matrix in which the emerald was discovered. The presence of crystallized
pyrite is a distinguishing feature of the matrix of Muzo emeralds. A study
of the matrix characteristics of Colombian emeralds, might give a clue
as to their possible mine of origin. A summary of the matrix characteristics
of emeralds from the three main mines in Colombia are given below.
Matrix characteristics of Coscuez
emeralds
1) The presence of black shale.
2) The presence of grey calcite
3) Sometimes a rust-colored layer of iron oxide instead of grey calcite.
4) Thin veins of pyrite running through the black shale, instead of
crystallized nodules of pyrite.
The presence of grey calcite is the predominant characteristic of the
Coscuez matrix material.
Matrix characteristics of Muzo emeralds
1) The presence of black shale.
2) The presence of pure white calcite.
3) The presence of crystallized pyrite.
4) Sometimes presence of clear quartz.
The presence of white calcite and crystallized pyrite are the predominant
characteristics of the Muzo matrix material. In the Ashok Kumar
Sancheti's carved emerald, the white calcite of the matrix has been removed,
but the pyrite crystals have been left intact.
Matrix characteristics of Chivor emeralds
1) The presence of grey shale.
2) The presence of crystallized nodules of pyrite.
A combination of the above two components are found in one type of Chivor
matrix.
3) The presence of grey calcite.
4) The presence of brown iron oxide.
A brecciated mixture of 3 and 4 above together with crystals of pyrite are
found in another type of Chivor matrix. The characteristic feature of the
Chivor matrix is that it is more fragile and crumbly in nature.
Thus all the matrixes above have essentially the same components, black and
grey shale, white and grey calcite and pyrite. However it is the different
combinations of these components and the predominance of one over the others
that help to distinguish between them.
History of the Muzo mines
Difficulties faced by the Spanish
Conquistadors in subjugating the Muzo Indians
The Muzo Indian tribe was one of the warlike tribes of Colombia, that the
Spanish found most difficult to subjugate in spite of their superior weapons
and fire power. The Chibchan Indians were subjugated in 1537, but 20 years
later in 1557, the Muzo Indians were only partially subjugated. It is said
that it was a combination of fire power and the use of vicious dogs that
finally overcame the resistance of the native Indians. However subjugation
of a people is one thing, but getting their co-operation in locating the
source of the emeralds, which the Spaniards desperately needed was an
entirely different thing.
In the year 1555 the Spanish under Luiz Lanchero founded the town of Villa
de Santissima Trinidad de los Muzos, at the foot of the Itoco Mountains,
where the Spanish had learnt, that large quantities of emeralds were
produced in the past. But, in spite of all the cruelty and torture to which
the local population was subjected to, none would come forward and pinpoint
the exact location of the ancient mines. In the year 1558, the Spanish began
mining operations in the Itoco Mountains, despite repeated attacks by the
Indians, but later abandoned all operations perhaps due to low production,
and the area was overgrown with jungle. During the next 40 years without any
co-operation from the local tribes, the Spaniards were not able to
make any headway in locating the source of emeralds. Finally in the year
1594, the Spaniards did succeed in locating the original Indian workings,
about 2½ miles from the town of Muzo, close to the site
of the present day Muzo mines.
Exploitation of Muzo mines
begin in 1594
The Spanish began immediate mining operations, making
use of the local Indian labor available for the exploitation. For the first
15 years of the operation of the mines there was a tremendous increase in
the output of emeralds from the mines, but subsequently production declined
rapidly due to a combination of factors such as compulsory labor imposed on
the local tribes, long working hours, cruelty and maltreatment, and the
rapid depopulation of the neighborhood. However, after the intervention of
the Spanish Crown and the re-organization of the industry, production
continued until the mid-18th century, when a disastrous fire in the mines
stopped all mining activity, and the mines were abandoned totally until
Colombia gained independence from the Spanish in 1819.
Exploitation of Muzo mines
after Colombian independence in 1819
Initially, the newly independent Colombian nation
lacked the resources, the organization and managerial skills needed to
exploit the Muzo emerald mines. But, the government of Colombia realizing
the importance of the mines as a potential revenue generator, opted for
private exploitation of the mines taking a share of a moderate 10% of the
profits. The mines were leased out to private companies from the year 1824
to 1848, and there was significant improvement in the production of the
mines, as compared to the production in the mid-18th century. In the year
1848 the government apparently changed its policy on the working of the
mines and directed that all future operations of the mine would be conducted
under the direct supervision of the state. The mines were worked
continuously from the year 1848 to 1909, but the development of the mines
suffered due to lack of technical skills, sound geological knowledge and
advice, and the failure to implement a sustained policy of management.
Exploitation from 1909 to
1925
In 1909, the Government of Colombia again changed its
mind, and decided to go into partnership with a British-based company, The
Colombian Emerald Mining Company Ltd., which was controlled by South African
diamond interests. The Company successfully used the experience, knowledge
and technical skills gained by the exploitation of diamonds in South Africa,
in the exploitation of the Muzo emerald mines and there was a tremendous
increase of production in the mines. But unfortunately, the Government again
went back on its commitment, and took over the sole control of the mines.
The company sued the government for breach of contract, and the government
was forced to pay damages to the company. After, the company pulled out of
Colombia, mining operations again came to a standstill, as the government
did not have sufficient funds for investment to resume operations in the
mine, and also due to the outbreak of World War I. Production again resumed
after World War I, but only for a short period until 1925, when the mines
had to be abandoned again due to poor funding by the government.
Exploitation from 1933 to
1977
In 1933, the Muzo mines opened again under the
direction of Peter W. Rainer, and the production of the mine was marketed by
an American group, on a commission basis for the government. In 1946, the
government sold the mining rights to Banco de Republica, Bogota, who ran the
mines profitably until the end of 1947, but subsequently incurred losses
until 1949. Exploitation at Muzo continued sporadically both legally and
illegally in the 1950s and 1960s, until in the year 1968, when the
government sponsored company ECOMINAS was granted the rights to exploit the
mines. In the years 1976-77 there was a period of anarchy in the Muzo mines
and other emeralds mines in Colombia, in which the powerful drug cartels
were also involved.
After 1977, the government grants 10-year
leases for exploitation of Muzo mines. Since then leases had been held by
Sociedad de Mineros Boyancences.
The government of Colombia decided to step in again,
and leased the mine to Sociedad de Mineros Boyancences for a ten year
period. From then onwards the government had been leasing the mine for 10
year periods, and Sociedad de Mineros Boyancences still holds the lease to
the mines. The Muzo mines which were once the most prolific emerald mines in
the world, is still in production, though the output may not be as high as
its prime period, and the emeralds produced here had set the benchmark for
quality emeralds worldwide, with their characteristic herbal-green colors,
relatively less inclusions, good clarity and transparency.
When was the rough emerald
discovered ?
Information concerning the year of discovery of the rough emerald from which
the Ashok Kumar Sancheti's carved emerald was fashioned is not available.
But, given the fact that Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti migrated to the United
States in 1980 and set up his gem and jewelry business in New York City,
Pioneer Gems, in the early 1980s, he must have purchased the rough emerald
after this. Thus, the emerald must have originated in the Muzo mines either
in the 1980s or 1990s, when the mine was under the management of Sociedad de
Mineros Boyancences (Society of Miners, Boyancences).
Where was the rough emerald carved into the
profile of a woman's head ?
We also do not have any information about the unknown emerald carver, who
transformed the rough emerald into the masterpiece of modern gem carving.
Given the fact that Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti's headquarters are based in the
U.S. it might be possible that the emerald carver was also a U.S. based
gemstone carver. It could also be possible that the carving was executed in
his native city of Jaipur in India, an ancient city famous for its gem and
diamond cutting and polishing industry, as well as gemstone carving since
ancient times. It is well known that Jaipur was the main gemstone cutting,
carving and polishing center in India, during the Mogul period, and most of
the artisans who worked for the Mogul courts hailed from this area.
Readers who may have more information about the year of discovery of the
emerald and the unknown emerald carver are kindly requested to provide same
as comments to this webpage.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti, a short biography
Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti who was born and brought up in Jaipur, the capital
of Rajasthan State, in northwestern India, migrated to the United States in
the year 1980. His family had been in the gem and jewelry trade in India,
for over three generations. He belongs to a small but influential religious
minority in India, known as the "Jains" an ancient religion of India, having
over 10 million followers in modern India, and across the world. Jainism
predates Buddhism in India by several centuries, and most of the Buddhist
teachings seem to have been derived from Jainism, except for the fact that
the Lord Buddha preached an alternative to the "extreme ascetism" preached
by the Jains, which he termed the "middle path.' The Jains are a highly
literate and enterprising community, and even though they constitute only
0.42 % of the Indian population, they contribute by way of income tax an
astounding 24% of the total tax collected by the exchequer.
The Jains have also been involved in the gem and jewelry trade since ancient
times and today control a large part of the diamond industry in India, and
the very successful Indian diamond community in Belgium almost exclusively
belong to the Jain community.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti set up his gem and jewelry business in the U.S.
known as "Pioneer Gems" in the early 1980s, and opened his office at No. 62
W. 47th Street, New York. Soon Pioneer Gems became one of the prestigious
and renowned gem and jewelry trading houses in the world, with offices in
Jaipur, Bangkok and Hong Kong, and associates in all five continents.
Besides gem and jewelry Mr. Ashok Kumar and his brothers have also branched
into other successful ventures in the field of tourism, restaurants, fabric
and real estate.
Pioneer Gems have their own gem cutting and polishing factories, processing
rough gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. They also
have their handcrafted jewelry factory, which produces exquisitely designed
fine jewelry of international standards, set in platinum and 18K gold, that
are supplied to their global network of offices in major markets around the
world. Today "Pioneer Gems" have become a trusted name in the international
gem and jewelry trade and industry.
He has established his credentials as a reputed colored stone dealer, and
had received awards in several competitions. In the year 2005, at the
American Gem Trade Association's lapidary competition known as the "Cutting
Edge Competition," under the Open Category/Classic Gemstone, Mr. Ashok Kumar
Sancheti obtained the third place for his entry, the 1.24-carat natural
fancy cut emerald. The cut represented a unique hexagonal step cut, a rather
unusual cut for an emerald. Again in the year 2006, at the American Gem
Traders Association's Annual Jewelry Design Competition and the
Cutting Edge Awards, in the Open Category, Classic Gemstone Division, Mr.
Ashok Kumar Sancheti of Pioneer Gems, received an Honorable Mention, for a
pair of mandarin garnets weighing 14.55 carats.
A man of varied interests, Mr. Ashok Kumar had held executive positions in
several associations involved in the gem trade, such as the Vice President
of the American Gem Traders Association, the Vice President of the Indian
Diamond and Colored Stone Association, and Office Bearer of the
International Colored Stone Association. He had also taken a keen interest
in the activities of his own community, and the Indian community in general
in the United States. He is a trustee of Shree Sidddhachalam Jain
Teerth, New Jersey, and was the Director of the Rajasthan Association
of North America. A great philanthropist, Mr. Ashok Kumar Sancheti, had
always donated generously whenever their were natural calamities affecting
any part of India. He also supports many Jain temples around the world, and
started a school in ancient Gurukul style at Jaipur.
Related :-
Sacred Emerald Buddha
Emerald Man
External Links
Pioneer Gems
Ashok Kumar Sancheti's Carved Emerald at the Smithsonian
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References :-
1.Carved Emerald - New Acquisitions 2003 - website of the
NMNH, Smithsonian Institution.
2.Shri Ashok Kumar
Sancheti - website of the Rajasthan Association of North America, New York.
3.Traditional
Value - G.G. Robert Weldon, Professional Jewelers Magazine, March 2005.
4.AGTA
Spectrum Award Winners Announced - September/October 2006 - colored-stone.com
5.The Emerald Deposits of Muzo, Colombia - Joseph E. Pogue, Ph. D. Evanston,
Illinois. Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Vol LV,
1917.
6.Jainism - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
