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THE GARDEN OF EMERALDS
Hosted by the L'École Middle East in the rooms of the Dubai Design District, the inaugural exhibition “Garden of Emeralds” is running until 10 March 2024. As part of the cycle “Discover the gemstones”, it presents the research conducted by the L'École on emeralds, to introduce a vast public to the knowledge of the
scientific, cultural, artistic aspects of the magnificent gem, with a secret and mysterious charm. Since ancient times, emeralds have fuelled the imagination and creativity of goldsmiths, stimulated also by the discovery of new deposits. The accentuated symbolism which triggered from it is mostly connected with its magical green colour, which evokes nature in all its aspects, but also connected to religious, military, or social power. Legend has it that the emperor Nero had a pair of glasses of emerald made for him
so he could relax his sight, as he watched the gladiator battles. Among all the varieties of the large family of beryl gemstones, from emeralds to
Top: bracelet with carved emerald, sapphires and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1975. © FD.
Above: “Bouton d'or” clip, yellow gold and emeralds, 1946. © Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
In alto: bracciale con smeraldo inciso, zaffiri e diamanti. Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1975. © FD.
Sopra: clip “Bouton d'or” in oro giallo e smeraldi, 1946. © Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
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