Gemstone Found in North Carolina Farm Produces 65-ct. Emerald

The Carolina Emperor, photo by Terry Ledford provided by the AP

A North Carolina farm has yielded an emerald that may be the biggest ever uncovered in North America, The Associated Press reports.

This Aug 17, 2009, photo provided by Terry Ledford shows the Carolina Emperor emerald prior to cutting, with a U.S. 25-cent coin in the foreground, photo provided by the AP.

The 65-carat emerald, nicknamed the Carolina Emperor, was cut from a gem pulled from a farm in the rural community of Hiddenite, about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte, the AP reports. Terry Ledford, 53, found the roughly 2-inch-square chunk rimmed with spots of iron a year ago on a 200-acre farm owned by business partner Renn Adams, 90, and his siblings. The rural community of Hiddenite is named for a paler stone that resembles emerald.

Photo by Christie's

Gemologist C.R. "Cap" Beesley, who reportedly examined the emerald, who reportedly examined the emerald, compared it to an emerald brooch once owned by Empress Catherine the Great of Russia (pictured left). The brooch, also approximately 65 cts., sold at auction in April for $1.65 million.