First in a three-part series.
Over the next three newsletters, we will take an in-depth look at the jewels from IRAN
Iran has one of the most extensive collections of jewels in the world.
In 1935 Persia became Iran, the name Iran is the Persian word for the country. The Persian empire began in 550 BC. It stretched from Anatola (Turkey) to Egypt, Western Asia (Saudi Arabia) to Northern India and Central Asia (China, Russia and Afghanistan). This was the largest empire of its day.
This so far doesn’t have anything to do with gems except for the fact that those geographic areas are all gem and gold rich. Some of the first known diamond mines were located in India. Rubies, sapphires and emeralds
were all found in Central Asia.
Consequently the Persians flexed their muscles to conquer these lands, which expanded and contracted. The spoils go the the conquerer.
As the various rulers acquired these gold and gems, artisans crafted may different objects. Many were confiscated from neighboring countries.
It was customary in these times to share a portion of the booty with friendly neighboring countries to keep the peace.