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The largest emerald ever found in North America was found in Hiddenite, NC. The emerald known as The Carolina Queen is a shining example of beauty and natural wonder. The emerald has been valued in excess of $1,000,000.00 by "Cap" Beesley of the American Gem Laboratory in New York.

The Queen was one of the two cut from a giant 88 carat rough emerald that was found my James K. "Jamie" Hill, Jr. in 1998. Hence the "American Royal Family" was born. Experts say that minerals of this quality are normally mined in Brazil or Columbia.

American Gemological Laboratories President C. R. "Cap" Beesley said, "The 18.8-carat Hiddenite emerald is very rare. It is by far the largest, finest and most significant emerald ever found on the American continent."

R. Gregory Jewelers is proud to be the exclusive retailer for the Hiddenite Emeralds. R. Gregory Jewelers in Statesville, NC is the current home of the emerald. Rick Gregory, owner of R. Gregory Jewelers, said, "The Carolina Queen is the largest, finest cut emerald ever found in North America... It's been on Oprah, Inside Edition, People Magazine, USA Today, Charlotte Observer... it's been all over the United States."

Tiffany's owned the "Carolina Emerald" that was purchased in 1970, found in the same area of Hiddenite, NC. It was a 13.14-carat of much lower quality. At the time, it was the largest North American emerald. Tiffany's emerald was taken off of display when the Carolina Queen was discovered.

The name "Carolina Queen" came from the desire to start a "royal family" of gems in America, according to Gregory.

The gem was cut in New York by Allan Koo, a master gem cutter. Mr. Koo's initial estimate of how many carats the emerald would yield was actually smaller than the actual yield of the gem.

Before being cut, the raw gem was sent to C. R. Beesley of the American Gemological Laboratories in New York. Mr. Beesley is the only gemologist capable of determining the origin of a gemstone. The emerald was sent to Beesley to certify that the gem was, indeed, from North Carolina in North America. Beesley provided certification that the Carolina Queen was the largest, finest emerald to ever come through is lab, according to Gregory.

"What makes this stone so rare [is that] typically North American emeralds only come from Hiddenite, North Carolina. And there is a few other places in America, but most of them are very poor color, very low in clarity and have never been any of any major size. This emerald, what makes it so rare, is the intense green - vivid green - almost like a Muzo-Columbia emerald [from the] Muzo mine in Columbia. It's that color and the intense velvet-green that makes it so rare," says Gregory.

Very few emeralds come from the Hiddenite mines each year. R. Gregory Jewelers is happy to have a large selection of pieces from the mine, with prices starting as low as $200. Please visit their store to see the exclusive collection of emeralds!

Biographical Information

C. R. Beesley
New York

President - American Gemological Laboratories
President - ARD Analytics Research and Development Corporation
President - Gemcore, Inc.
Director of Research - Gemstone Standards Commission

C. R. "Cap" Beesley, an accredited gemologist and master gemologist appraiser is widely respected throughout the world. American Gemological Laboratories is an international gemstone testing facility in New York City specializing in comprehensive colored stone analysis, identification reports and analysis documents. ARD Analytics Research and Development Corporation, a research and development firm, concentrates on the development of analytical procedures and instrumentation for gem and mineral analysis. Gemcore, Inc. is a non-profit research and education organization that sponsors gem and mineral-related information events for gem sciences professionals and the general public. Beesley is also director of research for Gemstone Standards Commission, which develops policies, guidelines and standards for gem-related issues, and is available for consulting and advisory services to organizations such as the United Nations (Mineral Branch), Federal Trade Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Smithsonian Institution, as well as several countries, fine jewelers, museums and television networks. American Gemological Laboratories is located at 580 Fifth Avenue, Suite 706, New York, NY 10036. Telephone (212) 704-0727.

Rick Gregory, Owner
R. Gregory Jewelers, Inc.
Statesville, NC

Rick Gregory, a native of Statesville, NC, has owned and operated R. Gregory Jewelers in downtown Statesville for the past 20 years. One of the finest jewelers in North Carolina, R. Gregory specializes in unique pieces: quality gemstones, one-of-a-kind creations and designs from some of the country's top designers. Throughout the years his salon has been selected to preview private collections such as The Levian Collection, classic and contemporary designs replicating the Palace Jewels of Persia. Gregory, who is certified with Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in detecting synthetic diamonds and treated gems, is also proficient in diamond and pearl grading. He has been a diamond master with the Independent Jewelers Organization for 12 years and is a member of Antwerp Belgian Diamond Cutters High Council. R. Gregory Jewelers was selected to host the first sale of the now-famous Hiddenite emeralds found in late 1998 by James K. Hill, Jr. The 71-carat dark green, gem-quality emerald was later sold to C. Q. Marketing Syndicate, of which he is a member. The salon is located at 122 West Broad St., Statesville, NC 28677. Telephone (704) 872-8941.

James K. Hill, Jr., Gem & Treasure Hunter
Hiddenite, NC

James K. Hill, Jr., a native of North Carolina, has spent most of his life in search of natural and man-made hidden treasures — American Indian, Revolutionary and Civil War artifacts, silver coins, gold nuggets, antique jewelry, and other items. He also discovered he had been gifted with a sixth sense that enables him to instinctively know where treasure is buried. In 1990, after focusing his treasure hunting on gems in the Hiddenite area (where he spent time with his grandparents), Hill set his first geological record with the 298-pound "Carolina Crystal", the largest of its type ever found in North America. (He found it in a Hiddenite pasture and excavated it with only a screwdriver). Hill studied Hiddenite's mineral history and its potential for producing emeralds, whetting his appetite for North Carolinas magnificent "Green Fire" emeralds. In 1992 he formed North American Emerald Mines, a small scale prospecting/mining operation and purchased parcels of land. In 1995 his instincts paid off when he found a pocket of emeralds which continued the exquisite 10.42-carat (after it was cut) Hill Emerald, named after him. Late in 1998, only 10 feet into the earth, Hill discovered a treasure trove of gems — 3,000 carats of quality emeralds, including a fine gem-quality 71-carat and 858-carat specimen, broken in half.

Allan Koo, Master Gem Cutter
A. Koo & Company
New York

Alan Koo, a native of Vietnam, has been a master gem cutter for over 26 years. He began his career in Hong Kong in 1973, cutting gems by machine. In 1978, when he moved to New York City, Koo worked for a wholesale gem dealer and a gem cutting company and learned freehand cutting. Prior to starting his own firm, Koo was a cutter for Winson & Eldot & Co., for five years and in 1994 became the sole proprietor of A. Koo & Company, working with some of New York's finest Fifth Avenue jewelers. A. Koo & Company is located at 36 West 47th Avenue, Room 901, New York, NY 10036. Telephone (212) 768-0062.

Dr. Chris Tacker, Geologist
Curator of Geology for North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science
Raleigh, NC

Dr. Tacker has been Curator of Geology for the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science since 1996. He received his PhD. from Rich University in Houston, his masters from the University of Maryland and a B. A. from UNC-Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the museum Dr. Tacker had a research fellowship at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, where he was also a research associate. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Tulsa Junior College where he taught chemistry and other scientific courses.