Gemstone Found In North Carolina Farm Produces 65 Ct. Emerald

A farm in North Carolina has an emerald that could be the largest ever discovered in North America, The Associated Press reported.

This photo August 17, 2009, provided by Terry Ledford shows the Carolina Emperor emerald prior to cutting, with 25 U.S. cents in the foreground image of the PA.

The 65-carat emerald, nicknamed Caroline emperor, was carved from a string taken from a farm in a rural community of Hiddenite, about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte, the AP reports. Terry Ledford, 53, found the piece about 2 inches square lined with patches of iron a year ago on a farm of 200 acres, owned by partners Renn Adams, 90, and his brothers and sisters. The rural community of Hiddenite is named after a cigarette lighter that looks like the emerald.

Gemologist CR "Cap" Beesley, who is said to have studied the emerald, which is said to have studied the emerald, compared with the emerald brooch once owned by Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. Brooch, including about 65 cents. Sold at auction in April, $ 1650000.