The Sacred Emerald Buddha

The Historic Emerald Buddha

Numerous texts present a variety of historic and legendary explanations of the Emerald Buddha's origins. One account describes the discovery of the Emerald Buddha in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in 1434 AD, after a lighting strike on the stucco wall of a chedi (a bell-shaped temple tower) exposed its hiding place.

Despite its name, the Emerald Buddha isn't made from emerald (nor jadeite as has sometimes been reported) but from a form of jasper, a grayish green ornamental gem material found in India and Africa.

A Very Special Discovery

In 1994, a 3,600-carat (25.4 ounce) natural emerald crystal was discovered in Africa, although the exact country of origin has been disputed (with possibilities ranging from Madagascar to Zambia). By September of that year, the large gemstone arrived in Thailand in search of a suitable buyer.

Upon the crystal's arrival, one astute gem dealer realized this was a very special stone. He wanted to maximize its potential rather than break it into smaller pieces as other competing dealers desired. After several months of intense negotiations, he finally won out. So began a quest for the best subject matter and design for this potentially world record-breaking emerald crystal.

The Harm Yhard  Posture

Many design ideas were considered. Ultimately, the shape of the crystal and the acknowledgement of the nation of Thailand as its final destination suggested a standing Buddha image

After extensive research into the history and art of Buddha images, the classic standing Buddha posture known in Thai as Harm Yhard emerged as the most appropriate choice. Traditionally, this was the Buddha's admonition to his family members to stop quarrelling amongst themselves.

The world suffered a great loss when Taliban extremists destroyed the giant standing Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan in 2001. A standing Buddha image in pure emerald, a gem highly revered by the Islamic faith, seemed an appropriate replacement, especially with the theme of the Buddha's message to "stop quarrelling amongst yourselves"!

Seeking a suitable craftsman to carve a standing Buddha image in fragile emerald proved no easy task. Although considered the world's best gemstone carvers, Europeans lack experience with Buddhist subject matter. China and Myanmar have many fine jadeite Buddha carvers, but both locations present complicated security issues.

In the end, the decision to locate an experienced jadeite Buddha carver in Thailand seemed the best solution.

Carving the Sacred Emerald Buddha

The gem dealer visited jadeite carving factories in Chanthaburi, Mae Sai, Chiang Mai, and Mae Sot, eventually choosing two to carve prototype images in low-grade aquamarine (from the same beryl gem family as emerald) as well as jadeite. Carver Aung Nyein, then 36-years old, was selected. Originally from Myanmar, Aung Nyein had lived in Mae Sot for 16 years. For over 20 years, he had carved jadeite Buddha images, and his community considered him a master.

What followed were weeks of studying the crystal with high-intensity lights, rulers, calipers, and a sketchpad. Finally satisfied with his plan, Aung began his work. Measure, mark, cut, grind, measure, mark, cut, grind. The process continued for over a week before a distinct Buddha image began to emerge from the depths of the green crystal. As the sculpting continued, Aung used ever smaller grinding bits, as the fine detail of the Buddha demanded.

Polishing the entire piece required several more weeks. Aung moved from extra fine sandpaper to medium diamond powder and, finally, to the finest of all diamond powder in order to obtain the high-gloss finish on the Sacred Emerald Buddha's surface.

Late one afternoon in February 2006, Aung finished his work. We all celebrated with a fine bottle of imported brandy.

The last responsibility was independent gemological laboratory certification, which we secured through The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) and the GemResearch Swisslab AG (GRS).

With a great sense of pride, dignity, and honor, we present to the world the 2,620-carat "Sacred Emerald Buddha."

Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC

Jeffery Bergman was a contributor to the IGS long before Seth and Lisa were involved.  Aside from Don Clark, he is the longest-standing contributor to IGS.  In honor of his decade of friendship and support, Jeffery holds the honorary title of Vice President, Emeritus – International Gem Society.  He is, and always has been, a fully pro-bono contributor and maintains no financial interest in IGS.

With humble roots from a non-gem trade family, as a lapidary hobbyist, Jeffery cut and polished his first gemstone at the age of fourteen launching him on a lifelong career which has taken him to more than 70 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. With 5 decades of broad-based experience in natural gemstones, diamonds and fine jewelry, in 2020 Jeffery founded Eighth Dimension Gems (formerly Primagem) in Bangkok, Thailand, where he has lived for over 30 years.

Jeffery’s formal gemmological training was accomplished at the prestigious Swiss Gemmological Institute in Basel, Switzerland where he passed requisite exams for his SSEF Basic Gemmology (BGC) and SSEF Basic Diamonds (BDC) Diplomas. Additionally, he completed SSEF’s Advanced Pearls (ATC), Advanced Colored Stones (ATC), and Scientific Gemmology (SGC) courses.

Featured in many gem and jewelry periodicals, Jeffery has also appeared in interviews on the ABC, BBC, CCTV, CNA, CNN, NBC and GEO. He has been quoted in Time, USA Today, National Geographic, Discover, GIA’s Gems & Gemology, Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology, ICA’s InColor, Rivista Italiana di Gemmologia/Italian Gemological Review and many other publications around the world. A guest speaker at seven GIA Gem Gatherings as well as many gemological conferences & universities, Jeffery is also an Honorary Professor for the AIGS – Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand.

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