SourcingJan 04, 2022
2021 Diamond Sales Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels for De Beers, Alrosa SourcingJan 06, 2022
Here’s Who Bought This 7,525-Carat Zambian Emerald
Eshed-Gemstar was the winning bidder for the “Chipembele” during Gemfields’ latest Zambian emerald auction.
Israel-based Eshed-Gemstar now owns the 7,525-carat emerald dubbed “Chipembele.” It was recovered from Gemfields’ Kagem mine in Zambia this past summer.
Ramat Gan, Israel—Israel-based diamond and emerald supplier Eshed-Gemstar has purchased the largest high-quality emerald to come out of Gemfields’ Kagem mine in Zambia.
The 7,525-carat rough stone was discovered in July by geologists Manas Banerjee and Richard Kapeta and his team.
At the time of discovery, Kapeta shouted, “Look at this rhino horn!” in excitement, Gemfields said, which led them to name the large piece “Chipembele,” which means “rhino” in the local indigenous dialect, Bemba.
Gemfields said it is the largest significant gemstone discovered at Kagem.
Eshed-Gemstar is now the owner of the Chipembele after winning the rough stone during Gemfields’ recent emerald auction.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
A portion of the sale’s proceeds will support the North Luangwa Conservation Programme in Zambia, which aids black rhinoceros conservation efforts.
Related stories will be right here …
The 7,525-carat rough stone was discovered in July by geologists Manas Banerjee and Richard Kapeta and his team.
At the time of discovery, Kapeta shouted, “Look at this rhino horn!” in excitement, Gemfields said, which led them to name the large piece “Chipembele,” which means “rhino” in the local indigenous dialect, Bemba.
Gemfields said it is the largest significant gemstone discovered at Kagem.
Eshed-Gemstar is now the owner of the Chipembele after winning the rough stone during Gemfields’ recent emerald auction.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
A portion of the sale’s proceeds will support the North Luangwa Conservation Programme in Zambia, which aids black rhinoceros conservation efforts.
Chipembele features DNA nanoparticle tagging developed by Gübelin Gem Labs as part of its Provenance Proof program, which ensures the resulting cut and polished gems can be identified and certified as having originated from the big piece of rough and the Kagem emerald mine.
Eshed-Gemstar said it also won an “ultra-fine” 935-carat emerald crystal at the auction, which is expected to yield “notable” gems.
Gemfields’ recent emerald sale was comprised of a series of five mini-auctions held from Nov. 1-Dec. 6, which totaled $37.8 million—a record for Kagem auctions—and was 100 percent sold by lot.
The discovery of Chipembele follows two other notable Kagem finds: Insofu, a 6,225-carat emerald discovered in 2010, and Inkalamu, a 5,655-carat emerald found in 2018.
The emerald mine is owned by Gemfields in partnership with the Zambian government’s Industrial Development Corporation.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
