Collections

Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald

CollectionsMar 13, 2025

Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald

The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.

Chopard Insofu emerald collection
A pair of floral earrings from Chopard’s “Insofu” collection in 18-carat white gold, platinum and titanium set with two emeralds totaling 11 carats, pear-shaped emeralds totaling 3.5 carats, and brilliant-cut diamonds.
New York—Chopard has unveiled a new high jewelry collection featuring the emeralds cut from “Insofu,” the 6,225-carat rough emerald Gemfields recovered from the Kagem mine in Zambia in 2010. 

The 15-piece collection, also called “Insofu,” comprises five pairs of earrings, four necklaces, three rings, a bracelet and an emerald-set watch.

“Insofu” means “elephant” in the local Bemba language, a nod to the rough stone’s trunk-like shape and unprecedented size.

At the heart of the collection is an elephant-shaped pendant featuring emeralds of various shapes and sizes, framed by diamonds that form the animal’s tusks.

Its trunk is curled upward, a gesture Chopard said is symbolic of prosperity and good fortune.

Chopard Insofu elephant pendant
A pendant shaped like an elephant set with 24.97 carats of pear-shaped emeralds and 21.75 carats of oval-shaped emeralds, accented with brilliant-cut emeralds and diamonds


The collection draws influences from the organic and fluid lines of nature, abstract forms, and Art Deco elegance. 

Its unifying element, Chopard said, is in its embodiment of joie de vivre (exuberant enjoyment of life), a concept portrayed in Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, New York.

The extravagance of the era depicted in the famous 1925 novel inspired the collection’s ensemble of four necklaces, pictured below as a full set. 

Chopard Insofu necklace set
A sketch of the set of four necklaces in “Insofu” inspired by the Art Deco period and the novel “The Great Gatsby”


The shortest necklace in the set, a diamond choker, is set with a 2.50-carat square-cut emerald.  

The choker is complemented by a second necklace featuring pink sapphires and a 15.53-carat octagon-cut emerald, and a third necklace of alternating emeralds, pearls, and diamonds. 

A pink pearl sautoir, which Chopard said it added to bring softness and balance out the bolder pieces, completes the set. 

The “Insofu” collection also features a statement cuff, cocktail rings, earrings, long flowing necklaces and chokers evocative of the vibe of the Roaring Twenties. 



“In every stone lies a story, and my role is to listen and honor the natural magic they carry as treasures from the Earth,” Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele said. 

“With the ‘Insofu’ collection, it was about respecting this inherent beauty. I chose the finest quality stones from the heart of the emerald, pairing them with diamonds, pink sapphires, and pearls.”

Chopard Insofu emerald collection Caroline’s Couture
The model at left is wearing the “Insofu” elephant pendant, along with a heart-shaped ring and a pair of earrings from the collection paired with a “Caroline’s Couture” black silk organza dress. The model at right is wearing the collection’s pearl cuff bracelet and a pair of floral-inspired earrings paired with a silk gauze dress the brand said was shade-printed to incorporate the hues of the “Insofu” emerald and a touch of rose, a nod to the four-necklace set featuring emeralds paired with pink sapphires.


Scheufele accompanied the “Insofu” collection with five gowns from “Caroline’s Couture,” her collection of dresses designed to bring fashion and jewelry together in harmony. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

Chopard acquired the rough emerald a few years ago, with Scheufele unveiling it in Paris in 2022.

When working with rough diamonds, scientific tools can be used to precisely determine a rough stone’s yield. Cutting emeralds, however, is about finding and revealing their inherent beauty and brilliance, an undertaking that requires expertise, as the gemstone is delicate and prone to fractures, Chopard said.

The brand brought skilled gem-cutters from India to its Geneva workshops to study the gemstone and propose cuts, a process that took nearly a year. 

 
20250313_Insofu yield.jpg
Following a year of careful planning, the 6,225-carat “Insofu” yielded 850 carats of emeralds.


The “Insofu” resulted in 850 carats of polished emeralds, a yield of about 14 percent. 

To showcase the first gems cut from the “Insofu” rough, Chopard collaborated with actress Julia Roberts on a capsule collection that debuted last year.

This is the second time Chopard has opted to develop an entire collection from a single rough gemstone. 

The first was the “Garden of Kalahari” collection, born from a 342-carat rough diamond in 2017. 

Singer Sabrina Carpenter wore a piece from the collection to the Grammys earlier this year.

The brand said working with the “Insofu” rough represented a guarantee of traceability and an opportunity to collaborate more closely with those at the beginning of the supply chain.

Chopard employed Provenance Proof’s “Emerald Paternity Test,” developed by Gübelin Gem Lab, to ensure every emerald cut from the “Insofu” is traceable back to its origin.

The technology, launched in 2017, involves injecting DNA-based nanoparticles into the rough stone’s natural fissures, which stay intact through cutting and polishing, leaving a permanent marking on every gemstone that makes it identifiable, and traceable, for life.

“Traceability is more than a technical advancement; it is an ethical achievement,” Scheufele said. “The ‘Insofu’ collection reflects our belief that true beauty results from a genuine commitment to society and ethical practices.”

Chopard Caroline Scheufele
Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele (fourth from left) at the Insofu collection reveal


Part of the profits from each “Insofu” collection piece sold will be donated to support Elephant Family, a nonprofit that partners with conservation experts to protect Asian wildlife and the indigenous communities that live among them to mitigate human-elephant conflict, safeguard migratory corridors, and build a landscape that supports human-wildlife coexistence. 

“The final reveal of the ‘Insofu’ collection is a moment I have long awaited, one that could only be realized by aligning it with a meaningful cause to protect wildlife and nature—passions that have been close to my heart for many years,” Scheufele said.  

“I am deeply grateful to everyone involved, from the miners and stone cutters to our jewelry artisans, who contributed to shaping the extraordinary destiny of this unique gem. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the Elephant Family for this collaboration, which I hope will help shed light on the vital importance of conservation.” 

The Latest

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Al Capone Pocket Watch
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for Auction

The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.

Kat Florence Lumina
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K

Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Mark Henry Gumdrop Bypass Ring
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored Gemstones

Get a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.

Weekly QuizMay 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

GIA pearl report
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification System

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

GCALbySarine Diamond Journey Certificate_1872x1052.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the Spotlight

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

The late West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO Show

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

Watches of Switzerland store in Mall of America
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14%

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

Jorge Adeler, Wendy Adeler, Valentina Adeler
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.

Jose Hess Design Awards 2025 Trophy
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce Judges

The nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.

MJSA 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

Industry analyst Edahn Golan
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List

In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.

Beyoncé bolo tie necklace
MajorsMay 21, 2025
Beyoncé Dons Brilliant Earth Necklace During Cowboy Carter Tour

The bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.

Gem Legacy logo
SourcingMay 21, 2025
Gem Legacy Expands Advisory Council

The nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.

Annie Doresca
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, President

Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.

QVC Group logo
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from Nasdaq

The company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through Change

Communicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.

Luis Morais Miami Beach Flagship Interior
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 Years

The “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.

Exterior of Tanishq Santa Clara Storefront
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. Store

Tanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.

New Cartier store at Los Angeles airport
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024

Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.

Instappraise and NAJA logos
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025

Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.

Day’s Jeweler’s Tuscan Village Location Painting
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth Location

The retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.

Gemfields emeralds, rubies, sapphires
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern World

Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”

Saks on Amazon flagship window
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online Storefront

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy