CollectionsMar 13, 2025
Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine
Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
“Even under the beam of a strong light that is necessary to illuminate a gemstone of this remarkable size, ‘Imboo’ reveals an intense, verdant green with golden warmth and a clarity that captivates the eye,” said Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ managing director of product and sales. (Photo courtesy of Gemfields)
Bangkok—Kagem, the emerald mine Gemfields operates in partnership with the Zambian government, has yielded its biggest gem-quality stone yet—a 11,685-carat gemstone dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald.
Recovered Aug. 3, the gigantic gemstone is being offered in Gemfields’ latest high-quality emerald auction, which began Monday and runs to Sept. 11.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Gemfields did not provide an estimated sale price for the rough emerald, with a company spokesperson noting the miner never provides the value of individual lots offered at auction, only the auction total.
However, Gemfields Managing Director of Product and Sales Adrian Banks speculated in the statement that the Imboo could produce several fine-quality polished emeralds of “significant size.”
“Such a rare collection could form an entire high jewelry suite from this single gemstone,” he said, which is what Chopard did with the 6,225-carat “Insofu” emerald, also recovered from Kagem.
Recovered Aug. 3, the gigantic gemstone is being offered in Gemfields’ latest high-quality emerald auction, which began Monday and runs to Sept. 11.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Gemfields did not provide an estimated sale price for the rough emerald, with a company spokesperson noting the miner never provides the value of individual lots offered at auction, only the auction total.
However, Gemfields Managing Director of Product and Sales Adrian Banks speculated in the statement that the Imboo could produce several fine-quality polished emeralds of “significant size.”
“Such a rare collection could form an entire high jewelry suite from this single gemstone,” he said, which is what Chopard did with the 6,225-carat “Insofu” emerald, also recovered from Kagem.
“In my 30 years at Kagem, I’ve rarely seen such a remarkable formation of large, high-quality crystals. This is a true masterpiece carved by nature’s hand.” — Jackson Mtonga, Kagem sort house
According to Gemfields, geologist Dharanidhar Seth and Justin Banda, a veteran miner said to be “instrumental” in the extraction of many noteworthy gems, discovered the over 11,000-carat emerald in the mine’s Chama pit.
The pit is the portion of the mine that has yielded large emeralds in the past.
The Insofu was discovered there in 2010, followed by the 5,655-carat “Inkalamu” emerald in 2018, and the 7,525-carat “Chipembele” emerald in 2021.
Gemfields said the composition of Chama is a classic example of what’s known as a triple junction, where three distinct lithological and structural domains converge.
In the case of Kagem, which is located in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, they are a talc-magnetite schist, or TMS, layer; a concordant quartz-tourmaline, or QT, vein; and a discordant quartz-feldspar, or QF, vein.
This setting creates ideal conditions for the formation of emerald crystals, particularly large-sized crystals, Gemfields said.
In addition to the individual Imboo, Insofu, Inkalamu, and Chipembele emeralds, the Chama pit also produced the “Kafubu Cluster,” a group of emeralds weighing nearly 190,000 carats found in 2022.
In addition to coming from the same area of mine, the Imboo emerald shares another similar with the other large emeralds recovered from Kagem in the last 15 years—its name.
Imboo, pronounced “im-bow,” translates to “buffalo” in the local Bemba and Lamba dialects and continues Gemfields’ tradition of nodding to Zambia’s wildlife when naming exceptional emeralds, it said.
Insofu means “elephant,” while Inkalamu translates to “lion,” and Chipembele to “rhino.”
Gemfields said it named this particular stone with the buffalo’s “determination, endurance, sense of community, and, of course, its sheer size” in mind.
African buffalos, which are divided into four distinct sub-species, are about 4-5 feet tall and can weigh anywhere from 660 to nearly 2,000 pounds, according to the African Wildlife Foundation.
“In my 30 years at Kagem, I’ve rarely seen such a remarkable formation of large, high-quality crystals,” said Jackson Mtonga, the Kagem sort house’s grading manager.
“The immense size and nature of the crystal formation makes it fitting that this unique piece is given the name ‘buffalo,’ or ‘Imboo’ in our local languages. This is a true masterpiece carved by nature’s hand.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
