Sourcing

11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

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.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
“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.

“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.

 Related stories will be right here … 

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.” 

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Seattle PD image of Menashe & Sons Jewelers following Aug. 14 smash-and-grab robbery
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs

The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.

Alison Lou Lumière Fine Collection On-Model
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and Resin

The “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Introducing GIA Jewelry Services

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Buddha Mama gold skull pave huggies
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted Halloween

Show off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.

Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Is This Love That I’m Feeling event imagery
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History Museum

The “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.

Stock image of person holding shopping bags
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence

Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.

DEBEERS_DAY4_DSC_1023-01_1872x1052.jpg
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond Jewelry

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

Couture show
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to Watches

The company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.

The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewelry by Beth Bernstein
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide

“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.

Collage of bug jewelry
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful Jewelry

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.

Gem Awards 2025 at Cipriani New York
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award Nominees

Notable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.

Graphic for Jewelers of America’s 2025 State of the Industry webinar
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry

Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.

Eriness One of One Collection Rings and Necklace
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ Collection

After experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.

Napoleon’s diamond brooch and a pearl and diamond hair ornament
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For Auction

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.

Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings stolen in the heist at the Louvre Museum
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist

One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.

Holiday shoppers in Target
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate Jobs

The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

Hill Management Group
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry Show

Hill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.

Bonhams New Bond Street London flagship
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives Replaced

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

De Beers Diamond View Zoom machine with monitor
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument Demo

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

Two brooches stolen in the October 2025 heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

Wyld Box Jewelry Ray of Light Large Drop Earrings
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ Earrings

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock pendant
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, Kering

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches by Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, Tobias Kargoll
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch History

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & Watches

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

Taylor Swift engagement ring Greenwich St
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds Edition

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bracelet
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the Holidays

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

×

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