SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’
The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
Mined in Zambia by Gemfields, “The Legacy Emerald” boasts a rare combination of size, high clarity and transparency, beautiful crystallization, and a saturated green color, Eshed-Gemstar said.
Ramat Gan, Israel—Eshed-Gemstar, a family-led gemstone and diamond supplier based in Israel, is transforming a 104-gram (520-carat) rough emerald it acquired at Gemfields’ high-quality emerald auction in May.
The stone was recovered from the Kagem mine in Zambia, and its new owners have named it “The Legacy Emerald.”
The purchase price was not disclosed, but Eshed-Gemstar said the price paid represented a “record-breaking” value per gram for a Zambian emerald rough weighing more than 100 grams.
“The value reflects its extremely rare combination of size, exceptionally high clarity for a rough of this scale, crystallization, saturated green color, and potential to produce important investment-grade emeralds,” said Liran Eshed, general manager of Eshed North America.
Following a period of careful evaluation and planning—a critical part of the stone’s transformation, Liran noted—the cutting process began.
Gemstar has been documenting it on Instagram.
The stone was recovered from the Kagem mine in Zambia, and its new owners have named it “The Legacy Emerald.”
The purchase price was not disclosed, but Eshed-Gemstar said the price paid represented a “record-breaking” value per gram for a Zambian emerald rough weighing more than 100 grams.
“The value reflects its extremely rare combination of size, exceptionally high clarity for a rough of this scale, crystallization, saturated green color, and potential to produce important investment-grade emeralds,” said Liran Eshed, general manager of Eshed North America.
Following a period of careful evaluation and planning—a critical part of the stone’s transformation, Liran noted—the cutting process began.
Gemstar has been documenting it on Instagram.
“The strategy has been to respect the natural crystal while unlocking the best possible combination of size, clarity, color, beauty, and long-term value,” Liran said.
They are not going for speed, or even the highest possible yield, he said.
“Our goal is to produce a group of exceptional, investment-grade emeralds with strong color, high clarity, important sizes, and transparent provenance.”
At the auction, it was clear to Eshed right away that “The Legacy Emerald,” with its rare combination of size, clarity, crystallization, and color, was essentially the holy grail.
“Large emerald rough of this scale normally comes with significant compromises, particularly in clarity and internal structure,” Liran said.
“This rough was immediately different. It allowed us to see deeply into the crystal and recognize clean, gem-quality areas with the potential to produce important no-oil emeralds.”
Gemfields had graded the rough as 6B, which Gemstar called an “exceptional” grade for rough of that size, as stones of that quality are generally much smaller.
“In our experience, a combination like this may appear only once every 30 years,” Liran said.
Eshed-Gemstar is led by second-generation diamond expert Avraham Eshed, together with his sons Lior and Liran.
The company said it has decades of experience and deep expertise in sourcing, evaluating, cutting, and manufacturing exceptional stones.
In addition to “The Legacy Emerald,” Eshed-Gemstar owns the 7,525-carat “Chipembele” emerald, which it acquired a few years, also from the Kagem mine.
The Chipembele holds the Guinness World Record for largest uncut emerald.
“In our experience, a combination like this may appear only once every 30 years,” Liran said.
Eshed-Gemstar is led by second-generation diamond expert Avraham Eshed, together with his sons Lior and Liran.
The company said it has decades of experience and deep expertise in sourcing, evaluating, cutting, and manufacturing exceptional stones.
In addition to “The Legacy Emerald,” Eshed-Gemstar owns the 7,525-carat “Chipembele” emerald, which it acquired a few years, also from the Kagem mine.
The Chipembele holds the Guinness World Record for largest uncut emerald.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
