Gemfields has unveiled an 11,685-carat rough emerald it unearthed earlier this month — the largest exceptional-quality gemstone to come from its Kagem mine in Zambia.
The stone — which the company has named Imboo, or “buffalo” in the native Bemba language — stars in the miner’s current high-quality emerald auction, Gemfields said Tuesday. The sale began on Monday and runs through September 11.
“Even under the beam of strong light that is necessary to illuminate a gemstone of this remarkable size, Imboo reveals an intense, verdant green touched with golden warmth, and a clarity that captivates the eye,” said Adrian Banks, the company’s managing director of product and sales. “It is easy to imagine Imboo giving rise to several fine-quality cut emeralds of significant size. Such a rare collection could form an entire high-jewelry suite from this single gemstone.”
Gemfields will offer Imboo’s buyer the option of using Provenance Proof nanoparticle-tagging technology to make the emerald traceable even after cutting and polishing.
The name Imboo evokes the buffalo’s determination, endurance, sense of community, and sheer size, according to Gemfields, which has a history of naming special emeralds from Kagem after Zambian wildlife. In 2010, the company dug up the 6,225-carat Insofu, or “elephant,” and the 5,655-carat Inkalamu, which means “lion,” came on the scene in 2018. Three years later, Gemfields retrieved the 7,525-carat Chipembele — the “rhino” emerald.
Geologist Dharanidhar Seth discovered Imboo at Kagem’s Chama pit on August 3, together with veteran chiseler Justin Banda.
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