Gemfields is delighted to introduce Imboo (‘buffalo’) at its latest high-quality emerald auction, which runs from 25 August to 11 September 2025. At 11,685 carats, Imboo is the latest, and largest, exceptional gemstone discovered at Kagem Mining (Kagem), believed to be the world’s single largest-producing emerald mine. Located in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, Kagem is 75% owned and operated by Gemfields, in partnership with the Zambian government through the Industrial Development Corporation.
A Rare Emerald with Unmatched Beauty
“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 touched with golden warmth and a clarity that captivates the eye,” explained Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ Managing Director – 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 jewellery suite from this single gemstone. This remarkable find may tempt its new owner to see it not only as a source of extraordinary gems, but as a unique investment destined to be remembered in the annals of exceptional emeralds,” he added.
Traceability and Provenance of Imboo
The new owner of Imboo will be offered the opportunity to deploy unique nanoparticle-tagging, courtesy of Gemfields’ longstanding partner Provenance Proof. Providing full traceability of the gemstone, even after it has been cut and polished, Provenance Proof enables future owners to be certain that their gem originated from Kagem – and that it was part of this historical find.
Previous Record-Breaking Emerald Discoveries
Kagem has earned a reputation for producing some of the largest high-quality emeralds ever found. Prior to the discovery of Imboo was the 6,225 carat Insofu (the ‘elephant’, 2010); the 5,655 carat Inkalamu (the ‘lion’, 2018); and the 7,525 carat Chipembele (the ‘rhino’, 2021). Weighing a staggering 2,337 grams – equivalent to 11,685 carats – Imboo is the largest single gemstone discovery of exceptional quality at Kagem to date.
Expert Reactions to the Discovery
“In my thirty years at Kagem, I’ve rarely seen such a remarkable formation of large, high-quality crystals,” commented Jackson Mtonga, Grading Manager – Sort House, Kagem. “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,” he concluded.
Cultural Significance of the Name ‘Imboo’
The naming of uncut emeralds is a tradition reserved only for the most rare and remarkable gems. The ‘buffalo’ emerald, or Imboo (pronounced ‘im-bow’) in the local Bemba and Lamba dialects, continues Kagem’s tradition of symbolising Zambia’s wildlife heritage, and in this instance, honouring the buffalo’s determination, endurance, sense of community and, of course, its sheer size.
Imboo was discovered at Kagem’s Chama pit on 3 August 2025 by geologist Dharanidhar Seth, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience, and Justin Banda, a veteran chiseller who has been instrumental in many successful recoveries of noteworthy gems by skilfully breaking them free from the surrounding matrix.
Geological Significance of the Discovery
The complex geological setting of Imboo’s discovery presents a classic example of the ‘Tri-Junction Model’, where three distinct lithological and structural domains converge. This creates ideal conditions for emerald crystallisation and is conducive to forming large-sized crystals, such as the three aforementioned exceptional crystals, as well as the Kafubu Cluster (a colossal 37,555-gram cluster of emeralds found in 2022).
Kagem’s Head of Geology, Hemant Azad, explained: “Each crystal tells a story of time, pressure, and elemental harmony – an ancient masterpiece revealed in our modern age.”
The recovery of Imboo also highlights the expertise and care of Kagem’s team, who use gentle, hand-based extraction techniques to preserve crystal integrity and minimise environmental impact.
Voices from the Kagem Geology Team
Kagem’s Debapriya Rakshit, Senior Manager – Geology, enthused: “Each emerald recovered at Kagem is a geological time capsule, brought to light after over 500 million years in darkness.”
About Gemfields
Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones. The operator and 75% owner of both the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia (believed to be the world’s single largest-producing emerald mine) and the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique (one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), Gemfields believes that those who mine gemstones should do so with transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Gemfields introduced a technologically advanced coloured gemstone sort house at its operation in Mozambique, with state-of-the-art equipment, like optical sorting machines. In addition, a proprietary grading system, a pioneering auction platform and an active marketing presence have all contributed to Gemfields playing a significant role in the rise of African gemstones.
Gemfields’ Responsible Mining and Conservation Efforts
Responsible mining for Gemfields means implementing industry-leading policies and practices across operations, transparency in its auction sales process, an active role in working groups to modernise the sector, projects to improve health, education and livelihoods for the communities around its mines, and conservation efforts (#conservationgemstones) to protect Africa’s great wildlife and biodiversity.
The Gemfields Foundation is the charitable arm of Gemfields, through which donors can contribute funding to directly support community and conservation projects in Africa, magnifying the scale of the work already carried out by Gemfields itself.
Building Global Desire for Coloured Gemstones
As well as supplying a significant share of the world’s rough rubies and emeralds, Gemfields initiates activations to build desire for coloured gemstones. For example, collaborations with international jewellery brands and other creative partners. Often surprising, unexpected and unique, these collaborations are chosen to promote consumer awareness and increase the appeal of coloured gemstones, raising their profile, and, in turn, providing greater benefit to their place of origin in Africa.
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