12-11-2021
An over 7,500 carats uncut emerald from Zambia (as shown in photos) will be sold at the next Gemfields emerald auction. Part of the proceeds will support a local conservation programme in the African country.
Named ‘Chipembele’ (‘rhino’) in the local indigenous dialect of Bemba, the 7,525-carat stone was discovered at Gemfields’ Kagem emerald mine in Zambia on 13 July 2021 by geologist Manas Banerjee and Richard Kapeta.
The huge rough was formed under near-perfect conditions, according to the London-based gemstone miner. “[The conditions allowed] the combination of the elements to crystalise into large, distinct hexagonal crystal structures with glassy surfaces. The rich, golden green hue and gemmy nature of this emerald will be appealing to buyers looking to yield fine quality faceted emeralds after the cutting and polishing process.”
A share of the proceeds of the sale will support the North Luangwa Conservation Programme in Zambia, to aid critical black rhinoceros conservation efforts. The winning bidder for the stone will be given the option of a unique DNA nano-tag identity, developed by Gübelin, ensuring that the cut and polished gems that it yields can be identified and certified as having originated from this extraordinary gemstone.
Prior to the discovery of Chipembele, ‘Insofu’ (Bemba for ‘elephant’) and ‘Inkalamu’ (‘lion’) were mined in 2010 and 2018 respectively within close proximity at the Kagem mine. (Photo courtesy: Gemfields)
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