Gemfields Unveils Giant 11685 Carat Imboo Emerald

Gems News: A Landmark Discovery at Kagem Mine

Gemfields has stunned the global gemstone industry with the unveiling of an extraordinary 11,685 carat rough emerald discovered at its famed Kagem mine in Zambia. Named Imboo — the Bemba word for buffalo — this monumental stone represents the largest high-quality emerald ever recovered from the operation, and one of the most significant finds in gemstone history. Currently headlining the company’s high-quality emerald auction, which runs from August 25 to September 11, 2025, the Imboo emerald is already being hailed as a marvel of nature and human discovery. Halfway through this Gems News report, it becomes clear why the emerald world is electrified by its reveal.

The 11,685-carat Imboo emerald
Image Credit: Gemfields

The Splendor of Imboo

Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ Managing Director of Product and Sales, described Imboo as “an intense, verdant green touched with golden warmth, and a clarity that captivates the eye.” Even under strong illumination, which is required to assess stones of such size, Imboo maintains remarkable transparency and depth of color. Experts suggest the gem could yield several fine emeralds of extraordinary size, potentially forming a complete high-jewelry suite from a single stone. Beyond its sheer mass, the combination of color saturation and clarity is what places Imboo in a class of its own.

Setting New Records in the Gem World

To put the scale of this discovery in perspective, the famous Gachala Emerald preserved at the Smithsonian Institution weighs only 858 carats — less than a tenth of Imboo’s weight. At an astonishing 2.3 kilograms, Imboo firmly enters the record books as one of the world’s largest gem-quality emeralds. Its discovery also solidifies Zambia’s Copperbelt Province as one of the world’s foremost sources of exceptional emeralds.

Provenance and Traceability

Gemfields is offering Imboo’s future buyer the chance to apply Provenance Proof nanoparticle-tagging technology, ensuring the emerald remains traceable even after being cut and polished. This step reflects a growing emphasis on ethical sourcing and transparency in the global gemstone trade, giving confidence to jewelers and collectors alike.

A Tradition of Naming Giants

Imboo joins a prestigious lineage of named emeralds discovered at Kagem, each inspired by the wildlife of Zambia. In 2010, the company unearthed Insofu (the “elephant”), weighing 6,225 carats, followed in 2018 by Inkalamu (the “lion”), at 5,655 carats. Three years later, the 7,525 carat Chipembele (the “rhino”) was recovered. Imboo, the “buffalo,” now stands as the largest and arguably the most captivating of them all, symbolizing endurance, strength, and community spirit.

The Story Behind the Discovery

The emerald was uncovered on August 3, 2025, at Kagem’s Chama pit by geologist Dharanidhar Seth alongside veteran chiseler Justin Banda. Their discovery underscores the synergy of scientific expertise and artisanal skill that continues to drive the mining industry forward. The find has also boosted morale among Gemfields’ workforce and reignited excitement in the gemstone market at a time when spectacular discoveries have become increasingly rare.

What Lies Ahead for Imboo

As the auction progresses, anticipation is mounting over who will secure this unprecedented gem and what its eventual destiny will be — whether cut into museum-worthy stones or preserved as a single, awe-inspiring specimen. Regardless of the outcome, the Imboo emerald has already reshaped expectations of what is possible in gemstone mining and has reinforced Gemfields’ reputation as a pioneer in responsible emerald production.

The Imboo emerald is not only a treasure of nature but also a symbol of perseverance and innovation in the gemstone world. Its discovery highlights the enduring allure of emeralds and the role Zambia plays as a powerhouse in the global colored gem market. With its size, beauty, and traceable provenance, Imboo may set a new benchmark for high-value gems in the years ahead. For now, it stands as a beacon of wonder and a reminder of the mysteries that still lie beneath the earth’s surface — waiting to be uncovered by those determined enough to seek them.

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