FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
AUGUST 26, 2025
Gemfields unveils Imboo – Kagem’s 11,685 carat ‘buffalo’ emerald – at its latest auction
KITWE, ZAMBIA – Gemfields is delighted to introduce Imboo (‘buffalo’) at its latest high-quality emerald auction, which runs from 25 August to 11 September 2025, with all sales proceeds repatriated to Zambia.
At 2.337 kilograms – equivalent to 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 (IDC).
“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.
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 kilograms, Imboo is the largest single gemstone discovery of exceptional quality at Kagem to date.
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 Bemba and Lamba, 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. The first human being to come into contact with the gemstone is also perhaps the most critical in ensuring its successful recovery.
“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.
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.
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). This reinforces the geological importance of the conditions found in the Chama pit.
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.
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.”
-Ends-
Please find link to high resolution imagery of Kagem’s Imboo (‘buffalo’) emerald HERE
Please Caption: Imboo, the 11,685 carat ‘buffalo’ emerald, Kagem 2025, Courtesy of Gemfields
CONTACT
Enquiries
Gillian Langmead
Langmead & Baker Ltd
Tel: +260 979 060705
info@langmead.com
Head office
Helena Choudhury
Head of PR and Communications
helena.choudhury@gemfields.com
Albertina Namburete
PR Manager
Albertina.namburete@gemfields.com
Kagem responsible sourcing highlights
- Kagem is committed to ensuring that the community continues to benefit positively from its operations through various sustainability programmes focused on alleviating poverty and aligned with government policies, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030.
- Up to December 2022, Kagem had spent USD 3 million on community projects, and has committed further.
- Kagem constructed, expanded and rehabilitated 5 schools providing education to more than 2,000 students.
- Kagem committed USD 345,000 on top of previous provisions of USD 345,000 in university scholarships in geology and mining engineering.
- Kagem and Gemfields Foundation built and equipped two computer labs at Kapila Primary School and Chapula Secondary School.
- Kagem constructed 1 fully equipped health centre, the Nkana Health Centre, serving a population of 10,000.
- Kagem improved Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s palaces and rehabilitated 18.7km road connecting Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s chiefdoms.
- Kagem provides support to 5 farming associations benefiting more than 100 farmers and their families.
- Kagem supports the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) having committed a total of USD 400,000 since 2018 to 2027 and provided a one-off donation of USD 70,000 to the North Luangwa Conservation Programme (NLCP).
- Kagem signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Zambia to fund the construction of the Chapula Vocational Training Centre in Lufwanyama.
- Kagem employs more than 1,500 people, of which, 94% are Zambian nationals.
About Kagem Mining
Kagem Mining Ltd, based in Lufwanyama, is believed to be the world’s single largest-producing emerald mine. Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields, in a model partnership with the Zambian government.
Kagem aims to emulate the values of Gemfields and operate in a way that contributes positively to the national economy, while taking a leading role in modernising the coloured gemstone sector and building sustainable livelihoods for the communities around the mine. Kagem believes that coloured gemstones should be mined and marketed by championing three key values –transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones. In addition to Kagem, Gemfields is the operator and 75% owner of Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique (one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), as well as bulk sampling licences in Ethiopia, amongst others.
Gemfields has developed a proprietary grading system and a pioneering auction and trading platform to provide a consistent supply of coloured gemstones to the global jewellery market.
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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