Hang on to your hats…
Gemstone producer Gemfields today announced the discovery of an
“exceptional” 6,225 carat rough emerald in its Kagem mine in
Zambia.
The emerald was recovered during normal mining operations on
February 5, the company said in a statement, and is being
examined by Gemfields’ experts to establish a clearer
understanding of its value and significance.
The emerald has been named “Insofu” (which means “elephant” in
the language of the Bemba people indigenous to the region) due
to its size and in honour of the World Land Trust’s “Wild Lands
Elephant Corridor Project”, of which Gemfields is a participant.
Gemfields said its experts “will continue to evaluate the gem
before any final decision is taken in terms of its future”.
Ian Harebottle, chief executive of Gemfields, said: “This is a
unique find. The Insofu displays wonderful colour and good
translucency. Its sheer size, rich colour and fine protective
biotite shell make it difficult to see deep into the gem.
However, all indications suggest that the core of the emerald is
competent and that it should yield a number of cut gems of
significant size.”
The largest uncut emerald believed to have been found was in
Carnaiba, Brazil in 1974. It was an incredible 86,136-carat
natural beryl crystal. The stone was eventually valued at
$1,120,080. The largest emerald crystal ever discovered was
7,025 carats and was found in a mine in Colombia
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