Gemfields Unearths 5,655ct. Emerald

RAPAPORT... Gemfields has recovered a 5,655-carat emerald at itsKagem mine in Zambia, it said Monday. "The discovery of this exceptional gemstone is such animportant moment both for us and for the emerald world in general," said ElenaBasaglia, a gemologist at Gemfields in London. "We are experiencing strikinglyincreased demand for high-quality Zambian emeralds from the major brands,particularly in Europe." The emerald has "remarkable clarity and a perfectlybalanced golden-green hue," Gemfields noted. Geologist Debapriya Rakshit andveteran miner Richard Kapeta found it on October 2 in the eastern part of Kagem'slargest open-pit mine, from which the company has unearthed several significant stonesrecently. Gemfields named the stone the Inkalamu, or Lion Emerald, inhonor of two of its conservation partners - the Zambian Carnivore Programme andthe Niassa Carnivore Project. It will sell the piece at its next auctionin Singapore in November, and donate 10% of the proceeds to those groups, itsaid. "We expect a number of large, fine-quality cut emeraldsto be borne of the Inkalamu crystal," added Adrian Banks, Gemfields' managingdirector for product and sales. "These important pieces are what return valueto the buyer, and there might be hundreds of offcuts that are fashioned intosmaller gems, cabochons and beads, but the key lies in recovering the fine-qualitypieces. Given this emerald is such a rare find, it is also perfectlyconceivable that the buyer will choose to purchase it as an investment." Gemfields will use G? 1/4 belin Gem Lab's traceability program,Provenance Proof, to ensure the emerald's origins remain identifiable, itadded. All smaller stones cut from the Inkalamu will also carry the trackingtechnology. Image: The 5,655-carat emerald. (Gemfields)