Zambian emeralds iconic, says gemmologist

THE appreciation of Zambian emeralds is gaining momentum internationally because of their uniqueness, clarity and transparency that is characteristic of the gemstones, says Gemfields’ chief gemmologist, Elena Basaglia.

Ms Basaglia said Zambia’s Kagem Mine had continued to impress and capture the eye of some of the foremost gemstone buyers and jewellers around the world.

She said the growing popularity of the ‘evergreen’ gemstone from Lufwanyama was in part thanks to a growing love for the green gems but also the relentless passion for and promotion of the responsibly sourced gemstones by parent company Gemfields. This is contained in a statement issued by the Kagem communications department yesterday.

“To date, Kagem has contributed approximately US$107 million to the Zambian government in cumulative corporation taxes, mineral royalties and dividends,” reads the statement.

She said Kagem was the world’s largest emerald mine and source of ‘Inkalamu’ – the ‘Lion Emerald’ – a 5,655 carat Zambian emerald crystal with remarkable clarity and a perfectly balanced golden green hue - one of the most outstanding and unique stones to have come from the mine. Gemfields have only named stones twice before - the last in 2010 when the 'Insofu' or elephant stone was unveiled. That stone weighed in at 6,225 carats. Jewellery featuring Zambian emeralds includes Fabergé’s Lady Libertine II timepiece presenting a dial set with a central cabochon Kagem emerald, surrounded by hand-carved Kagem emeralds, set with white diamonds and mother-ofpearl, within a diamond set bezel and a manual-winding movement, encased in a 36mm 18 karat white gold case,. Kagem is 75 percent owned by Gemfields and 25 percent by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Proceeds from its regularly held auctions are fully repatriated to Zambia, with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Zambia being paid on the full sales prices achieved at an auction.