During Paris Haute Couture Week, Chopard has presented a truly exceptional gemstone.
The Chopard Insofu Emerald is one of the most extraordinary rough stones ever to be presented. At 6,225 carats this rare stone discovered in the Kagem mine in Zambia is one of the most important ever found in terms of both its weight and quality.
Remarkable jewels will be carved from this extremely rare emerald as part of the upcoming Haute Joaillerie collection.
Zambia is known for its renowned landscape and incredible fertility of its geological strata. It is estimated that the precious stones to come were already forming their nourishing cocoon 500 million years ago and leading gemstone mining company Gemfields has learned all the secrets of this biotope through respectful exploration.
Chopard Insofu Emerald ©Eric Sauvage
In an open-pit mine in Kagem at the heart of a rich and well-preserved biotope, that this rare emerald was found.
Insofu is a name showing respect for this emerald’s land of origin, since it means “elephant” in the Bemba language because of its shape evoking the animal’s trunk.
Unlike a diamond, which can be analysed with precision to determine how the final stones will look, emerald is a dark stone that will only reveal its full potential during the cutting process. It is also the most fragile gem of all: a wrongly positioned impact can shatter the stone into a multitude of irrecoverable fragments.
This traceability of this stone enables Caroline Scheufele to accompany each stage of its development right the way through to the final piece of jewellery.
Kagem Mine in Zambia
She says: “It is profoundly moving to be confronted with the beauty and mystery of such a treasure, collected from the depths of the Earth, formed millions of years ago, and which has come to us at last to be enhanced by the hand of artisans who will reveal the full extent of its beauty while transcribing the emotions it arouses”.
“Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by precious stones and lucky enough to work with some of the most beautiful in the world. For reasons that escape any form of rationale, some of them blow you away immediately, but the feeling that overcame me with the Insofu Emerald surpassed any emotion I have ever known. From the moment I saw it, I knew that it would be a hugely important stone for Chopard and I am immensely excited to begin this adventure today.” She continued.
