Jewelry’s intrinsic value is widely recognized, with pieces such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings prized not only for their design and craftsmanship but also for the precious materials used, such as gold, diamonds, and other valuable metals and stones.
However, the factors that make certain gems exceptionally valuable can be less clear. While cut, clarity, color, and carat weight are commonly assessed, other elements can significantly impact a stone’s worth. A gem’s value may increase due to its notable previous owner (such as the Taylor-Burton diamond), its rare geographic origin (like the velvety-blue Kashmir sapphires), or even the rough from which it was cut (for instance, the famous Cullinan diamond and its subsequent stones).
One such gem that has already begun to make its mark in the world of high jewelry is the Insofu emerald. Chopard’s latest high-jewelry collection draws both inspiration and material from this remarkable 6,255-carat emerald, discovered in Zambia’s Kagem mine in 2010. The gem was named Insofu, meaning “elephant” in the local Bemba language, due to its massive size and resemblance to an elephant’s trunk. The collection, named Insofu after the gemstone, is already being hailed as legendary in the making.
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