Emeralds from Zambia: A Region That Has Become a Must-Visit Destination

For a long time, talking about emeralds meant talking about Colombia. Those days are gone. Since the 2010s, Zambia has established itself as a major player in the global market in terms of volume. Here’s what you need to know about this region, which has become a key player.

Zambia's Place in the Global Market

Zambia is the world's second-largest producer of emeralds by value, behind Colombia. But in terms of volume, it consistently surpasses Colombia. The mining region is concentrated in the Copperbelt Province, in the north-central part of the country, around the Kafubu River.

The commercial history of Zambian emeralds is relatively recent. The first discoveries of beryl in the area date back to 1928, but significant mining did not begin until the 1970s. The market truly took shape starting in 2008, when the British company Gemfields took over the Kagem mine in partnership with the Zambian government.

Today, Zambia plays a stabilizing role in the global market. When Colombian production fluctuates or exports are disrupted, Zambia supplies workshops in Jaipur, Bangkok, and Antwerp. Gemfields’ auctions in Singapore and Bangkok have sold more than $1 billion worth of rough Zambian emeralds since 2009.

Major Mines: Kagem and the Kafubu Area

The Kafubu area, located south of Kitwe and west of Ndola, accounts for the bulk of Zambia's production. It covers approximately 200 km², which the government has designated as the Ndola Rural Emerald Restricted Area.

Kagem, the world's largest emerald mine

Kagem is the world's largest open-pit emerald mine. It is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Zambian government through the Industrial Development Corporation. The site covers 41 km² and extends 160 meters deep into its main pit, Chama.

Kagem alone accounts for approximately 25% of global emerald production. In 2024, it mined 40.3 million carats of emeralds and beryl, including 159,351 carats classified as “premium” quality. The mine employs approximately 1,150 people and is certified to ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (health and safety).

Other mines in the area

• Grizzly Mining: the second-largest producer in the area, an independent mining company
• Kamakanga: a historic deposit, with production that is more artisanal in nature
• Chantete and Pirala: smaller sites, complementary production
• Chibolele and Fibolele: extensions of the Kagem area, which were opened more recently

Together, these mines form a mining ecosystem whose combined production accounts for well over 25% of the global market.

The Unique Geology of Zambian Emeralds

Zambian emeralds belong to the category of schist-hosted deposits (embedded in schist), just like emeralds from Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. This distinguishes them geologically from Colombian emeralds, which form in sedimentary rocks.

Crystallization occurs at the interface between two types of rock: a talc-magnetite schist rich in chromium and iron, and beryllium-rich pegmatites. Emeralds form in the reaction zone between the two, where these chemical elements combine.

Zambian emeralds are among the oldest in the world: they crystallized about 500 million years ago in metamorphic rocks that are themselves 1.6 billion years old. By comparison, Colombian emeralds are “only” 30 to 65 million years old.

The Zambian color: why is it bluish?

The defining characteristic of Zambian emeralds is their slightly bluish-green color, which is often darker than that of Colombian emeralds. This shade is not a result of the deposit itself; it stems directly from the chemistry of the host rock.

Every emerald derives its green color from a coloring agent that replaces aluminum in the beryl structure. In Colombia, this agent is primarily chromium, which produces a pure, warm green. In Zambia, chromium is also present, but along with a significant amount of iron. The iron adds a blue component to the hue, shifting the color toward blue-green.

Practical implications for the buyer:

• A denser, deeper green under certain lighting conditions
• A color that remains more consistent across different lighting conditions than Colombian varieties (which can appear greener in sunlight and yellower under artificial light)
• These stones are often darker in color for the same weight, which may be a better fit for settings in yellow or rose gold

Emeralds from Zambia or Colombia: The Differences

The two origins are not mutually exclusive; they simply have different characteristics. Here is a brief comparison.

The choice between Zambia and Colombia depends on personal preference and budget. A good-quality Zambian emerald offers excellent value for its color. A Colombian emerald remains the benchmark for those seeking the purest green—provided they are willing to accept more inclusions and a higher price.

The Price of Zambian Emeralds

The price of a Zambian emerald follows the same 4Cs criteria as all emeralds: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. However, for comparable quality, Zambian emeralds are priced 20 to 40 percent lower than equivalent Colombian emeralds.

Here is an estimate of the market size for 2026 (faceted gemstones):

Gemfields’ auctions provide a useful benchmark: in September 2025, the average price per carat for high-quality rough stones was $160.78 per carat. Once cut, polished, and certified, these stones sell for 5 to 10 times that price on the retail market.

Source cited. For the gemmological characteristics and mapping of Zambian deposits, seethe Gemological Institute of America's study on the Kagem Mine.