Lukusuzi Aquamarine

Pragnell has collaborated closely with the aquamarine mine in Lukusuzi for several years to procure the most precious gemstones for our exquisite one-off pieces. Aquamarine, a gem with a rich historical significance that spans centuries, is often associated with tranquillity and the sea, with hues from light green to vivid blue.

Nestled between the South Luangwa National Park and the Lukusuzi National Park, near the Lukusuzi River, lies a small area of extraordinary richness in gem deposits where rivers have washed these cherished stones down over thousands of years.

Near the Lukusuzi National Park in eastern Zambia, a small community of artisanal miners dig by hand for aquamarine in alluvial deposits.

Over thousands of years, the gems would have been softly washed down to Lukusuzi by the rivers flowing through the plains. The gems lie close to the surface, meaning the collective of miners from the Tombuka, Ngoni and Chewa tribes can liberate them from the alluvial plains by hand, causing minimum disruption to the landscape.

The Prize is Aquamarine

The rough gems we have procured from Lukusuzi so far display a range of shades from light green to dark blue, in sizes from 1 carat to 45 carats. There have been some examples where the colour is comparable to the famed Santa Maria aquamarines of Brazil, known to have a colour similar to that of deep Pacific Ocean sea water in the sunshine.

When our gemmologists first saw the Lukusuzi aquamarines, they were struck by their natural beauty. The majority of aquamarines found in Lukusuzi are a colour that is reminiscent of the crystal clean sea water amongst the Aegean islands.

Gems For Good

In addition to being beautiful, these gems do good. The discoveries by Lukusuzi miners, a small group of 25 gem hunters, support a community of more than 500. The local tribal chief coordinates their efforts to ensure profits are split fairly and invested back into the villages.

This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability, a value that we uphold across all aspects of our business. In line with this, we are forging closer ties with our suppliers and identifying sources of gems that not only provide our customers with a clear provenance but also contribute to the well-being of mining communities.

As a result, the Lukusuzi mines will now be our principal source of freshly mined aquamarine.

From Lukusuzi To Sri Lanka

Our gems are cut in Sri Lanka by artisans we know and trust, enabling us to have full visibility of the supply chain.

This allows us to create the unique and intriguing antique cushion and oval cuts, a rare sight in this gemstone. These are a favourite at Pragnell and work well with Aquamarines. The fewer, larger facets of these older-style cuts suit larger gemstones, enhancing their brightness and clarity.