Paraiba Tourmaline

Rare blue Paraiba tourmaline

Paraiba is the rarest and most expensive variety of tourmaline. Some specimens can easily compete in value with large diamonds of the highest characteristics. Paraiba tourmaline is distinguished by the brightest color palette, varying from sky-blue and turquoise shades to light green rich tones. Paraiba crystals are recognized as the reference of neon-blue colors on the gemstone market. The presence of copper and manganese in the minerals determines the unique coloring of these tourmalines. It is necessary to note that not all blue and blue-colored tourmalines belong to the Paraiba species. It is the presence of copper ions that is the main factor that allows us to call blue tourmaline a Paraiba tourmaline.

Brazil mines up to 80% of tourmalines of different kinds. This country is also home to the unique tourmaline Paraiba, which was named after the Brazilian state of Paraiba. It is in this state that the first samples of Paraiba were discovered in 1987. The unique sky-blue tourmalines were found by the local prospector Eitor Dimas Barbosa, who spent several years looking for these minerals. The stones he found were of such unseen color that they were immediately sold by the traders, who spread the word about the new type of tourmaline all over the world.

Almost till the end of the twentieth century, everybody was sure of the absolute uniqueness of the Brazilian deposit of this type of tourmaline. At the end of 2001, specialists were surprised to find neon-blue tourmalines from Nigeria in the Eduku deposit on the jewelry market. The analysis of the chemical composition of the stones showed the presence of copper and manganese admixtures, which determine the color shades. African samples tend to be less saturated compared to the Brazilian Paraiba.

Further, in 2003, analogues of the Brazilian tourmalines were found in Mozambique, in the region of Alto Ligonha at the Muyane mine. These stones also contain copper, slightly less manganese, and impurities of lead, beryllium, gallium, and bismuth. Today the majority of copper-containing tourmalines on the market come from Mozambique. There are very few Brazilian stones on the market, and as a rule, they do not weigh more than 2-3 carats. It is important to mention that the cost of Brazilian stones is several times higher than that of African stones. African stones may weigh up to ten carats.

Paraiba from Brazil or Mozambique?

Despite the large difference in price, Paraiba tourmalines from Mozambique of high quality jewellery can give beauty Brazilian reference gems. Also there is a misconception that the Paraiba from Mozambique cannot be called Paraiba unlike the Brazilian, so it is important to note that African blue tourmaline that contains copper ions, officially recognized by the international Gemological community Paraiba tourmaline, along with samples from Brazil. In the expert reports of the world's most reputable laboratories, stones whose blue color is due to copper always state that the tourmaline in question is of the "Paraiba Tourmaline" type regardless of its region of origin.

Ennoblement of the Paraiba tourmaline

Most Paraiba tourmalines undergo refinement by heat treatment to achieve a better color gamut. The natural coloring of Mozambican specimens usually has a palette of purple, pinkish, green, and yellowish-green hues. After the thermal treatment the primary colors disappear, and the crystals acquire a noble neon-blue coloring. Brazilian Paraiba specimens initially have a sky-blue color. Heat treatment eliminates purple tints and improves the blue color saturation. It is important to note that heat treatment of the Paraiba tourmaline crystals is a common practice, and due to the great rarity of this gemstone, heat treatment of the top specimens practically has no effect on the price.

Medium commercial quality tourmalines of Paraiba with lots of inclusions and cracks use different polymers to fill in the cracks, thus improving the clarity of the stone. Stones of this quality can often be faceted into cabochons. Of course, heat treatment and artificial enhancement of the clarity decrease the price of the stones greatly. You should look closely at the examination report on the tourmaline you are purchasing, which is issued by the gemological laboratory.

The price per carat of Paraiba tourmaline

Paraiba tourmalines from the Brazilian deposits are very rare lots in the world jewelry market, like the Burmese rubies. The geographical origin here is the main pricing factor. The gems are supplied from Mozambique, have a lower cost relative to Brazilian. High quality Brazilian tourmaline can have a much smaller mass than Mozambique, but have several times more the price for 1 carat. The price is the most pure and high-quality Paraiba blue color comparable to the price of good diamonds and is $20000-$30000 per carat. The cost of the Paraiba from Mozambique, depending on the purity and color saturation is in the range of $1500-9000 per carat.

In recent years the price for Paraiba tourmalines on the market is growing rapidly, sometimes 20-30% a year. Paraiba is often bypasses at a cost per carat non-heated sapphires and Colombian emeralds that translates these minerals are in the highest price category. The price for one-carat tourmalines often exceeds several tens of thousands of dollars. Today the gem heads the list of most attractive investment gems.

Neon glow of Paraiba tourmaline

Tourmalines, as well as emeralds, are categorized as gems of the second clarity group. This means that they are permissible for a greater number of inclusions, and this has less effect on their value. Paraiba tourmalines are characterized by white or translucent gas and liquid veils. We should not be afraid of them, because these very veils enhance the effect of neon blue glow thanks to the optical effect of iridescence (iridescent color glow in bright light) and may even increase the color saturation visually. This effect is more pronounced on stones with such inclusions than on pure specimens. Thus, Paraiba tourmalines with a small number of inclusions can be more affordable and still have the same effect on others.

Interesting facts about Paraiba tourmaline

• The Arunashi mermaid brooch made of white gold is a true work of art. To decorate the brooch, 2.2 carats of Paraiba and 5.35 carats of exquisite diamonds were used. The ring from the Sutra brand is truly noble; it is decorated with six diamonds and seven pear-shaped tourmalines with a total weight of 8 carats. This jewelry masterpiece is valued at $130,000.
• An outstanding work by the famous designer Giampiero Bodino is considered to be an amazing "Baroque" necklace. The ornament was made of white gold and decorated with African Paraiba stones weighing 326 carats and encircled with numerous diamonds.
• A flight of fancy is called the golden ring by Dior with magnificent big crystal of Paraiba framed with spessartines, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds.