No other colored gemstone has experienced such a steep rise as the Paraiba tourmaline in the past thirty years. Since its discovery in the late 1980s, the characteristically turquoise tourmaline has practically ascended to the top tier of colored gemstones. The reason for this tourmaline's overwhelming popularity is its extraordinary neon-blue color. The intensely vibrant turquoise color is also called swimming pool blue or neon blue. The Paraiba tourmaline owes this special color to the color-giving elements copper and manganese. Only if the blue, blue-green, or green coloration of a tourmaline is due to the element copper may it be marketed under the variety name "Paraiba tourmaline". The color spectrum of Paraiba tourmalines ranges from intense blue through neon blue shades to blue-green turquoise shades and all the way to bright green.
The stone's name comes from its discovery site in the Brazilian state of Paraíba (see image on the right).
It is said to have been discovered there in the 1980s and has been officially available on the market since around 1987. Thanks to its fascinating brilliance, it quickly became the most popular and expensive type of tourmaline ever discovered. The price development over the past thirty years has been enormous.
Thus, the Paraiba tourmaline has been one of the most sought-after colored gemstones in the world for twenty years. It has long since joined the ranks of the great colored gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Even today, the legendary Paraiba tourmalines from the Brazilian state of Paraíba are the most coveted and expensive. However, the deposits in Brazil have long since been exhausted. In 2001, blue-green copper- and manganese-bearing tourmalines were discovered in Nigeria, and in 2005, the discovery site of Mozambique was added. Today, almost all Paraiba tourmalines available on the market come from Africa, no longer from Brazil. But the African deposits are also proving to be limited.
In terms of color, the African Paraiba tourmalines are often slightly less intense compared to the Brazilian ones. However, especially in Mozambique, special intermediate colors are being brought to light, such as intense grass-green or neon yellow-green Paraiba tourmalines.
It is interesting to know that the origin does play a role in the price of Paraiba tourmalines; much like what is known from rubies. Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines command top prices on the market. However, green and blue African tourmalines may also be called "Paraiba" due to the same chemical composition, provided that the coloration is due to the element copper.
For centuries, the traditional treatment technique of heating at low temperatures to enhance color has been used in gemstone processing. This is often also done with Paraiba tourmalines. Through careful heating, the color is changed from purple to blue.
Today, the intensely colored Paraiba tourmalines are true treasures that are considered not only impressive gemstones but also wearable investments. Paraiba tourmalines are the outperformer among colored gemstones. Thus, larger specimens in excellent quality are traded as investment stones. But overall, prices for this gemstone continue to rise steadily.
The continuous fascination for this stone is a phenomenon in itself, but interestingly also understandable to almost everyone. Paraiba tourmalines continue to cause genuine excitement.
Several Paraiba tourmalines are offered in the online shop; if you have special requests, you can contact us directly.
