Paraíba Tourmaline was first discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, in the São José da Batalha region – hence its name – then in Nigeria in 2000 and later in Mozambique in 2004.
Some 600 million years ago, a unique geological event created the most spectacular variety of gemstone in the Tourmaline group – Paraíba Tourmaline.
It’s important to point out a phenomenon: African Tourmalines tend to be much larger than Brazilian Tourmalines and can be produced in larger quantities, which can ultimately affect carat prices. Here it is rare to find a Paraiba Tourmaline weighing more than 5 carats, while in Africa there are several specimens weighing more than 10 carats, including the world’s largest cut Paraiba from Mozambique.
Paraiba tourmaline is found in only five mines in the world, three of which are in Brazil, where the most valuable specimens come from.
However, production is very scarce, almost extinct, making it increasingly expensive and coveted.
The country’s major jewellers have a few pieces with the precious stone under lock and key, and the value of one of these exclusive jewels can reach R$3 million.
At first, Brazilians didn’t pay much attention to the new discovery, but the Japanese were fascinated by the gems and began buying them in Asia and reselling them at incredible prices.
The production of Paraiba Tourmaline is decreasing every year. Just 20,000 carats a year, compared to 480 million for diamonds.
Tourmalines come in many colours, including blue (indicolite), but it was their chemical composition that led to the discovery of this hitherto unknown stone. The presence of small traces of copper and manganese gives Paraíba this neon or greenish blue, a brilliant and unique colour.
Although they are not more expensive than diamonds, rare gemstones give jewellery exclusivity. To assess the quality of a gemstone, experts use the four Cs: cut, clarity, carat and, above all, colour.
In addition, the rarity of a gemstone and the exclusive design of a piece of jewellery can cause its price to multiply rapidly.
Paraiba Tourmalines have always captivated the gemstone world with their beauty and electrifying colours.
It became popular almost immediately and is now one of the most sought-after and valuable gemstones in the world.
The discovery of the Paraiba Tourmaline, after it was first observed by the human eye, created a strong emotional impact due to its vivid and brilliant blue colour.
Because they are so rare, jewellers don’t usually break the stones, but work them more or less as they appear.
This makes it difficult to make earrings, for example, which require very similar stones.
Cutting the Paraiba Tourmaline
Cutting is fundamental to enhancing the brilliance of the stone: it is faceted at specific angles to allow light to penetrate and return to the eye with maximum beauty.
Cutting enhances colour and brilliance, bringing out the best in the stone.
The value of Paraíba Tourmaline
Expectations always point to higher prices as demand grows faster than supply. Five-figure prices per carat are not uncommon for good quality neon blue gems, and over 5 carats for greenish blue gems.
It’s love at first sight: the gem has an inner glow of its own, a glorious neon blue that touches the heart. It’s pure emotion! When you hold one of these stones in the dark, it seems to glow, like a neon light.
It is the only transparent gemstone that has copper in its composition, which gives it this vibrant, luminous and electric colour. It is said that this gemstone, like the sun, has a light of its own!
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