LEARN MORE ABOUT Paraiba Tourmaline
Paraiba tourmaline is a rare, unique and vibrant gemstone discovered in Brazil in the 1980s, coveted for its neon blue to green hues and enhanced by copper and manganese — distinguishing it from other tourmaline stone.
The value of Paraiba tourmaline is evaluated based on color saturation, clarity, cut, and carat weight, with neon blue, high saturation, fewer inclusions, and larger size being most desirable.
Controversy exists within the gem industry on whether the term ‘Paraiba tourmaline’ should be limited to stones from its original Brazilian source or include those from Nigeria and Mozambique, which can affect the gemstone’s value.
Gemstone Attributes
| Mineral | Tourmaline (Elbaite) |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Na(Li1.5,Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4 |
| Color | Green - Blue |
| Refractive Index | 1.624 - 1.644 |
| Birefringence | 0.018 - 0.040 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.06 |
| Mohs Hardness | 7.0 - 7.5 |
Value of Paraiba Tourmaline
The tourmaline stone family boasts the unique and breathtaking Paraiba gemstone, known for its unrivaled neon blue color. This hue is made even more remarkable by a slight greenish tint that stands out to other blue stones and gems found around the world. As this exceptional natural stone of dazzling blues gains recognition, it increases in rarity, the stones price, making each genuine example an exquisite sight behold.
Paraiba’s unusual coloring has led to demand from collectors seeking something special amongst precious jewels. So if you have any chance at spotting a piece of authentic Paraiba don’t let your opportunity pass!
Paraiba Tourmaline Price
REGIONS AND SOURCES
Paraiba tourmalines, known for their intense color saturation and green secondary hue, have been discovered in
- Brazil
- Nigeria
- Mozambique
The most highly sought after source natural paraiba tourmaline are Brazilian stones as they offer an even deeper level of vibrancy compared to those from other regions making them a coveted gemstone among enthusiasts worldwide.
History and Discovery
The striking and vivid, neon blue colors of heat paraiba tourmaline, featuring slight green secondary hues, was introduced to the gemstone market when Heitor Dimas Barbosa discovered it in late 1980s at Batalha mine located in Paraiba state of Brazil. This discovery made this new variety stand out from other varieties of tourmalines, which earned its own place amongst all gems today. Setting itself apart due to that unique coloring- a mixture between stunningly brilliant blues alongside subtle greens, bringing an extraordinary view with every jewel piece containing such rare stone coming from the Brazilian region called Paraiba.
Paraiba TourmalinE PROPERTIES
The value of Paraiba tourmaline is based on 4 C’s that include color, clarity, cut and carat weight. To these factors, the origin and any enhancements done also have an impact when assessing worth. Carat weight in paraiba tourmalines expensive particular has a great influence as it weighs heavily into evaluating this special type of gemstone’s overall quality.
Color and Saturation
Paraiba tourmalines are greatly sought after and can come in various colors, ranging from neon blue to green, turquoise, sky blue, violet and purple. The level of color saturation of these prized gemstones heavily influences their worth. The most valuable pieces have intense blue hues with strong vividness while less saturated stones may be seen as being lower in value.
Clarity and Inclusions
Paraiba tourmalines are highly valued, and the clarity of liquid inclusions within a stone is one factor that affects its worth. Notable among such inclusions found on these stones are copper particles which got locked within it during formation. With those with fewer visible imperfections often commanding higher prices than their counterparts filled with blatant flaws.
It’s not easy to come across specimens without inclusions entirely, making them rare gems and contributing towards their elevated costliness.
Cut and Carat Weight
When evaluating the value of a Paraiba tourmaline, the cut is very influential. The stone should be properly crafted so that its luster and distinct color are exhibited optimally. Otherwise it may end up becoming dull or lackluster, which will devalue it significantly. You can find these precious stones in many shapes including ovals, pear shaped diamonds, and others with sparkling faceting. Size matters for this type of gemstones – usually they range from 3 to 5 carats per piece - heavier ones tend to cost more money each, per carat amount-wise than lighter versions do due to their greater rarity.
Paraiba Tourmaline's Unique Color
The Paraiba tourmaline gemstone, prized for its stunningly vibrant neon blue and green tones (from copper and manganese) stands out from other varieties of the precious mineral. These mesmerizing hues range from electric blues to subtle mint greens, a breathtaking feast for both the eyes as well as scientific minds alike.
PARAIBA TOURMALINE COLOR CHART
for comparison we have created the color tones commonly found in paraiba tourmaline.
Copper and Manganese
The Paraiba tourmaline is renowned for its captivating range of colours, from emerald green to turquoise and sky blue. This effect occurs thanks to copper and manganese present in the gemstone – when these elements combine via an exchange process, they create a vivid array featuring sapphire blue, indigo-hued violet and striking purple tones as well as intense blues with hints of bluish green. High levels of copper are associated with an almost electric blue hue that results in one-of-kind pieces every time, all exceptionally beautiful natural artworks.
special neon glow in paraiba
Paraiba is the only few natural gemstones that has a glowing effect in the gemstones which is extremely rare and special form that makes these gemstones special. The glow is from the chemical composition which causes this effect. The higher the glow the gems usually fetch a higher pricing in the market.
Paraiba Tourmaline Jewelry Designs
The majestic Paraiba tourmaline has earned its popularity for the marvelous shades of color it displays, making it an ideal choice when picking jewels. Whether selecting rings, earrings, pendants or necklaces, this gemstone will bring a subtle sophistication to any jewelry design with its stunning charm and hue.
Engagement Rings
Engagement rings with a rare Paraiba tourmaline stone are the perfect choice for those seeking something unique and extraordinary. Its rarity is one of its most coveted qualities, but what really sets these types of jewels apart from others is their exceptional color and luster.
Paraba touramline can be exquisitely combined with yellow or rose gold as well as other gemstones such as pink sapphire, morganite aquamarine, and blue sapphires to achieve stunning ring designs that will bring out the best in them all. White gold works especially beautifully due to its contrast against any hue found within this special type of gemstone.
Earrings, Necklaces, and Bracelets
Paraiba tourmalines offer dazzling statement pieces that come in the form of necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Showcasing its glowing neon coloration and impressive clarity is easy to do with designs such as flower studs set on 18k gold or a single solitaire pendant. To bring out even more beauty from these stones, they are often arranged together with other precious gems like diamonds, emeralds and also different types of tourmaline crystals for an extra luxurious touch.
Caring for Your Paraiba Tourmaline Jewelry
To protect the beauty and sparkle of your Paraiba tourmaline jewelry, certain precautions should be taken to ensure that it is properly cared for. This includes using appropriate cleaning methods as well as being cautious when storing or handling them in order to prevent damage while preserving its value and appearance.
Cleaning Methods
When it comes to cleaning Paraiba tourmaline, one should use a soft brush with some water and mild soap. This is the safest method for scrubbing off dirt and grime without risking potential damage from ultrasonic cleaners or steamers. It’s essential to refrain from harsh chemicals as they can deteriorate this precious gemstone, ruining its beauty in the process. Thus gentle care of your jewelry is recommended when handling paraiba tourmalines!
Storage and Handling
For keeping the beauty and worth of Paraiba tourmaline jewelry, it is important to store them properly as well as handle them with care. It’s wise to put each piece into a separate container such as zip lock bags in order for any tarnishing or scratches to be prevented. To protect from heat treatment process effects, harsh chemicals exposure and physical knocks should be avoided too. Extreme temperatures must be avoided if you want your jeweler to be long-lasting like before.
Summary
The captivating hues of the rare Paraiba tourmaline, ranging from a deep blue to an enchanting neon green, make this gemstone truly unique. From its discovery in the late 1980s and its use as exquisite jewelry pieces since then up until now, there is no denying that it has become renowned for being incredibly beautiful yet mysterious at the same time. Gem-lovers alike will appreciate just how special this particular stone is due to both its attractive colorations and rarity. You could say it offers something quite fascinating all round!
Frequently Asked Questions
The high rarity, intense color saturation of various attractive hues with a predominance secondary green hue, for blue tones makes Paraiba tourmaline expensive regardless of size. These are all factors that must be taken into account when considering the price.
When it comes to authentic Paraiba tourmalines, the gemstone may not always be in perfect condition. Instead, they often have some small imperfections or inclusions. Be sure to examine for these features when examining a potential paraiba tourmaline, this can help you identify whether your piece is genuine or not.
Blue Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil are the most desirable, though their other color range of variations can be green, bluish-green, violet and even a hue of greenish blue. These gems in all hues still remain highly valued.
The rare and sought-after Paraiba tourmaline is known for its striking blue or mint green shades, made possible by copper and manganese present in the stone. With these two elements bringing out their vibrant neon hues, this particular type of gemstone continues to be a favorite choice among many jewelry aficionados.
In order to properly appraise a Paraiba tourmaline, experts take into account the 4 C’s of color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Not forgetting aspects like source or any improvements. All these elements are key in establishing its value.
The purest Paraiba blue color, for example, is so coveted that its price can rival that of good diamonds, reaching an impressive $20,000-$30,000 per carat range.
The cost of Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique falls within a wide range depending on factors like purity and color saturation. Ranging from $1500 to $9000 per carat, these gems offer a more affordable alternative to the Brazilian counterparts.
Paraiba tourmaline has a hardness of 7.5 which is similar to all tourmaline.