Paraiba Tourmaline, a jewel among jewels
Dear Partners and gemstones enthusiasts,
Today, we’d like to introduce you to a highly sought-after variety of Tourmaline: the Paraíbas. This gemstone is coveted for its breathtaking colors ranging from vibrant greens to mesmerizing blues. It easily reminds us of the luxuriant tropical beaches and the warmth of the Brazilian vibe.
Take a dive with us in this hypnotic treasure and its incredible story ! As one of the rarest gemstones on the planet, it offers a unique opportunity to create exclusive and exquisite pieces that will captivate the admiration of jewelry connoisseurs. It all began somewhere in Brazil in the 1500s, a Spanish conquistador washed the dirt from a green tourmaline crystal and confused this vibrant gem with an emerald. His confusion persisted until scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species in the 1800s. The confusion about the stone's identity is even reflected in its name, which comes from 'toramalli,' meaning 'mixed gems' in Sinhalese (a language of Sri Lanka). The first deposit was discovered in 1987 in the Brazilian state of Paraíba by a miner named Heitor Barbosa. The mining operations began in 1981 with Heitor Barbosa and a team of 13 miners, yielding results six years later. It was introduced to the market in 1990 during the gemological convention in Tucson, Arizona.
In 2001, similar Tourmalines with the same characteristics were discovered in Nigeria (Edok region) and in 2005, others were found in Mozambique. They were also named Paraíbas which became the trade name for this extraordinary gem. The extraction of this gem is small-scale and artisanal at all extraction sites. Its production is very limited and even more in fine quality. Rarity and very high global demand are the main reasons for an exponential increase in value since the commercialization of this gem.
Paraíba Tourmalines are routinely heated. It is estimated that 80% of Paraíba Tourmaline production does not exhibit the neon blue/green color characteristic of 'Paraíba' before undergoing heat treatment at around 500°C.
For a Paraíbas to be truly appreciated, the intensity and brightness of the color is more important than clarity. Visible imperfections in the gemstone, discernible to the naked eye, are generally accepted and result in only minor variations in value. Conversely, the precision of the cut plays a crucial role. To maximize the gem's worth, it is imperative that it exhibits a high level of brilliance. Any occurrence of windowing or subpar scintillation significantly diminishes its value. When evaluating Paraíbas, emphasis is placed on the importance of color and brilliance. Please don't hesitate
to reach out at your convenience; we are more than happy to assist you in selecting this exquisite gemstone.
