Paraiba Tourmaline: what makes it special and expensive?

Gemma from The Sapphire Merchant working from our Bangkok office. On this day, we purchased several extraordinary Paraiba Tourmalines for our collection.

Table of Contents

• What is Paraiba Tourmaline?
• What Colour is Paraiba Tourmaline?
• Is Paraiba Tourmaline Only Found In Brazil?
• Why Documentation is Important When Buying Paraiba Tourmaline
• Design a Paraiba Tourmaline Ring
  
• Buy a Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba Tourmaline intrigues us and is one of our favourite gemstones, next to sapphire, emerald, and ruby. The dark horse of the tourmaline family, its rise from obscurity to prominence in the gem world has been swift. A jewel that has captivated all who come to know about it since its unearthing in the 1980s. Paraiba Tourmaline is Earth's treasure, cherished by gem collectors, jewellers, and jewellery enthusiasts; its rarity and beauty make it the pin-up for high-end gemstone luxury.

1. What is Paraiba Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is a family of borosilicate minerals with the chemical name of complex boron silicate. Tourmaline grows in a trigonal crystal system and rates 7.0 - 7.50 on the Mohs hardness scale. Its lustre is vitreous, its specific gravity (SG) is 2.8 - 3.3, and its refractive index (RI) is 1.635- 1.675.

What distinguishes Paraiba Tourmaline from other varieties is that it is copper-bearing elbaite. The trace element of copper elevates Paraiba Tourmaline to one of the most prestigious coloured gemstones on the planet. 

The Recent Discovery of Paraiba Tourmaline

There is a fascinating story behind the remarkably rare and exquisitely beautiful Paraiba Tourmaline. In 1980, gemstone prospector and miner Heitor Dimas Barbosa had an unshakable conviction that something extraordinary was hidden in the mountains of Paraiba, a state in the Northeast of Brazil, after a speculated find in 1982. He began to dig with a small crew of men, armed with determination and an unshakable gut feeling that there was a deposit of extraordinary gemstone to be discovered. 5 years after Barbosa's painstakingly slow excavation, he and his men stumbled across the first deposits of a truly magnificent gemstone. One can only imagine Barbosa's thoughts and feelings as he held the discovery of Paraiba Tourmaline in his hand. The year was 1989. 

"I always thought my intuition guided me to find the gemstones, but today it has been proven to me that gemstones actually called upon my intuition" ~ Heitor Dimas Barbosa (The man who discovered Paraiba Tourmaline)

Heitor Dimas Barbosa holding his newly discovered Paraiba Tourmaline. This electric blue collour from Brazil is the pinnacle of Paraiba Tourmaline, selling for thoudans of dollars per carat.

2. What Colour is Paraiba Tourmaline?

Paraiba Tourmaline ranges from vivid electric blues through to turquoise neon greens. The blue and green hues are so exceptional that they fall out of the gamut, and the actual colour of these natural jewels cannot be reproduced in print. A Paraiba Tourmaline has its own Joie de vivre and is famed for its sensational visual appearance, fiery and lustrous, displaying an eye-catching play on light. It is the copper interacting with the element of manganese that gives Paraiba Tourmaline its incandescent and saturated colours, distinguishing it from the rest of the Tourmaline family.

Is Paraiba Tourmaline Heated?

Heating a natural gemstone means exposing it to high temperatures to make the gemstone’s colour look brighter or remove unwanted cloudy spots. Heating is a common treatment and doesn’t change the gemstone’s natural structure. It simply enhances how it looks.

Prestigious gem labs such as GIA do not test for heat in Paraiba Tourmaline. They will only test for copper traces to establish whether the Tourmaline can be deemed Paraiba or not. This is because it is widely accepted in the gem world that Paraiba Tourmaline undergoes heat treatment to clarify the gem and improve its colour. When gems and minerals form in the earth over millions of years, they are subject to high temperatures. So, in general, heat applied to precious gemstones is considered normal.

Neon Greenish Blue Paraiba Tourmaline. This gemstone is extrodinarily valuable, even given its heavy inclusions. 

3. Is Paraiba Tourmaline Only Found in Brazil?

From its original discovery in 1989, Brazil was the only known source of Paraiba Tourmaline. There are currently three active mines in Brazil: Mina da Batalha, Mulungu Mine, and Alto dos Quintos Mine. These mines usually find up to 1 carat rough of Paraiba Tourmaline. Anything more significant is unusual and incredibly valuable. Brazil-origin Paraiba Tourmaline is worth a premium price; expect to pay triple the cost of a comparative Mozambique-origin Paraiba. This is because the colour of Brazilian Paraiba is more saturated and intense.

African Origin Paraiba Tourmaline

In 2000, blue and green copper and manganese-bearing Tourmaline were found in Nigeria, then in 2005 in Mozambique. There was animated debate on whether the African continent sources of this Tourmaline should be allowed to bear the Paraiba name. However, it is generally accepted that Tourmaline from these sources can also be called Paraiba as the mineral makeup is almost identical, showing only minute differences with copper content. Mozambique currently has a reliable and steady supply of Paraiba Tourmaline coming onto the market; it is the largest source of this rare jewel. 

Should I choose a Brazilian or an African Origin Paraiba Tourmaline?

When investing in a Paraiba Tourmaline, is it best to choose a Brazilian-origin gem or an African-origin gem? Both origins produce equally beautiful Paraiba Tourmaline. The price point is going to be your most significant consideration. Brazil-origin Paraiba will cost more than three times the amount of an equivalent African-origin gemstone. There is also the perceived prestige of the Brazilian-origin Paraiba because it came first and remains in lesser supply than its African-origin counterpart. Overall, both options make an astute investment. To put into perspective just how rare Paraiba Tourmaline is, one is mined for every ten thousand diamonds worldwide. 

4. Why Documentation is Important When Buying Paraiba Tourmaline

When buying Paraiba Tourmaline, documentation must be included with the gemstone. Tourmaline can come in blue and green shades, but if the copper and manganese elements are not present in the gemstone, it cannot be classed as Paraiba Tourmaline. 

Additionally, Paraiba Tourmaline of Brazilian origin is more valuable than Paraiba Tourmaline of African origin, so it is essential to establish its origin. 

When venturing into the world of Paraiba Tourmaline, it is crucial to arm yourself with knowledge and caution. Ensure that the gemstone you purchase comes with a comprehensive laboratory report from a reputable gem lab, stating that it is indeed 'Paraiba Tourmaline'. This documentation protects against potential misrepresentation and ensures that you are investing in the real deal.

Not all gem labs have the equipment to test and verify Paraiba Tourmaline, so be vigilant with the accompanying documentation you choose to accept. We use GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to assess our Paraiba tourmaline. This is because GIA has a high profile worldwide, is a trusted institute with very high standards of grading gems, and has the equipment to test copper content. With a GIA report you can be confident in your Paraiba tourmaline investment.

An example of a GIA Gemological Report for Paraiba Tourmaline confirming copper content and stating the Geographic origin.

5. Design a Custom Paraiba Tourmaline Ring

The Sapphire Merchant has designed some notable custom Paraiba Tourmaline jewellery pieces for our clientele, including Paraiba Tourmaline engagement rings. Paraiba Tourmaline is an acceptable engagement ring gemstone, but as it is softer, some care should be taken when wearing it day in and day out. Choosing a ring setting style that helps to protect the Paraiba Tourmaline is the best way to care for the gem in the long term. Here are two examples of our custom jewellery work with Paraiba Tourmaline.

A Paraiba Tourmaline Engagement Ring

The first is a 6.68ct Paraiba Tourmaline engagement ring. Our client was pursuing a truly extraordinary ring for his beloved. The Sapphire Merchant sourced this sensational oval-cut Paraiba Tourmaline from Mozambique. We sent it to GIA Bangkok for comprehensive laboratory testing to ensure its copper content and authenticity. Upon the assurance of the GIA report, we began work on the CAD, designing an engagement ring that would protect the Paraiba Tourmaline and accentuate its colour and beauty. Drawing inspiration from nature's curves, we created a basket of diamond-encrusted leaves seamlessly flowing the gold and diamond work into a meandering crossover band. We incorporated one-hundred-and-seventy-four D-colour round brilliant diamonds in VVS clarity and set them into 18k yellow gold. The warm tone of the rich gold perfectly matched the warm tone of the green Paraiba Tourmaline, enriching the colour and accentuating its natural beauty. An extraordinary marvel of artistry combined with nature's treasure: Paraiba Tourmaline, diamonds and gold. Bring forth an engagement ring that symbolises our client's unique love story. 

The Sapphire Merchant custom Aquamarine Ring and Pendant Set

Paraiba Tourmaline Lotus Ring

The second is a 3.65ct Paraiba Tourmaline ring we designed for our exclusive in-house collection. We secured this Paraiba Tourmaline on a 2024 gem-buying trip in Thailand. When it came across our desk, its crystal clarity and serene blue hue captivated us; a true jewel, extremely rare, and highly luxurious. We knew we would never see another Paraiba tourmaline like this again. To check the copper content in this Paraiba, we submitted it to GIA, where a laboratory report confirming that it was a copper-bearing elbate was received. When we returned to New Zealand, our design work began. We were inspired by the delicate lotus flower, and crafted 6 diamond encrusted petals enveloping the sky-blue Paraiba. This attention to detail is also reflected in the band, which features a contour of glittering diamond work. In total this Paraiba tourmaline ring features 174 round brilliant diamonds in D colour with VVS1 clarity. Set in 18k white gold, this Paraiba tourmaline is a true work of art.

T.S.M Exclusive Design - Paraiba Tourmaline Lotus Ring

5. Buy a Paraiba Tourmaline

Browse our extraordinary collection of paraiba tourmaline, each one an ultra-rare and unique treasure. If you have a particular requirement, we have access to the most exquisite and hard-to-find Paraiba tourmaline through our incredible network of the world’s best gem dealers.

We offer in-person viewings for New Zealand residents and virtual viewings for our international clients, ensuring you have access to the most exclusive gemstones.

Our design process is a true collaboration, entwining your vision with our creativity. Upon choosing your precious gemstone, we gather information to conceptualise your vision. Using computer-aided design (CAD) technology, we transform your jewellery idea into a detailed 3D model. You have the flexibility to customise every aspect of your design idea, and we will guide you through this creative process, ensuring your unique vision is brought to life.

Once the design is perfected, our skilled team of jewellery artisans brings your piece to life with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the highest-quality finish. With The Sapphire Merchant, you get a breathtaking piece of jewellery and a memorable experience tailored to your requirements. We will create for you a cherished heirloom that will be treasured for generations to come.

Paraiba Tourmaline engagement ring featuring 18k yellow gold and D-Colour VVS1 diamonds, designed and made by The Sapphire Merchant.