Guide to Paraiba Tourmaline | Rarest Gemstones on Earth

The Enchanting Beauty of Paraiba Tourmaline: A Gemstone Like No Other

A GUIDE TO PARAIBA TOURMALINE

When it comes to rare and breathtaking gemstones, few can rival the allure of the Paraiba tourmaline. Discovered only a few decades ago, this striking gemstone has quickly risen to fame due to its unique and vivid neon blue to green hues, have captivated gem enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

What is Paraiba tourmaline?

The story of Paraiba tourmaline begins in the late 1980s when a Brazilian miner named Heitor Dimas Barbosa had the feeling that something extraordinary laid beneath the hills of the Paraiba state in Brazil. After years of laborious digging, his persistence paid off with the discovery of a gemstone that would change the world of jewellery forever. Unlike any other tourmalines, the Paraiba tourmaline exhibited a vivid, electric and neon blue hue that had never been seen before in gemstones, often resembling the colours of a tropical sea.

What Makes Paraiba Tourmaline Special?

Paraiba tourmalines are unique in the world of gemstones for several reasons:

Colour: The most defining feature of Paraiba tourmaline is its mesmerizing neon blue to green hues. The intense colour is unlike any other gemstone, with its almost otherworldly glow. Even in low light, these gems seem to radiate an internal light, making them instantly recognisable.
Rarity: While tourmalines are found in many parts of the world, Paraiba tourmalines are incredibly rare and found in select locations such Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria. Its rarity makes this gemstones incredibly valuable.
Copper and Manganese: Paraiba tourmalines are chemically unique due to their copper and manganese content, which is responsible for their signature neon colours. No other tourmaline contains this combination of elements, making Paraiba distinct in the world of minerals.
Exceptional Brilliance: Paraiba tourmalines are known for their incredible brilliance and lustre. When cut correctly, they can display a dazzling sparkle that enhances their already impressive colour.

Paraiba Tourmaline in Jewellery

Due to its rarity and stunning appearance, Paraiba tourmaline is one of the most expensive gemstones in the world. Its colour pairs beautifully with both white and yellow gold, and it is often set in fine jewellery such as engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings. Many high-end jewellery designers favour Paraiba tourmalines in their collections, crafting pieces that highlight the gemstone's intense colour. Whether as the centerpiece of a ring or as part of a multi-stone design, Paraiba tourmalines are guaranteed to turn heads and spark conversations.

Paraiba Tourmaline and diamond platinum Ring

Aftercare for Your Paraiba Tourmaline

Like any valuable gemstone, proper care is essential to maintain the beauty and longevity of a Paraiba tourmaline.

To clean your Paraiba tourmaline jewellery we advise to send the item to be cleaned by one of our specialists at Marcello Riccio.

In case this is not possible, we offer our jewellery cleaning kit in order to carry out the cleaning yourself by lightly brushing with a soft brush and the spray included within our cleaning kit.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the stone or its setting. Storing the gem separately from other jewelry pieces can help prevent scratches.

We advise to bring your jewellery to Marcello Riccio once a year for a thorough check, cleaning, and revitalization.

WHERE PARAIBA TOURMALINE COMES FROM?

Mining Paraiba tourmaline is an intricate and challenging process, as these gemstones are found in limited and often hard to reach areas. Since the gemstone’s discovery in Brazil, mining operations have expanded to other parts of the world, including Mozambique and Nigeria, but Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines remain the most rare.

Mining in Brazil: The original Paraiba tourmalines were discovered in the hills of the Paraiba state in north-eastern Brazil in the late 1980s. The mining process in Brazil was arduous from the beginning due to the terrain. The tourmalines were found in pegmatite veins formations deep in the ground. Early mining was labour intensive and slow, involving hand tools like chisels, hammers, and shovels to extract the gemstone-bearing rock. The miners would follow the veins through hard rock, digging tunnels and shafts, hoping to uncover the precious copper-bearing gemstone. Given the unpredictable nature of pegmatite veins, the miners often had to excavate large amounts of rock just to find small amounts of tourmaline. Today, mining in Brazil has slowed significantly as the initial deposits have been nearly exhausted. Some operations still exist, but they are limited, making Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines increasingly rare.

Mining in Africa: A new source of Paraiba tourmalines were discovered in Africa in the early 2000s. These deposits, particularly in Mozambique and Nigeria, brought a fresh supply of the gemstone to the market. Mining in Mozambique and Nigeria follows similar methods as in Brazil.

Ethical Mining and the Future of Paraiba Tourmaline

As with many gemstones, there is growing awareness of the importance of ethical mining practices. This involves ensuring that the mining of Paraiba tourmaline is done in a way that minimizes environmental damage, respects local communities, and ensures fair labor practices for the miners.

All our Paraiba tourmalines both Brazilian and African origin, are sourced directly from operations that have adopted fair trade principles, ensuring that miners are paid fairly and that local communities benefit from the economic activity generated by mining. In addition, there are efforts to rehabilitate mined land and reduce the environmental footprint of mining operations.