Paraiba Tourmaline is one of the rare and precious gemstone in the world. Paraiba Tourmaline was discovered in Brazil in the year 1980 in the state of Paraiba. Paraiba is one of the sought after gems in the world. Paraiba Tourmaline was discovered by Heitor Barbosa. Heiter Barbosa used to work in the mines where he found a very rare tourmaline. This gemstone was having unique vivid green blue color which was never seen before. Paraiba Tourmaline glows with a neon, even in the rough stone. Top specimen of this gemstone was sold in the year 1990 fetching $3000 per carat. Paraiba Tourmaline is always found in size smaller than the normal tourmaline gemstone. It has high proportion of copper which imparts beautiful blue, green and turquoise color. This is an internationally colored gemstone.
Natural Paraiba Tourmaline is famous for its vivid electric blue, neon blue, greenish blue and bluish-green colors. The exceptional appearance is primarily related to copper, often together with manganese, within the tourmaline.
For factual clarity, Heitor Barbosa began searching the Paraiba region during the 1980s, and the remarkable copper-bearing material became internationally known around 1989. Brazilian Paraiba Tourmaline is often found in relatively small sizes, although copper-bearing Paraiba material from African sources can occur in larger crystals.
Why Paraiba Tourmaline Is Special
The intense glowing appearance is the most distinctive feature of Paraiba Tourmaline. Fine-quality stones can show vivid saturation even at relatively small sizes.
The combination of rarity, distinctive color and strong international demand has made fine Paraiba Tourmaline one of the most desirable varieties in the colored gemstone market.
Paraiba Tourmaline Gemology
Color – Blue, Green and Turquoise
Hardness – 7 to 7.5 on the Moh’s scale
Cleavage – Indistinct
Luster – Vitreous
Crystal Structure – Hexagonal
Density – 2.82 to 3.2
Tourmaline generally has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5, making it suitable for many types of jewelry when handled carefully. It has vitreous lustre and commonly shows strong pleochroism, meaning different colors or color intensities may be visible when viewed from different directions.
Gemological references classify Tourmaline within the trigonal crystal system rather than the hexagonal crystal system. Paraiba material is most commonly copper-bearing elbaite, although specialized laboratory testing has also identified other copper-bearing tourmaline compositions.
Paraiba Tourmaline Source
Paraiba Tourmaline is mostly found in Brazil Natural and Certified Paraiba can be obtained from Brazil. But now it is readily available in other countries also.
The original material was discovered in Paraiba State in northeastern Brazil. Copper-bearing tourmaline was later discovered in neighboring Rio Grande do Norte as well.
Important African deposits have subsequently been identified in Nigeria and Mozambique. Today, gem laboratories may use the Paraiba variety name for suitable copper- and manganese-bearing tourmaline showing the characteristic vivid blue-to-green color range, regardless of geographic origin.
Brazilian, Nigerian and Mozambique material can sometimes appear very similar, so determining geographic origin may require advanced laboratory analysis.
Paraiba Tourmaline Color
Paraiba Tourmaline is best known for highly saturated colors including:
- Electric blue
- Neon blue
- Greenish blue
- Bluish green
- Turquoise blue
- Vivid green
Color is one of the most important factors affecting desirability and value. Stones with bright blue to green colors and strong saturation can command considerable collector interest.
Paraiba Tourmaline Metaphysical Properties
Paraiba Tourmaline is the birthstone for the people born in the month of October. It is the loveliest stone for Libras and Scorpios. This tourmaline varies in appearance like other tourmaline, but it show brilliancy due to the neon effect of copper. It has magical and mystical powers. This unique turquoise blue gemstone gives connection with the divine soul.
Tourmaline is traditionally recognized as an October birthstone. In crystal and metaphysical practices, Paraiba Tourmaline is associated with communication, emotional clarity, creativity and spiritual awareness.
Its vivid blue and green shades are also symbolically connected with calmness, expression and meditation.
These metaphysical associations are traditional beliefs rather than scientifically established effects.
Healing Properties of Paraiba Tourmaline
It has immense healing power. This international colored gemstone heals the respiratory system. Due to its beautiful soothing color, it is used for balancing the mental power. If you are suffering from any depression and worries then Paraiba Tourmaline can do wonder by using it as jewelry in an earrings.
Paraiba Tourmaline can bring unconscious mind to the conscious level. It creates a wave of desire and accomplishment. Wearing Paraiba tourmaline can also enhance the beauty of a person.
Traditional Paraiba Tourmaline benefits are associated with emotional calmness, positive thinking, communication and personal awareness.
Claims concerning respiratory disorders, depression or other health conditions are not scientifically established medical treatments. Gemstones should not replace professional medical or mental-health care.
Paraiba Tourmaline Value
Color – Paraiba Tourmaline is brightly bluish greenish color due to the presence of trace amount of copper in it.
Clarity – It is transparent to translucent. It exhibit beautiful striking light waves due to the presence of neon effect.
Cut and Shape – Paraiba Tourmaline is mainly cut in rectangular or bar shapes. Before buying Paraiba, clarity of the gemstone should be taken into consideration.
Treatment – Paraiba Tourmaline is not treated.
Paraiba Tourmaline value is strongly influenced by color. Vivid electric blue, neon blue and highly saturated blue-green stones are especially sought after.
Clarity, carat weight, cut quality, geographic origin, treatment status and laboratory documentation can also influence value.
Paraiba Tourmaline can be cut into oval, cushion, pear, emerald, rectangular and other shapes depending on the original rough and the cutter’s aim to preserve weight and display the strongest color.
Treatment and Certification
Although untreated Paraiba Tourmaline exists, the statement that all Paraiba Tourmaline is untreated does not apply to every stone available in the market.
Heat treatment is known in copper-bearing tourmaline and can be used to modify or improve color. For this reason, treatment disclosure and independent laboratory testing become particularly important for high-value stones.
A reputable gemstone report can help confirm that a stone is Tourmaline, determine whether it qualifies as Paraiba according to laboratory criteria and, in some cases, provide an opinion about geographic origin.
How to Choose Natural Paraiba Tourmaline
Before buying Paraiba Tourmaline, consider the overall balance of color, brightness, clarity, cut and carat weight.
Strong color is often more important than completely inclusion-free clarity. Fine Paraiba Tourmaline can contain natural inclusions while still possessing exceptional visual appeal.
For expensive stones, buyers should consider:
- Intensity and saturation of color
- Attractive neon appearance
- Transparency
- Cut quality
- Carat weight
- Treatment disclosure
- Geographic origin where relevant
- Independent gemological certification
A laboratory certificate is particularly useful because appearance alone cannot reliably establish whether a vivid blue-green Tourmaline qualifies as Paraiba.
Paraiba Tourmaline In Wholesale Price
We provide certified, natural Paraiba Tourmaline gemstone in a wholesale price. Our gemstones are tested and best quality gemstones are picked for the sale. You can also buy Paraiba Tourmaline online from our astrostore.
Paraiba Tourmaline price can differ significantly depending on the individual gemstone. Rare Brazilian stones with exceptional color may be valued differently from stones of other origins, while size and quality can also have a major effect on pricing.
Customers looking to buy Natural Paraiba Tourmaline should compare the gemstone’s color, weight, clarity, treatment information and certification instead of selecting only on the basis of price.
Paraiba Tourmaline Jewelry and Care
The intense blue and green colors of Paraiba Tourmaline make it suitable for rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces and other fine jewelry.
With a Mohs hardness of approximately 7 to 7.5, Tourmaline offers reasonable durability but should still be protected from hard impacts and sudden temperature changes.
Clean Paraiba Tourmaline gently using mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and aggressive cleaning methods when treatment status or inclusions are uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paraiba Tourmaline?
Paraiba Tourmaline is a highly sought-after copper-bearing Tourmaline known for vivid electric blue, neon blue, greenish-blue and bluish-green colors. The variety was first discovered in northeastern Brazil.
Why is Paraiba Tourmaline so valuable?
Its rarity, vivid copper-related coloration, strong saturation and international demand contribute to its value. Color, size, clarity, cut, origin and treatment status can all influence the price of an individual stone.
Is Paraiba Tourmaline found only in Brazil?
No. The original Paraiba Tourmaline was discovered in Brazil, but copper-bearing material with similar vivid colors is also found in Nigeria and Mozambique. Modern gemological terminology can apply the Paraiba variety name to qualifying material regardless of geographic origin.
Is Paraiba Tourmaline always untreated?
No. Natural untreated stones exist, but heat treatment is also known in copper-bearing Paraiba Tourmaline. Buyers of valuable stones should check treatment disclosure and consider an independent laboratory report.
What colors are most desirable in Paraiba Tourmaline?
Vivid electric blue, neon blue, greenish blue and strongly saturated blue-green colors are particularly desirable. Overall brightness and saturation can be more important than complete freedom from inclusions.
