Paraíba Tourmaline
Brazil's legendary copper-bearing tourmaline - discovery, neon colours, and its position as the most valuable tourmaline.
brazil paraiba tourmaline copper-bearing
Introduction
Paraíba tourmaline represents one of the most remarkable gem discoveries
of the 20th century. The neon blue-green colours, caused by trace copper,
were unlike anything previously seen in tourmaline and created an entirely
new category in the gem market.
Discovery
The finding that changed tourmaline forever:
Initial Discovery
- Year: 1989 (significant production began)
- Location: São José da Batalha, Paraíba State
- Discoverer: Heitor Dimas Barbosa
- Persistence: Years of searching before major find
Significance
- Previously unknown neon colours
- First copper-coloured tourmaline
- Immediate sensation in gem trade
- Prices rapidly exceeded expectations
Characteristics
What makes Paraíba tourmaline unique:
Colour
- Character: Neon blue to blue-green ("swimming pool blue")
- Glow: Appears to be lit from within
- Range: Blue, greenish-blue, green, violet
- Chromophore: Copper (unique among tourmalines)
Other Properties
- Saturation: Exceptional; glowing appearance
- Sizes: Original Brazilian material typically small
- Clarity: Often included
- Crystal system: Trigonal (like all tourmaline)
Brazilian vs African
Brazilian Paraíba
- Original source (1989)
- Generally smaller sizes
- More included typically
- Higher copper content often
- Significant origin premium
- Production nearly exhausted
African Paraíba-type
- Nigeria (2001), Mozambique (2005)
- Larger sizes available
- Often cleaner material
- Same copper chromophore
- Lower prices; growing acceptance
- Ongoing production
Market Position
Paraíba's place in the gem world:
Value
- Most valuable tourmaline variety
- Fine stones: $10,000-50,000+ per carat
- Exceptional pieces: Six figures per carat
- Brazilian origin commands 2-5x premium over African
Supply Status
- Original Brazilian source nearly exhausted
- Rio Grande do Norte also produces (limited)
- Most "new" material is African
- Brazilian stones increasingly rare
Treatment Considerations
Enhancement in Paraíba tourmaline:
- Heat treatment: Sometimes used to improve colour
- Purpose: Reduces pink/violet component
- Detection: Can often be identified by laboratories
- Disclosure: Required; affects value
- Unheated premium: Clean unheated stones most valuable
Collecting Paraíba
Considerations for collectors:
- Laboratory reports: Essential; verify copper presence
- Origin determination: Brazilian origin documented
- Treatment status: Check for heating
- Colour quality: Neon "electric" effect most valued
- Investment potential: Strong for fine Brazilian stones
- Matching: Sets extremely difficult and valuable