Everything You Need To Know About the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

What is the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone?
Origins and Sources of the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone
Paraiba Tourmaline Meaning and Symbolism

Balancing Chakras
Energy Absorbing Properties
Boosts Inspiration

Are Paraiba Tourmalines Expensive?
Paraiba Tourmaline in Jewelry
Is a Paraiba Engagement Ring Right for me?
The 4 C’s of Quality in Tourmaline

Color
Clarity
Cut
Carat Weight

Summing Up

Certain gemstones come with an alluring charm of their own - and the Paraiba tourmaline is definitely one of them. This precious stone is known for its rarity and striking color, both of which make it instantly stand out from the clan of commonly known gemstones out there. Coming from the popular Tourmaline family of precious stones, the Paraiba Tourmaline has a stunning neon blue color - one look at the stone, and you'll be left mesmerized at its radiating natural beauty.

Want to find out more about this gemstone? This article covers everything you need to know about the Paraiba Tourmaline - so read ahead for more details about this fascinating gemstone.

What is the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone?

Before we delve into what the Paraiba tourmaline gemstone is, let's understand the family to which it belongs. The Paraiba tourmaline belongs to the Tourmaline family, a crystalline silicate mineral group of precious stones. The word 'tourmaline' is derived from the Sinhalese word 'tormalli', which means carnelian gemstones.

Boron is the basic element in every tourmaline stone, which then compounds itself naturally with other elements such as iron, copper, magnesium, sodium, aluminum, lithium, and even potassium. Therefore, the color of every tourmaline stone varies depending on which mineral it compounds with. This also explains why tourmaline gemstones are available in a wide range of bright, vibrant colors.

Coming to the Paraiba Tourmaline stone - this precious stone is the result of a combination between boron and copper. The high concentration of copper is responsible for the highly coveted radiant blue and green hues in the Paraiba stone. Depending on the copper content in the precious stone, the resultant color of the gemstone may also be blue-green. Needless to say, the vivid, unique blue of the Paraiba tourmaline instantly sets it apart from the rest of the members in not only the tourmaline family but among a host of other gemstones as well.

Paraiba tourmalines are also known to have red color components in them due to the presence of elements such as manganese. Experienced cutters use the burning technique to eliminate the red components to ensure the pure blue color of the gemstone shines. The vivacity of this precious stone is such that you wouldn't require an expert to find out its authenticity - if you see a bright, striking blue stone – it is more than likely that it's none other than the beautiful Paraiba!

This precious stone is a type of elbaite tourmaline originally found in the Paraiba State in northeast Brazil. The composition of the Paraiba tourmaline is unique - it features manganese and copper and forms under unusual natural conditions. The stunning shades of blue in which the precious stone is found is a result from this unusual blend of natural elements and conditions. Let's find out more about the origins of the Paraiba tourmaline and where it is currently sourced from.

Origins and Sources of the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

The beautiful Paraiba Tourmaline was discovered back in the 1980s in Brazil. The credit for discovering this stunning gemstone goes to Heitor Dimas Barbosa and his team. The team, led by Mr. Barbosa, dug the Paraiba hills extensively for years together, armed with an unshakeable belief that they would find something unique and precious beneath the hills. And voila, after five and a half years of relentless digging, they did find something which would create a buzz across the world - the stunning Paraiba tourmaline!

As it was mined from the Pairaba Hills of Brazil, this stark blue precious stone was named after the very place it was first discovered in. Its brilliance, unmatchable beauty, and rarity made the Paraiba Tourmaline immensely popular worldwide. It became an absolute hit among the Japanese, where the demand for such unique precious stones was (and still is) always high.

The discovery of the Paraiba tourmalines led to frantic mining activity on Paraiba Hill, which was only 400 meters long, 200 meters wide, and 65 meters high. Initially, there were a lot of tourmaline deposits found by miners. But five years after the Paraiba tourmaline stones were found, miners continued to comb the entire area of the hills, only to find nothing.

So did that mean the end of the Paraiba tourmaline story? Not at all! At the beginning of 2001, a surprising discovery of a bright blue stone was reported - this time, in Nigeria! These stones, too, took the market by storm, only for gemstone enthusiasts to realize that these vibrant blue stones are nothing but the Paraiba tourmalines. The stones discovered in Nigeria, too, had to be subjected to the intense burning process for their true, bright blue self to be revealed - just like their Brazilian counterparts.

The stones were taken to laboratories to check out their chemical composition and structure, only for researchers to confirm the claims of gemstone enthusiasts. Both the stones discovered from different locations were indeed the same!

Apart from the Paraiba Mountains in Brazil and Nigeria, the bright blue tourmalines are also found in certain other parts of the world, such as Mozambique. Lately, newer lots of the precious stone have also been discovered in other areas of Brazil and eastern Africa. This is a positive sign, especially for gemstone dealers struggling to meet the immense demand for this precious stone due to its extreme rarity. The composition of the newly discovered stones in areas other than the Paraiba Mountains is the same as the Paraiba variant. Although paraiba tourmalines are now found in a number of different locations, the Brazilian stones are still the rarest and most vibrant stones that are available in the market today and carry the greatest value.

Paraiba Tourmaline Meaning and Symbolism

Paraiba tourmaline is the birthstone for those born in October. The precious stone represents insight, creativity, wisdom, and voice. Tourmalines are known to inspire and promote happiness, reduce fear as well as build confidence among those who flaunt it. The properties and energies of tourmalines vary according to the color it comes in. The blue stone is also known to have metaphysical properties such as the feeling of power and justice and clarity of mind. Typically, gemstones in the color blue represent stability, stillness, and calmness.

Balancing Chakras

Paraiba Tourmalines are excellent tools for balancing and energizing chakras. Crystal wands studded with tourmaline are used for cleansing auras and balancing the body's meridian system. These precious crystals have been used for decades by healers from India, Africa, Native Americans as well as Australian indigenous tribes.

Energy Absorbing Properties

Paraiba tourmalines also have energy absorbing properties, which instantly absorb negative energy. The powerful stone blows off even the slightest negative vibes, helping restore the positive energy in your mind and body.

Likewise, the stone is also known for its strong energy, because of which it is also called the electric stone. It offers energy and vitality to the owner and can inspire the wearer's mind to achieve more in life. Thanks to the creative flow of energies the stone offers, it is a popular pick among those in the creative sector, such as artists or designers. People in research or managerial positions too can choose to wear this stone.

Boosts Inspiration

Paraiba tourmalines help stimulate and maintain the body's energy centers, thus attracting the much-required inspiration to achieve our goals. In addition, the stone works wonders to reduce fear and motivates the wearer to stay focused and determined. It also increases understanding and boosts the self-confidence of the person wearing it and believing in its powers.

Are Paraiba Tourmalines Expensive?

Yes - owing to the rarity of these precious stones, they are super expensive. Of course, you may get any other type of tourmaline at a lesser price, but the Paraiba tourmaline price is an indication of its extreme rarity. Apart from the usual blue, you'll also find the Paraiba tourmaline in different shades such as green, bluish green, greenish blue, and violet.

Each of these are priceless, but the most sought after by gemstone enthusiasts are the blue ones from Brazil. This is because they have a higher color saturation, feature attractive hues, and, most importantly, are super rare. The price of the Paraiba tourmaline is not influenced by its size. Rather it depends on the origin, brightness, vividity, and inclination of the stone towards the blue shade.

The rarity of the stone is another factor that influences its price. High-quality tourmalines free from inclusions are super rare and come at a very high price. The Paraiba tourmalines with inclusions cost relatively less, as the inclusions are visible in the form of thread-like tubes running through the gemstone. The rarity of Paraiba tourmaline is also attributed to the difficulty in mining it. The usage of dynamite can damage these delicate crystals, which is why most Paraiba deposits are sought after manually with the help of hand-held tools.

Paraiba Tourmaline in Jewelry

Hands down, the Paraiba tourmaline is a rare and unique precious stone. The bright blue color of this stone makes it the perfect match for both gold and platinum jewelry. Depending on your budget, you can choose the size of the Paraiba tourmaline and blend it into jewelry of different types. The stone complements all types of jewelry - right from rings, earrings, and bracelets to pendants and necklaces; the Paraiba tourmaline is the perfect fit for it all.

Jewelers get creative with Paraiba tourmalines, as they come in different shades of greens and blues. You'll often find a pair of earrings featuring one vivid blue Paraiba tourmaline paired with two greenish-blue Paraiba tourmalines. The combination of different Paraiba tourmalines looks splendid and soothing, thanks to the complimenting cool colors of the stones.

Paraiba tourmalines are also paired with tourmalines of other colors, such as violet or the ones with a reddish tinge. Likewise, the Paraiba tourmalines also looks wonderful when paired with other precious stones that complement the cool shades they come in.

So if you're looking to give someone special (or even yourself) a Paraiba encrusted jewelry, do know you have a lot of options out there. The Paraiba tourmaline jewelry is also a great gift for the October-born, as the tourmaline is the birthstone for October. From simple, elegant jewelry that features one Paraiba tourmaline to the pieces studded with multiple Paraiba tourmalines, you have many options to choose from. You can pick the best piece that fits your style and budget - after all, there's something for everyone!

Is a Paraiba Engagement Ring Right for me?

Absolutely! Paraiba tourmaline rings are especially popular, thanks to their rarity and uniqueness. The spectacular color and inherent glow of the gemstone add to its distinctiveness. No two Paraiba tourmalines will be alike, thanks to the difference in chemical composition and structure in every stone. However, the grandeur of this stone makes it every jeweler's privilege to work with it and create a unique piece of jewelry.

When it comes to engagement rings, Paraiba tourmalines are an amazing choice as they blend well with different metals. You'll find limited edition collections of rings studded with stones. The precious stone blends well with rose, yellow, white gold, and even platinum. All you have to do is choose the stone that appeals to you the most and then select the metal in which you want it crafted. There are endless designs available in Paraiba tourmaline engagement rings, which you can also choose from or custom make your very own. Consider the likes and preferences of the person you're giving the ring to, and then finalize the design.

The 4 C’s of Quality in Tourmaline

The price of the tourmaline is an important factor you need to consider - but there's another aspect you need to pay close heed to - the quality of the Paraiba tourmaline. After all, you don't want to end up shelling out a huge amount for a defective or fake Paraiba tourmaline! So let's run you through the factors that you need to look for in a Paraiba tourmaline before you invest in one - the 4 C's - Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight:

Color

An authentic Paraiba tourmaline will instantly strike your eye - it has a bright, electric blue color that is like no other precious stone. The brightest blue Paraiba tourmaline that's free of any inclusions is the best quality Paraiba tourmaline and is the most expensive in the tourmaline clan.

However, if you're looking for a relatively cheaper Paraiba tourmaline, you can opt for the ones that come in shades that aren't blue but near to blue. The greenish blue, bluish green, or green Paraiba tourmalines too are rare, but they don't cost as much as the pure blue tourmalines.

Color, and not the size of the tourmaline, is the price determining factor of the precious stone. So if you place a huge tourmaline of another color and a one-carat bright blue Paraiba tourmaline as options, the latter would probably cost more. This is simply because better-colored tourmalines fetch a much better, higher price.

Beware of paraiba tourmaline substitutes that are currently available on the market. Apatite is considered the closest substitute to Paraiba but these stones are softer stones that are much more abundantly available, and therefore are much cheaper in price. Although vendors may sell the stone as “Paraiba-like” or “Paraiba-type”, these stones are not durable for jewelry and can easily chip or crack. There are also synthetic paraiba stones that are man made in the lab. Again, these stones are factory produced and there is no uniqueness or value in comparison to the natural ones.

Clarity

Paraiba tourmalines are created under unusual natural conditions, and the environment they grow in is rich in liquids. During the process of formation of tourmalines, some of these liquid elements are trapped in the precious stone in the form of 'inclusions'. These inclusions impact the clarity of the Paraiba tourmalines and may affect the value. They are visible as thread or tube-like cavities running through the stone. The insides of a Paraiba tourmaline are filled with either liquid or gas bubbles, which can be clearly viewed under magnification.

The inclusions in Paraiba tourmalines are more visible in the stones with low saturation and a lighter tone. As the brightness of these stones is lesser, the inclusions don't remain hidden but are rather visible to the naked eye itself. Stones with high brightness, too, are of lesser value if the inclusions are visible easily. Any knowledgeable customer will look for the inclusion-free tourmaline, as they are of the highest quality. And yes, an inclusions-free tourmaline costs way more than the tourmalines in which inclusions are clearly visible.

Cut

Natural Paraiba tourmalines need to be cut to ensure they are market-worthy. Experienced cutters cut these tourmalines via heated cutting, which ensures all the unwanted parts of the tourmaline are eliminated without damaging the delicate Paraiba tourmaline. In addition, cutters often cut paraiba tourmalines as ovals, as the cut parallel to the length of the gemstone reduces wastage.

Tourmalines are pleochroic - they reflect different colors from different directions. They absorb more light down the length of the crystal as compared to the width. This is also why the Paraiba tourmaline may appear pale across the length but has a bright, vivid color when viewed across its width. Due to the pleochroic nature of the gemstone, cutters prefer cutting it based on the depth of its color. With the right cut, the gemstone can be made to appear darker or lighter, as required.

Carat Weight

Fashioned tourmalines come in larger sizes, but of course, the size depends on factors such as the color and quality of the stone as well. It's not common to find large-size tourmalines, and if miners do discover them, they are priced extremely high.

For a tourmaline to grow into a larger size, it requires constant pressure and heat for millions of years. If the inquisitive conditions and the space for the stone to grow larger are not available, the gemstone will not grow into a larger size. Paraiba tourmalines are rarely found in sizes over 2 carats, whereas the other colored tourmalines can be easily found in higher sizes spanning from 5 carats and more.

Summing Up

We've told you all you need to know about the stunning Paraiba tourmaline. These stones are an absolute powerhouse of positivity and energy for the wearer. And, of course, they're rare, which only adds to their distinctiveness and specialty. A perfect gift for anyone close to their heart, you can pick from a variety of Paraiba tourmalines according to your budget and preferences! So if you're considering investing in one, do ensure you've checked for all the factors you need to look for in a top-quality Paraiba tourmaline. Here are our top 10 jewelry pieces exclusively crafted using some of the best natural paraiba tourmalines in the world.

Check out our best-selling pieces here.

1. Adorned - 18K White Gold Natural Paraiba Tourmaline Ring

Simplicity is key, and our Adorned ring proves that. With a small cluster of glistening Paraiba stones in the center of the ring, the 18K white gold band is the center of attention here. With feminine details and eye-catching curves, Adorned is an excellent addition to your collection.

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Everything You Need To Know About the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

Table of Contents

What is the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone?

Origins and Sources of the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone