History and Features of Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

The Paraiba tourmaline is one of the most rare gemstones ever discovered. Its combination of rarity and unique beauty make this gemstone a highly desired piece for any gem connoisseur’s collection. This article examines the history behind these stones, as well as some of their distinguishing features.

History of the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

The Paraiba tourmaline was discovered in 1987 by Hector Dimas Barbosa, a modern-day intrepid explorer. Barbosa was convinced that something valuable was hidden beneath Brazil’s Paraiba Hill, near a small village called Sao José da Batalha. Following his gut instinct, the team had began excavations in 1981 and took five and a half years to find the galleries, tunnels, and shafts that distinguish areas laden with gemstones. It took several more years before they were finally able to find tourmalines in shades and hues that had never previously been seen in the world. Ironically, Barbosa was recovering from an illness and not present when the first handful of these gems were brought into the daylight. Even so, he became known as the discoverer of the Paraiba tourmaline, a discovery that would send countless miners, jewelry collectors, and other enthusiasts into the mines in search of these brilliant and unique gemstones. In a short time, the Paraiba mine was depleted of tourmalines. However, over a decade later in 2001, the stone reemerged, this time in Nigeria. Again, the area was quickly mined out, owing to the small amounts of the tourmalines in the veins. With no more known sources, to this day the Paraiba gemstone remains rare and unique.

The Brazil-Africa Controversy

Stones resembling the Paraiba gemstone were subsequently found at the Edouku Mine in Nigeria. The amount of the gemstones there was also minimal and the colors were less bright. However, the resemblance of these tourmalines were close enough that they were also labeled as Paraiba tourmalines by the AGTA Gem Testing Center and the other gemological labs, despite the fact that they did not come from than Paraiba. According to these gemological labs, any tourmaline stone with the same colors as those from Paraiba will be known as such, regardless of where they are excavated from.

This move by the AGTA Gem Testing Center has led to protests that calling these stones Paraiba tourmalines will lower the value of the gems that were truly from Paraiba. For one, the tourmalines found in Nigeria have less brilliance compared to the ones from Brazil. While most experts have adapted this precedent, some gemstone purists remain adamant in using Paraiba only when referring to the gemstones from Paraiba, Brazil.

Distinguishing Features of the Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone

– Color: Paraiba tourmalines are known for their vivid colors, ranging from blue to green. While emeralds are also green and blue, in the right light, Paraiba tourmalines achieve an almost unearthly neon hue that has no other gemstone comparison.

– Brilliance: even without great clarity by diamond standards, these stones are extremely brilliant, sparkling in their unique colors even under poor light.

– Cost: because the stones are so spectacularly rare, a single carat of this gem will generally range somewhere in the five digit range for US dollars ($10,000+).

Paraiba tourmaline is now considered one of the most precious gemstones in the world, being even rarer than diamonds. Because the current known supply is close to depletion, while demand is still increasing, anyone serious about obtaining this incredible gemstone would be wise to make such an investment sooner rather than later.


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