Paraiba Tourmaline The Neon Blue Stone

Photo: Pala International - These stones have set the gem world on fire.

Paraiba tourmaline is a rare variety of tourmaline (defined as a 6-member cyclosilicate having a trigonal crystal system). The gemstone was 1st discovered in Brazil in 1989. Prized for its neon blue; green; and blue-green colors, today it is greatly sought after for jewelry. Later deposits were also found in Nigeria and Mozambique. All 3 areas, where the sparklers are mined, are rich in copper, the element responsible for giving Paraiba tourmaline its bright neon blue color.

Due to its rarity, the price of top quality (good color and clarity) Paraiba tourmaline can soar to $16,000+ per carat. A stone over 5 carats is especially rare and expensive ... more than 5 times the cost of 1 carat.

On Moh's Mineral Scale of Hardness, where diamonds rate a 10 followed by sapphires and rubies at 9 and emeralds coming in at 8, Paraiba tourmaline registers a 7 - 7.5, making it a suitable gem to wear as jewelry. (BTW: Pearls are a 4 - 4.5. You're welcome!)

Considered a semi-precious stone, there is no scientific distinction between precious and semi-precious jewels, and in fact, many semi-precious gemstones cost more per carat than diamonds -- since diamonds are common on earth while other gems like Paraiba tourmalines are very rare.

Photo: Coomi

Tourmaline crystals are pleochroism, which means they absorb different wavelengths of light differently resulting in accents of different colors depending on the direction of view. So they are cut into shapes to best display the richness of their colors.

Photo: Gemstones on YT

Since their discovery, Paraiba tourmalines have set the gem world on fire, and their value is heading in one direction↑ .... up, up and away!! A gorgeous gemstone that fewer people in the world own (so far) -- and costly!

Photo: Coomi

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