Interesting Facts About Paraiba Tourmaline
Did you know that Paraiba tourmaline is exceptionally rare that it is found in a ratio similar to one out of 10,000 diamonds mined01?
It was discovered in 1989. One of its notable features is its “neon” glow.
This glow is attributed to the trace amounts of manganese and copper in its composition02.
This chemical mixture paves way for the stone to appear electric and become luminescent even in low-light conditions03.
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Where the Paraiba Tourmaline Comes From
Paraiba tourmaline was discovered in 1989 by a prospector named Heitor Dimas Barbosa.
He spent over five years digging the hills in Paraiba, Brazil. It is where he unearthed crystals with an “unearthly” glow04.
This gemstone posses an intense, “neon” or “electric” glow.
The Paraiba tourmaline has a neon turquoise, lagoon green, and swimming-pool blue colors due to trace amounts of manganese and copper in its chemical composition05.
With this, the gemstone appears luminescent even in low light.
This gemstone is part of the elbaite family. Its size is often small06.
Paraiba tourmaline comes from Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil.
These deposits, however, are now largely depleted07.
There are similar copper-bearing tourmalines found in Nigeria and Mozambique in the early 2000s which produce larger and better clarity stones08.
Nevertheless, the original Brazilian gems still hold the most value due to its superior color saturation and historical status.
How It Is Processed or How It Is Made
The processing of Paraiba tourmaline involves a multi-step process.
This is a natural gemstone and no commercial synthetic means are made in order to produce it09.
The process is rigorous with high-stakes craftsmanship in order to protect the stone’s value.
The first process is extraction.
It involves using hand tools like shovels and picks used by miners in order to delicately remove soil and quartz matrix10.
The next step is heat treatment.
Since most rough stones have natural purple or violet hue, they are subjected to low-temperature heating in order to remove red manganese components.
This, therefore, reveals the iconic “neon” blue copper saturation. The last process is precision cutting.
This involves cutting the stone into pear, oval, or cushion cuts in order to minimize weight loss11.
Why It Is Expensive and How Rare It Is
Paraiba tourmaline is considered as one of the rarest minerals on Earth.
For every one Paraiba tourmaline discovered, around 10,000 diamonds are mined.
This extreme rarity of this gemstone heightens its value12.
Furthermore, it endows a unique copper-based chemistry which is responsible for creating its “neon” glow.
This glow is unmatched among other gems.
Examples of Jewelry Made From This Gemstone
There are notable jewelry pieces made from Paraiba tourmaline. Some of these include:
- The ZaZa Azul – It is a world-class 13.34-carat flawless Brazilian stone set in a diamond-endowed Bvlgari Trombino ring. It is the first Bvlgari piece in the Smithsonian’s collection13
- The Ethereal Carolina Divine – It is one of the world’s largest cut Paraiba tourmaline which weighs aroun 191.87 carats14
Paraiba Tourmaline’s Market Value (Price per Carat)
Paraiba tourmalines are expensive due to its extreme scarcity and coupled by its unique chemical composition15.
In terms of its current market value as of 2026, different types of Paraiba tourmaline vary in price value.
As for African Paraiba tourmaline (from Mozambique or Nigeria), the price ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 per carat.
As for Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline, the price ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 per carat.
The most expensive type, which is the Elite Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline, it can exceed around $100,000 per carat15.
