Paraiba Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a gem which has been popular since the days of the Roman Empire. Tourmaline belongs to the trigonal (three sided) crystal system and occurs as long, slender to thick columnar crystals that are usually triangular in cross-section. No other common mineral has three sides. This mineral group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of silicate minerals.

The wide variety of colors is caused by different elements occurring in tourmaline. Usually, iron-rich tourmalines are black to bluish-black to deep brown, while magnesium-rich varieties are brown to yellow, and lithium-rich tourmalines are practically any color: blue, green, red, yellow, pink etc. Rarely, tourmaline is colorless. Bi-colored and multicolored crystals are relatively common. Crystals may be green at one end and pink at the other, or green on the outside and pink inside; this variation is called watermelon tourmaline. Some forms of tourmaline are dichroic (they appear to change color when viewed from different directions).

In 1989, Brazilian miners discovered a unique and brightly colored variety of tourmaline. The new type of tourmaline was found in the state of Paraiba and soon became known as Paraiba tourmaline. This new find excited many with its vivid blue and green colors. These new iridescent colors were often described as "neon" since they appeared to glow.

Gemologists discovered that the vivid color of Paraiba tourmaline was due to the presence of copper. This was unlike any of the other varieties where copper is rarely if ever present. Paraiba tourmaline also often contains manganese. The interaction between copper and manganese creates the beautiful colors of this variety.

In the late 90s, copper-bearing tourmaline was found in Nigeria. This material was generally pale and less saturated than the Brazilian materials although it was much less included than the Brazilian variety. A more recent discovery from Mozambique has also produced beautiful tourmaline colored by copper, similar to the Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline. Mozambique Paraiba is often less included and has been found in larger sizes. There is a significant overlap in color and clarity with Mozambique Paraiba and Brazilian Paraiba. Some Mozambique material sells for over $12,000 per carat wholesale, which is still extremely high compared to other tourmalines.

The supply of the Mozambique variety is uncertain at this point; the consensus seems to be that there is plenty of lighter material available, but very few large stones or stones of highly saturated color. Supply will decrease with time. Meanwhile, there seems to be an increasing demand for this beautiful gem. There are usually stunning specimens available at larger gem shows. These amazing stones are a sight not to be missed and well worth the time to see them when they are available.

For information on a variety of gemstones please visit http://www.majesticgems.com
Richard Pell is a writer, gemologist, and sales and marketing director of Global Sun Trading founded in 1992. His company sells and distributes; gemstones, gemstone beads, fossil ivory carvings and mineral specimens. He is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad CA. and holds a Graduate Gemologist (GG) certificate. Richard graduated with a BA from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA with a degree in English and minor in Science and Engineering. He has completed course certification in Technical writing and photography and writes articles for web sites and promotion in the gem and jewelry industry.

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