There’s something rare, something ineffable about a precious gemstone that gleams like azure seawater under the sunlight. The paraiba tourmaline dazzles the eyes of every gemstone lover with its neon ocean blue shade since its debut in the late 1980s. The spellbinding radiance of this tourmaline stone is unparalleled. The light that sparkles within is not just aesthetic, it’s almost spiritual and emotional.
So, why does this surreal gemstone make it our all-time favorite? Let’s explore the water of its origin, cultural significance, brilliance and rarity to understand why paraiba tourmaline keeps dazzling its way through the jewelry world.
A Sparkling Legend is Born out of Earth
The story begins in the mineral-infused hills of Paraiba, a Brazilian state. Heitor Dimas, a Gem prospector in 1989, discovered a variety of tourmaline stones that seemed to dull all others in its glow. These gemstones blazed so vividly blue that it seemed very unnatural, almost like having an unworldly glow that had never been seen before.
The brilliant neon glimmer comes from the manganese and copper elements in it, which produce the mesmerizing electric blue color, often with violet undertones. The intensity of the shade was almost extraordinary, and overnight, paraiba tourmaline became one of the most desired gemstones around the world.
Why Paraiba is Different from Other Tourmaline Stone
Tourmaline belongs to the gem family that is cherished for its versatility. It exists in color scales like watermelon (a blend of pink and green), black (schorl), red (rubellite), green and pink. All these pretty colors, but nothing can stand out with the effervescent shade of this neon blue gem. It’s a geological wonder in the world of natural precious stones.
Other tourmaline stones may captivate the hearts with their saturation and range, but Paraiba’s fame lies in its luminous core. The unmistakable glow seems to dazzle even under insufficient light. This is what sets this neon blue precious stone apart, and the reason for gemologists and jewelers to consider this as the crown jewel of the tourmaline family.
The Global Demand for Paraiba’s Incandescent Glow
The mines in Brazil were depleted very soon, which led to the frantic search for this precious stone across the world and for similar gems. Eventually, searches came to a halt upon finding a source in Mozambique and Nigeria.
Although those stones were almost identical in hue and chemical composition, the paraiba tourmaline from Brazil still holds the first spot in its historical significance and origin. Gemstones from Mozambique and Nigeria are bigger, while the Brazilian version is deeply saturated and smaller.
Regardless of the continents, tourmalines infused with copper are considered paraibas, and this aspect is strictly followed. So, we can safely say that all paraiba tourmalines are tourmaline gemstones, but not all tourmalines are Paraiba.
A Mosaic of Shades
Known for its incandescent shade of neon blue, paraiba tourmaline can dazzle in various other shades such as bluish lavender, peacock teal, lilac violet, or sometimes sea foam green.
The versatile colors allow it to be a perfect choice for paraiba tourmaline jewelry. Whether set in a slender platinum band or a vintage gold chain, these gemstones can tell their stories of rarity and charm the hearts of their wearer.
From a Diamond in the Rough to a Cultural Star
Although this precious stone is relatively young in the world of natural gems, paraiba tourmaline has rapidly ascended to a star status. The stories of its sightings on the red carpets of the Met Gala and Cannes are abundant. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Rihanna dazzled Instagram with an emerald gown and unmistakable pairs of Paraiba drop earrings.
Its immediate visual reaction also means that it became a favored gem among the enthusiasts, avant-garde designers and renowned stylists. Everyone wants their pieces to stand apart not just for their extravagance, but for their uniqueness.
Paraiba Tourmaline Jewelry: The Blend of Design and Emotion
Wearing paraiba tourmaline jewelry feels more than a mere accessory, it’s like depicting your own story to the world. A tourmaline stone has an intense glow from the inside that makes it ideal for centerpiece designs that signify rare beauty and profound tales.
Here are some of the most loved jewelry styles with paraiba tourmaline stones.
- Minimal bracelets that can make a quiet but strong statement.
- Timeless art déco earrings, where the neon blue gem can shine brilliantly on angular platinum.
- Vintage pendants that can be paired with rose-cut diamonds.
- Classic solitaire rings that let the otherworldly glow capture the limelight.
Whether designed for a minimalist or maximalist impact, each jewelry piece made with paraiba tourmaline becomes a personal keepsake–echo of distant waves, soft dreams and evanescent memories.
What Makes Paraiba Tourmaline Stone a Valuable Gem
Ever wondered why paraiba tourmaline is so valuable? It has all the reasons to be this cherished and expensive.
- Extreme rarity: True Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline is very rare to find. Clean stones over 1 carat are regarded as highly precious and collectible.
- Investment potential: With its almost unavailability, paraiba tourmaline jewelry holds better value.
- Emotional appeal: The neon hue of this gem resonates with the inner feeling, invoking longing and wonder.
- Extraordinary shade: The glow of this precious gem is unparalleled, even displayed among other precious stones.
The price of good quality paraiba starts at $2500 per carat. However, higher-grade stones can cost anywhere between $10,000 & $50,000 per carat, depending on clarity, color saturation and origin.
Care Tips for Your Tourmaline Stone Jewelry
These stones are durable, scoring 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Although tough, paraiba tourmaline can show its sparkle forever with proper care:
- Store the jewelry separately to avoid scratches
- Refrain from using harsh or ultrasonic chemicals
- Clean with soft hands and warm water and use a soft brush.
With mindful care, paraiba tourmaline jewelry can become a pricey heirloom and can be worn across generations displaying its spellbinding glow.
Everlasting Neon Blue of Paraiba Tourmaline Stone
Even after its rare availability and high price, why do we keep returning to this neon blue gem and leave others? Perhaps paraiba feels more like an everlasting phenomenon than just a gemstone. It doesn’t just give that luxury feel; it’s a wild card, luminous and electric in its sheer glow that feels ethereal. It’s like collecting gleaming rainbow waves in a glass jar.
To wear a paraiba tourmaline is to beckon all the rarest energies into your life.
Parting Thoughts: A Gem that can Reform Your Life
Every natural gemstone has a different personality. Rubies are burning desires, emeralds are royal eminence, and diamonds are indomitable. While paraiba tourmaline is purely elemental. It makes us realize that beauty lies in the feeling and not in its form. This is the emotion that cannot be evoked by any other tourmaline stone, not the way paraiba does.
From its wild origins to its hypnotic charm, paraiba tourmaline is more than our cherished gemstone, it’s our divine muse. Explore www.gemsny.com for your own and check out GemsNY reviews for additional inspiration.
FAQ
Yes, tourmaline stone can be worn daily, especially in pendants, rings and earrings. However, it’s important to consider the setting like the bezel, it will shield the stone from accidental bumps, making it perfect for daily wear.
This gemstone is often associated with spiritual clarity, communication and emotional healing.
This precious stone contains manganese and copper, which gives it a glorious neon blue color, and that’s what sets it apart from other tourmalines.
Vedic astrology recommends that Gemini and Virgo can wear this stone. Western astrology prescribes tourmaline as the birthstone for October-born people.
The pure and bright tones of blue, green and red are the most valued stones. But the electric blue ones with copper are rare and it’s one of the best types of tourmaline stones.
Yes, Brazilian paraiba tourmaline is the rarest and most valuable due to its origin and limited availability.
Tourmaline stones are very hard to get a scratch on. So, if there are scratches on it, it is possibly not tourmaline. Also, if the gemstone looks crystal clear, it’s not the same.
Prices can vary from $500 to $50,000 per carat, based on the stone’s clarity, size and origin.
These stones are valued for their vivid color. The finest paraiba has a high saturation of neon blue hue and a sparkling aura, which makes it easy to see it under low light.
Generally, tourmaline stones do not get affected by sunlight, but extreme heat can damage it. Extreme heat or sudden temperature changes can fracture the gemstone or alter its color.
Yes, there are fake paraiba tourmalines out there. These gemstones are identified by their unmatched vivid neon blue color, but if there are irregular patterns and the color seems off, it can be fake. Fake gemstones are often made of glass or other materials.
