Paraiba Tourmaline
The rarest coloured gemstone on earth.
Paraiba Tourmaline, unset, from the atelier.
The stone
No other gemstone glows like a Paraiba. The characteristic neon blue to neon green, caused by traces of copper and manganese, has no equal in nature. Since their discovery in 1989 in the Brazilian state of Paraíba these stones have been among the most coveted in the world.
Where rubies, sapphires and emeralds have been known for millennia, the Paraiba story is barely thirty-five years old. Deposits are extremely limited. Every stone is a geological one-off.
Origins
- Brazil (Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte)
- The original. Brazilian Paraibas show the most intense neon blue and command the highest prices worldwide. The deposits are all but exhausted, and new finds of this quality are considered unlikely.
- Mozambique
- A second source since the early 2000s. The stones are often larger and the colours a little less intense — considerably more accessible in price, and still appreciating strongly.
Paraiba Tourmaline as an investment
Paraiba tourmalines show one of the strongest appreciation curves of any coloured gemstone: 8 to 12 per cent a year on average for top Brazilian material.
At Sotheby's a Brazilian Paraiba of only 8.20 carats achieved over USD 500,000 per carat.
- Extremely limited deposits with no new sources in sight
- Rising demand on the international auction market
- Brazilian stones above 3 carats are practically unobtainable
- Instantly recognisable: the colour is unmistakable
- Mozambique offers an attractive entry with above-average potential
- The youngest of the great gemstones — market awareness is still growing
Quality criteria
- Colour
- The decisive criterion. Electric blue and neon blue command the highest prices; stones that are too dark or too pale lose value sharply.
- Origin
- Brazil against Mozambique makes a substantial difference, often a factor of three to five. Origin is documented on the certificate.
- Size
- Brazilian Paraibas above 2 carats are extremely rare and exponentially more expensive. Mozambique also yields larger stones.
- Clarity
- Slight inclusions are typical and accepted. Eye-clean stones are rare and priced at a premium.
- Treatment
- Most Paraibas are lightly heated, which is standard and accepted. Unheated stones are the exception.
- Certificate
- Mandatory: GIA, SSEF, Gübelin or GRS — always with origin and copper analysis.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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A hundred and eighty years of family trade, personal relationships with the finest gemstone suppliers worldwide, and a buying network I have built over more than a decade. Straight from the source, without middlemen.
I accompany you from selection through certification and storage to an eventual sale. Transparently, independently, in person.