YOUR SOURCE FOR COLOR

Paraíba tourmaline is a remarkable and rare variety of tourmaline, specifically a copper-bearing type of the elbaite species, that is celebrated for its intensely vivid blue-to-green colors and almost neon-like glow. What sets Paraíba tourmaline apart from ordinary tourmalines is its trace amounts of copper (Cu) and often manganese (Mn) within the crystal structure; these elements act as chromophores, meaning they influence the way light interacts with the mineral and produce its signature electric hues not typically seen in other gems. This copper-rich composition was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraíba in the late 1980s, which is why these gems carry the Paraíba name—a designation that has since been widely adopted in the gem trade even for similar material from Nigeria and Mozambique. The intense color and rarity of Paraíba tourmalines make them among the most coveted and valuable colored gemstones on the market.

In gemological practice, Paraíba tourmalines are evaluated not just for color saturation and hue, but also for clarity and cut, since these factors influence how light travels through and reflects from the gem. The striking colors, ranging from electric blues to vibrant greens and bluish-greens, are measured against established references, and experts often use quantitative chemical analyses such as laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to confirm trace-element signatures and, in some cases, geographic origin. Because true Paraíba tourmalines are scarce, fine-quality stones with strong, evenly distributed color command high prices, and buyers frequently seek independent laboratory reports to verify their natural origin and chemical characteristics.