Discover the Paraiba Tourmaline with us

History, Properties and Beauty

The Paraiba tourmaline is one of the rarest and most fascinating gems in the world. Its vibrant blue-green colors and unique luminosity have captured the attention of jewelers and collectors since its discovery. In this article, we will explore the history of Paraiba tourmaline, its extraordinary properties, and what makes it one of the most desired gemstones.

The History of Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba tourmaline takes its name from the state of Paraíba, Brazil, where it was first discovered in 1989 by a Brazilian miner named Heitor Dimas Barbosa. Barbosa had spent years searching for this unique gem, convinced that there was something special in the hills of Paraíba. His determination was rewarded when he discovered the first Paraiba tourmaline, characterized by a never-before-seen neon blue color. This discovery revolutionized the gem market. The combination of rarity and beauty meant that Paraiba tourmaline quickly became one of the most sought after stones. In subsequent years, other deposits of Paraiba tourmaline were found in Nigeria and Mozambique, but the Brazilian variety remains the most prized and expensive.

Color

Color is undoubtedly the most distinctive feature of Paraiba tourmaline. The tones range from electric blue to aqua green, with an intense brightness that seems to shine from within the stone itself, but the most beautiful color in our opinion is turquoise. This unique color is due to the presence of traces of copper and, in some cases, manganese.

Brightness and Transparency

Paraiba Tourmaline is known for its extraordinary brightness, making it almost phosphorescent under light. This effect is due to its particular chemical composition and crystalline structure, which allow light to reflect and refract in ways that few other gems can match.

Hardness and Durability

The stone boasts a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, Paraiba tourmaline is durable enough to be used in everyday jewelry. However, like all precious gemstones, it requires care to avoid scratches and damage.

The Beauty of Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba tourmaline is celebrated for its hypnotic beauty. Its vibrant colors and brightness make it a perfect gemstone for exclusive and high-class jewelry. Necklaces, rings and earrings adorned with Paraiba tourmalines are symbols of elegance and sophistication, often associated with celebrities and special occasions.

Each piece of Paraiba tourmaline jewelry is unique, as color shades can vary greatly even within the same stone. This makes each jewel an unrepeatable work of art, capable of capturing light and attention in an incomparable way.

Do you know what the most famous Paraiba in the world is?

The Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba

The legendary Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba, a neon blue Paraiba tourmaline, is the central focus of the extraordinary “Paraiba Star of the Ocean Jewels” necklace, created by Canadian jeweler Moneca Kauffman. This necklace belongs to billionaire Vincent Boucher. The stone is the largest Paraiba tourmaline ever discovered, weighing 191.87 carats, and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest cut Paraiba tourmaline in the world.

Originally discovered in 1987 in the Batalha mine in Paraiba, Brazil, the Paraiba tourmaline is extremely rare and coveted. Vincent Boucher, founder and CEO of Billionaire Business Enterprises, Inc., purchased this precious gem in May 2009 and included it in his company’s Planetary Gemstone Collection, hoping it will become the premier collection of colored gemstones in the world.

In 2013, Boucher commissioned Moneca Kauffman to design a necklace that highlighted the beauty of the neon blue paraiba. After six months of work with master jeweler Patrick Gravelle, the necklace was born, adorned with 1,706 brightly colored gemstones, inspired by the sea and the health of the oceans. Paraiba Tourmaline represents the earth’s plants, composed of 70% Oceans. Among all the other precious gems in the necklace, the 10.73-carat yellow diamond stands out in particular, representing the sun and our inner light, illuminated by the beauty of creation.

The necklace was officially unveiled on October 18, 2013, with initial plans to auction it in 2014. However, the auction was canceled and, to this day, the necklace remains the property of Vincent Boucher.

The combination of rarity, beauty and symbolism makes the Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba and the “Paraiba Star of the Ocean Jewels” necklace among the most extraordinary treasures in the world of jewelry.

The Paraiba tourmaline is a gem that enchants and fascinates anyone lucky enough to admire it. Its fascinating history, its extraordinary properties and its incomparable beauty make it one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. If you are a gem enthusiast or simply appreciate the finer things in life, the Paraiba tourmaline is a treasure worth discovering and admiring.

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