Question 1

Does Paraiba tourmaline have to come from Brazil?

Accepted Answer

Not according to most laboratories. Many major labs use the name Paraiba for copper-bearing tourmaline in the appropriate blue to green colour range regardless of where it was mined, and add a separate origin opinion when possible. Brazilian stones usually command a premium, so buyers who want Brazilian material should ask for a report that states Brazil as the origin.

Question 2

Is Paraiba tourmaline heat treated?

Accepted Answer

Most Paraiba tourmaline is heated to remove purplish tones and produce a purer blue or green. The treatment is stable and generally cannot be detected by laboratories, so reports often do not comment on it. Unheated stones exist, but it is usually impossible to prove that a stone has not been heated. Clarity enhancement is separate and is often detectable.

Question 3

How can I confirm a stone is genuine Paraiba tourmaline?

Accepted Answer

Ask for a report from a recognised laboratory such as GIA, GRS, SSEF or Gübelin. The lab will confirm the stone is tourmaline and use chemical analysis to check for copper. Appearance alone is not reliable, since other blue and green tourmalines and some apatite can look similar. Origin, if stated, is an expert opinion based on trace element data.

Question 4

Why is Paraiba tourmaline so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Copper-bearing tourmaline has been found in only a few deposits, and output from the original Brazilian mines has been limited for many years. Most rough yields small, included stones, so clean stones with strong neon colour are scarce. Demand from high jewellery and collectors has remained strong, and larger Brazilian stones in particular trade at a considerable premium.

Paraiba Tourmaline