PARAÍBA TOURMALINE , Heated

This is a very new gemstone, a magnificent and beautiful material
with a color that is referred to as “fluorescent” blue.

There is just one reason why Paraíba tourmaline, new on the scene and with unstable production, is included in this book-its rare and unmatched beauty. The state of Paraíba in the northeastern corner of Brazil, far away from any other tourmaline mines, is the sole source of this unusual tourmaline. The material was mined in earnest during one year, 1989, from a hill near the village of Sao Jose da Batalha. Unfortunately, there is no significant current production.

Paraíba tourmaline occurs in extremely vivid blue and green colors that have not been seen previously in tourmaline. These colors are due the presence of copper impurities. The Paraíba tourmaline in the photograph to the next page is one of gem quality with a turquoise-blue color. The cut is somewhat shallow, and some inclusions can be seen, but its hue is very beautiful.

On a personal note, my mother, who for years had been exposed to the gemstones my father dealt with, purchased a ring of five small, round Paraíba tourmalines. Enchanted with the beauty of their color, even now she wears them quite regularly. The appeal of Paraíba tourmaline far exceeds that of other gems, to the point where they are desired even by people who are accustomed to seeing various gemstones. Their neon-like blue brilliance is distinctive, brimming over with a powerful beauty.

The tone of Paraíba tourmaline is generally fixed at around level 4, with fine brilliance in spite of its light tone. Of course, tone may vary in tone depending on whether their cut is deep or shallow.

According to reports from the Pariba deposit, the mine is about 60 meters deep, and the interior is said to be maze-like, consisting of a number of shafts from which a multitude of tunnels have been dug. It appears that mining will continue, using arduous methods of careful hand digging to discover new deposits. We wish the miners success.

Ring, Platinum
Paraíba Tourmaline 6 pc
1.87 ct
Heated
Diamond 4 pc
0.68 ct
US $9,500

Name of mineral : Tourmaline
Mohs hardness : 7~7
Refractive index : 1.624~1.644
Specific gravity : 3.06

Weight: 1.57 ct
Size (mm) : L 8.6 x W 6.8 x D 3.67
Heated
Gem Quality
US $25,000

HUES OF PARAÍBA TOURMALINE

As mentioned previously, the tone of Paraíba tourmaline is generally fixed at around level 4. Basic quality judgment starts with the beauty grade, followed by a consideration of hue. Although Paraíba tourmaline occurs in a very wide variety of hues ranging from green to violet, the special appeal of Paraíba material lies in its neon-like turquoise-blue or distinctive violet colors. The considerable difference in beauty between Paraíba green and common green tourmaline is difficult to see when viewed separately, but becomes apparent when the two are compared side by side. In the case of the turquoise-blue Paraíba material, the indisputable difference in beauty is easily appreciate even when viewed by itself.

THE COLOR WHEEL

Hue refers to basic color, such as the reds, yellows, and blues seen in the rainbow, and the color wheel is circular arrangement of these hues. The Practical Color Coordinate System (PCCS) is constructed using 24 hues. The modified Munsell system uses an arrangement of 20 hues. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, purple, and their intermediate hues can be represented both numerically and by name. Paraíba tourmaline spans a wide range of hues from green to blue to violet.

JUDGING QUALITY

Start with an analysis of the beauty of the stone. By looking at the S, A, B, C and D grades to the next page, the approximate ranking from the very attractive S to the comparatively unattractive D can be understood. Different beauty grades of both the copper-green and turquoise-blue hues are included in the top and bottom rows. Within the same beauty grade, for example grade A, the blue stones are preferred by most people, resulting in greater scarcity and higher prices. (Incidentally, adjustment of the beauty grade to account for hue is also necessary in grading Thai rubies because they similarly occur in a wide range of shades.) In the case of Paraíba tourmaline, the key to understanding the beauty grade is to keep in mind that the turquoise-blue stones will command a premium price within a given grade.

As mentioned above, using the quality scale for Paraíba tourmalines begins with establishing the five levels of the beauty grade. Next consider any premiums associated with the different hues. Many people think that turquoise-blue is the most attractive color, and a premium price will reflect this.

Paraíba tourmaline also has its color made more attractive through heat treatment.

UALITY SCALE
PARAÍBA TOURMALINES
Heated

HOW TO CHOOSE

Paraíba tourmaline is a completely new gem variety. Though it is mineralogically classified as tourmaline, its appearance is vastly different from any material seen up to now. Its fluorescent blue or green color is more vivid than that of any other gemstone, and sets it apart from the refine beauty of traditional gems.

The key in choosing a Paraíba tourmaline is to select a stone in one of these unique, vivid colors, regardless of size. Another appeal of this material is that offers these brilliant colors not only in gem-quality stones, but in those of jewelry quality and accessory quality as well.

The value of a one-carat-size Paraíba tourmaline of jewelry quality is approximately US $2,500 for the stone alone (2004).

The 3 quality zones as they appear in the quality scale