Paraìba Tourmaline

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5.64 ct neon greenish blue Paraìba tourmaline and diamond ring in 18K white gold

Species:  Tourmaline
​​Mohs Hardness:  7 to 7.5 out of 10
Color:  Intense, vivid neon blue to green (color caused by copper impurities)
RI:  1.603 to 1.655 (+/-0.005)
Birefringence:  0.013 to 0.024
SR/DR/AGG:  DR
Clarity Type:  Type II
Optic Character:  Uniaxial negative
Pleochroism:  Medium to strong, usually two tones of the gem's body color.
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Not diagnostic.  Inert or weak to moderate bluish white under LW.
SG:  2.84 to 3.10 (3.05 Average)
Routine Treatments:  Heating

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Paraìba Tourmaline facts

Paraìba tourmaline cabochon and diamond ring

In 1988, extremely saturated, vivid blue and green tourmalines were discovered in Paraíba, Brazil.

Paraìba tourmaline colors include neon blue, blue-green, greenish blue, green, mint green and rarely violet or purple.

These intense, neon colored tourmalines owe their color to copper impurities and also often contain traces of manganese.

Since their original discovery, similarly colored tourmalines have been discovered in other locations in Brazil, as well as in other locations such as Nigeria and Mozambique.  Although they may not have been mined in Paraíba, they are still classified as Paraìba tourmaline as long as their color is caused by copper impurities.

Paraìba tourmaline tone and saturation requirements:
Medium light to medium dark tone (4 to 6 on GIA's Tone Scale) and strong to vivid color saturation (5 to 6 on GIA's Saturation Scale)

Paraìba tourmalines can be inert or will fluoresce weak to moderate bluish white under longwave ultraviolet light.  If they fluoresce red under LW UV, they aren't considered Paraíba.

Fun Fact:  Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric, meaning it is a gem that becomes electrically charged when heated or squeezed!

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Paraìba Tourmaline Gallery

YouTube Video

All photos and videos are courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)

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