Paraíba Tourmaline: The Neon Dream of the Gem World
In 1989, Heitor Dimas Barbosa discovered something extraordinary in the hills of Paraíba, Brazil—tourmaline crystals with an otherworldly neon blue-green color never before seen in nature. The gem world would never be the same.
The Copper Connection
What makes Paraíba tourmaline so special? Trace amounts of copper and manganese create that signature electric blue-green glow. The copper content gives the stone an almost radioactive luminosity that seems to glow from within, even in low light.
Extreme Rarity
The original Brazilian mines are nearly depleted. While copper-bearing tourmalines have since been found in Mozambique and Nigeria, true Brazilian Paraíba remains extraordinarily rare. Fine specimens sell for $20,000 to $50,000 per carat—sometimes more.
A Collector's Dream
Paraíba tourmaline has become the ultimate collector's gemstone. Major auction houses regularly see record-breaking prices for exceptional specimens. A fine Paraíba is not just a beautiful gem—it's a tangible piece of geological miracle.
