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opposite page: In 2003, a new wave of stunning green-blue
123.60 ct. Paraiba tourmalines was unearthed. Mined from the
necklace combined mountains of Nigeria and Mozambique they are
with 28.03 ct. of white very similar to the Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil,
diamonds, set in 18k with only minute chemical differences. By 2006 it
white gold.
was clear that since Paraiba-like tourmalines were
being mined in other parts of the world, the LMHC
agreed that ‘Paraiba’ should refer to a variety of
tourmaline, and not its geographic origin. Therefore
45.63 ct. Paraiba ring
combined with 4.37 ct. the term ‘Paraiba tourmaline’ now refers to gems
of white diamonds, set found in Brazil, Nigeria, and Mozambique.Their
in 18k white gold. common factor being the stunning quality and
saturation of their blue-green color.

Because of the Paraiba’s high value, they are
almost always custom cut and usually faceted into
round, oval or pear cuts. Not surprisingly, in just a
few decades, paraiba tourmalines have become
one of the most sought-after gemstones in the
world, incomparable to any other gem.

22.03 ct. Paraiba
earrings with
marquise cut
Paraiba
diamonds, set in
18k white gold.

Tourmalines

Imagine discovering a completely new gem, a gem durability make it very well suited for jewelry. Tourmalines
unseen by previous generations that doesn’t appear in were imported into Europe from Ceylon by the Dutch
any geology book. This is exactly what happened to one in early 1700's. They became very popular and were
gemstone prospector when he uncovered what some declared a stone of the Muses, inspiring and enriching the
consider to be the finest tourmalines ever found. Heitor creative processes and favored by artists and writers. But
Dimas Barbosa had spent years digging in the hills of the until 1989 no one had owned a tourmaline as dazzling as
Brazilian state of Paraiba, when in 1989 together with his Barbosa’s Paraiba tourmalines. In addition to their startling
team he hit the jackpot and found the most stunningly vivid incandescent hues, these gems were incredibly rare. Only
stones ever seen. These astonishingly bright turquoise color one Paraiba tourmaline is mined for every 10,000 diamonds,
gems became known as Paraiba tourmalines. and so consequently, the value of Paraiba tourmalines
A Tourmaline is an extremely complex borosilicate that continues to soar.
occurs in more than a hundred colors. Its toughness and

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