Paraiba Tourmaline

Paraiba tourmaline is one of the most coveted varieties of tourmaline, instantly recognizable for its vivid neon blue to turquoise colors caused by traces of copper. Its electric glow and rarity make it one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. Brazil is the classic and most celebrated source of paraiba tourmaline, particularly from the state of Paraíba, where it was first discovered in the late 1980s. Crystals from this locality, often occurring on quartz, display an unmatched intensity of color and are considered the benchmark for the species. Afghanistan has also produced paraiba-like blue tourmalines from certain pegmatite deposits, though these tend to differ slightly in hue and saturation compared to Brazilian material. Still, Afghan specimens are highly desirable for their beauty and quality, standing as essential additions to fine collections.