.jpg?w=1)
‘Paraiba tourmalines’ are said to be one of the most coveted gemstones in recent years. It is the Brazilian ‘Paraiba tourmaline’ that is the rarest and most sought after, which first emerged into the international market towards the end of the eighties. The first ever discoverer of the ‘Paraiba tourmaline’ was Heitor Dimas Barbosa. He first encountered it at a deposit near the village of Sao Jose de Batalha in the northern part of Paraiba state of Brazil. By the mid-nineties, other mines were found in the northernmost part of Paraiba state as well as the southernmost corner of Rio Grande de Norte state, adjacent to the Paraiba state. So unique are the quality elements exhibited by the ‘Paraiba tourmalines’ that they were immediately glorified and prized when it first appeared on the market. One of the main reasons that makes it so unique is caused by varying amounts of trace elements copper and manganese, resulting in a very distinct colour-- a neon-bright blue-green ‘paraiba colour’. Another factor is the specific geochemical surroundings which yield pegmatite host rocks with bright vivid turquoise tourmalines. Tourmalines come in various shades and hues, from purple to violetish-blue, from blue to green and yellowish-green; but none is remotely comparable to the astonishing turquoise and majestic blue-green shade that distinguishes the ‘Paraiba tourmaline’, also known as cuprian elbaite. The tourmalines of this range have an incandescent glow that appears to light up the stone, thus the colour is sometimes also referred to as ‘electric blue’ or ‘neon green’ in the trade. Presented in this lot is not only one, but two ‘paraiba tourmalines’ exuberating the distinct and lively electric blue colour. It is truly a marvelous modern-day collector’s piece.
AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF TOURMALINE AND DIAMOND EAR PENDANTS
