Acknowledgment 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Birmingham City University Gemmology Department for allowing us to use their advanced equipment on several tourmalines included in our forthcoming auction on 23rd October. In particular, our thanks go to lecturer Sherril Dixon, MSc FGA DGA GG for her generous support and assistance

 

"Paraiba Tourmaline" evolution. From mine to market and beyond 

In the gemstone world, few names carry as much weight, controversy, and sheer visual impact as "Paraíba Tourmaline." Its story is a fascinating case study of how a geological discovery can ignite a market, challenge scientific nomenclature, and ultimately transform into a powerful, trade-driven brand.

 

The discovery: Brazil 

The genesis of this story lies in the late 1980s in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Prospector Heitor Dimas Barbosa and his team unearthed a previously unknown gemstone from the pegmatites of the Batalha Mine. Something familiar…but different!

The defining characteristic: The material displayed an unprecedented vivid neon-blue, electric greenish-blue, or violet-blue hue. This electrifying colour was instantly recognizable and highly sought-after.

The scientific cause: Gemmological analysis, primarily by institutions like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), identified the cause of this unique coloration. It was the presence of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) as trace elements. While manganese can cause pinks and reds in tourmalines, its interaction with copper in the crystal structure was responsible for these unique "neon" blues and greens. This was a landmark discovery, as copper had rarely been identified as a primary colouring agent in tourmaline.

At this point, the terminology was straightforward and geographically specific: it was called "Paraíba tourmaline." The name perfectly encapsulated its singular origin and its fascinating properties.

 

The expansion: from Paraiba to Rio Grande do Norte 

The Brazilian Paraíba deposits were exceptionally small and produced only a tiny amount of this extraordinary material, making it one of the rarest and most expensive gems in the world. However, in the early 2000s, something unexpected occurred in the market: new deposits of copper-bearing tourmaline were discovered in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. While geologically similar, and also coloured by copper, these were not from the original Paraíba mines. The gemmological community was faced with a dilemma: Should the name "Paraíba" be restricted only to stones from the Paraíba state, or could it apply to any copper-bearing tourmaline from Brazil? The trade, driven by marketing and consumer recognition, overwhelmingly chose the latter. The name "Paraíba" had already become synonymous with that specific electric colour. Thus, the term began to stretch, encompassing stones from Rio Grande do Norte.

 

The paradigm shift: from geographic locality to varietal type 

The most significant evolution in terminology came with discoveries outside of Brazil. Major finds of copper-bearing tourmaline emerged in Nigeria (around 2001) and later in Mozambique (around 2005).

This created a full-blown identity crisis for the name "Paraíba”.

Gemmological labs, which prioritise scientific accuracy, were hesitant to apply a strict geographic label to a stone from a different continent. However, the trade had a powerful incentive: the "Paraíba" name commanded a significant premium. So, the question remained: What defines a "Paraíba" tourmaline, its address or its DNA?

·       The Provenance Argument: Purists, many gemmologists, and dealers of the original Brazilian material argued that "Paraíba" was a Local Type term. In gemmology, many names are strictly geographic (e.g., Burmese ruby, Kashmir sapphire). Using "Paraíba" for a stone from Africa, they argued, was misleading and devalued the rarity and historical significance of the Brazilian discovery. It was a matter of provenance and pedigree.

·       The Varietal Argument: The trade at large, argued that the unique selling proposition was never the "Paraíba" location itself, but the unprecedented visual effect caused by copper. Consumers were paying for the electrifying colour, not the specific “patch of earth” it came from. Since the Nigerian and Mozambican stones shared the same essential gemmological identity, they should be allowed to use the name that describes that specific "type" of tourmaline.

This was not a mere academic debate; it had significant implications for value, disclosure, and consumer trust. The resolution of this conflict marks the most profound evolution in the terminology.

 

The market's verdict and lab response

A compromise of sorts was finally reached. The trade adopted "Paraíba tourmaline" as a varietal name for any elbaite exhibiting the visual characteristics previously described, regardless of its geographic origin, much like "sapphire" describes a type of corundum, regardless of whether it's from Sri Lanka or Montana.

On the other hand, reputable gemmological laboratories responded with a critical compromise that upholds scientific integrity while acknowledging trade reality. As the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) explains, the standardised nomenclature should be as follows: Species: “Tourmaline”, Variety: “Elbaite/Paraiba” and/or “tourmaline", Origin: If known, and this is key, it must be determined by advanced chemical fingerprinting (e.g., trace element analysis), if not; “unknown/undetermined”. Finally, under the further information or comment section: "Copper and Manganese-bearing", or if not mentioned in the variety section: “may also be called paraiba tourmaline”.

This two-tiered approach provides transparency. A consumer can now understand what they are buying.

 

Conclusion: a team forged in colour 

The journey of the term "Paraíba tourmaline" is a masterclass in how gemstone language evolves. It began as a strict geographic locality, was challenged into becoming a varietal type defined by its copper-based colour and has been refined by the market to imply a specific colour saturation within that type.

For the informed consumer, gemmologist, and enthusiasts, understanding this evolution is paramount. This knowledge empowers us to appreciate not just the stone's breathtaking beauty, but also the intricate and fascinating journey of its very name. From a hidden mine in Brazil to a global standard for one of nature's most radiant colours, and the story may carry on…who knows!

 

A final word of thanks 

Once again, we thank Birmingham City University Gemmology Department and Sherril Dixon, MSc FGA DGA GG, for their expert support and for enabling our continued exploration into the fascinating world of tourmaline.