"Paraiba Tourmaline" is the most valuable "Bixi" variety. It has a unique "Neon Color" because it contains "Cu" (Cu). Very deep color.
The name "Paraiba" comes from ParaÃba, the first place in the northeastern part of Brazil, where the origin of this copper-containing tourmaline was discovered.
Humans discover the history of Paraiba
In 1982, the Minada Batalha tourmaline mine in ParaÃba, Brazil began mining; in 1987, this mine produced a small amount of tourmaline with bright blue tones for the first time. In the same year, gemologist Heitor Dimas Barbosa published a paper. The discovery of gems.
In 1988, the Minada Batalha mine produced a total of about a few kilograms of this brilliant blue tourmaline crystal and cut hundreds of carats of high quality bare stone. Shortly after the sale of the first batch of cut gemstones, GIA and other gem identification agencies received samples. After analysis, it was confirmed that the rare blue color of this new tourmaline came from "copper" and "magnesium".
In 1990-1991, the production of bright blue tourmaline at the Minada Batalha mine peaked. At the 1990 Tucson Gem Show, the price of this new gem rose from hundreds of dollars to more than 2,000 in four days. The dollar is still in short supply, and people began to call this gems "Paraiba Tourmaline."
From 1992 to 1996, Minada Batalha's tourmaline mine fell into a dispute over ownership, and many forces competed for mining rights to the mine. From 1994 to 2001, the vast majority of Paraiba tourmaline rescreened old slag. Obtained, barely more than 0.5ct bare stone after cutting.
In addition to the Minada Batalha mine, two mines were discovered in ParaÃba, one at the Mulungu Mine, 60 km northeast of the Minada Batalha mine, with less output; the other is 45 km northeast of Minada Batalha. Kilometers of the Altodos Quintos Mine, which produces a variety of color tourmalines, with larger particles of copper-containing Paraiba tourmaline.
In 2001, Nigeria discovered a copper-containing tourmaline similar to Brazil's Paraiba Tourmaline; in 2009, Mozambique in Africa also discovered the same copper-containing tourmaline. The copper-containing tourmalines of these two places can be heated to a very bright blue-green color that is very close to the Paraiba tourmaline, so they are also called "Paraibaba Tourmaline" in the transaction.
At present, "ParaÃba Tourmaline" has broadly referred to a tourmaline containing copper and having a bright blue-green color (Neon Color).
Heat treatment of Paraiba Tourmaline
Almost all of ParaÃba Tourmaline in the global gemstone trade is heat treated, and the copper-containing fuchsia tourmaline will become "Neonblue & Turquoisecolor" when heated between 480-620 degrees Celsius.
Even in the ParaÃba state of Brazil in the 1990s, more than 80% of Paraiba tourmaline improved color by heating.
Factors affecting the value of Paraiba
Color is the most important factor, with high saturation and bright blue being the most popular. Due to the many cracks in the ParaÃba Tourmaline, completely clean and crack-free gemstones are much more expensive.
In terms of origin, the price of Paraiba tourmaline in Brazil can reach several times that of African origin. In general, the Paraiba tourmaline in Brazil is also higher in color than in Africa.
Wear and maintenance of Paraiba Tourmaline
"ParaÃba Tourmaline" is a multi-cracked gemstone. To avoid collision, you should not use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean it. The tourmaline is easy to absorb dust, so be careful to put it in a dustproof jewelry box.
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