Paraiba Tourmaline

This gemstone is both the most precious and valuable in the world, and with one glance, it is easy to see just why. Glowing from the inside out, the Paraiba Tourmaline is not only rare, but comes in various colors including neon blue, neon blue-green, and more. Discovered in the 1980's, this gem is commonly found in the classic country of Brazil.

Paraiba Tourmaline is considered to be one of two different birthstones that can be accepted for the month of October and because of this, it is also one of the gemstones for Libras and Scorpios. It does tend to vary in color, like most Tourmaline, but its brilliance and somewhat neon glow comes from that fact that it contains the element Copper.

Along with copper, Tourmaline is comprised of the Aluminium Borosilicate element and also contains Iron, Magnesium, and Lithium. Paraiba, is the only form of Tourmaline that contains Copper. The German Foundation for Gemstone Research has also found high Gold content within Paraiba Tourmaline, equaling to about 8.6 parts per every million.

There is a Shinghalese expression "tura mali" which when translated into English, stands for "stone of many or mixed colors." This is very well suited for this beautiful gemstone. In fact, in ancient Egyptian folklore, it has been said that on its journey to the Earth's surface, this gemstone must have passed through a rainbow. Another interesting fact about Tourmalines is that they exhibit something called piezoelectricity, which means when the gems are warmed up, they are electrically charged. On one end they are positively charged and on the other, negatively charged, acting like a natural magnet that is strong enough to attract dust particles and ash. For this reason alone, in older times, the Dutch used Tourmalines to clean out their smoking pipes.

This gemstone, along with numerous others, is credited to having mystical and magical powers to guard one against misfortune and danger. They influence heavily over love and friendship and support stability in both. Heitor Dimas Barbosa, a Brazilian man, is responsible for finding this brilliant gemstone beneath the Paraiba Hill. Other than Brazil, Nigeria may have some deposits as well. Paraiba Tourmaline is extremely rare, thus increasing its prices tremendously.