Accompanied by report no. 0801097 dated 29 January 2008 from the Gübelin Gemmological Laboratory stating that the 8.21 carat Paraíba tourmaline is of Brazilian origin. Also accompanied with a note stating that the so-called “Paraíba tourmalines” entered the international gem market towards the end of the eighties. They immediately prized and coveted for their vivid coloration which ranges from rare purple to violetish-blue, from blue to green and yellowish-green (including blue-green, turquoise-blue and emerald-green). The colors of these tourmalines (sometimes also referred to as “electric blue” or “neon green” in the trade) are caused by varying amounts of the elements copper and manganese. The bright vivid blue and green “Paraíba colors” have not been seen in any other gemstone variety.

The first “Paraíba tourmalines” originated from a deposit near the village of São José de Batalha in the north of Paraíba state, Brazil. Later, by the mid- nineties, other occurrences were discovered in the northernmost part of Paraíba state and in the adjacent, southernmost corner of Rio Grande do Norte state, near the town of Parelhas. In 2000, another source of this color variety of tourmalines was discovered in Nigeria. More recently, the Alto Ligonha region in Mozambique joined the small and exclusive group of mining areas where “Paraíba tourmalines” are found.

In all these areas, particular geochemical surroundings cause the formation of exceptional tourmalines in pegmatite host rocks. These surroundings are also responsible for the unique colors of the “Paraíba tourmalines”.