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Gemstone Encyclopedia

Paraiba Tourmaline

Wholesale Paraiba tourmaline — buying guide for the trade

Copper-bearing tourmaline with an electric neon blue-to-green glow unlike any other gem. Brazilian origin commands a multiple over modern Mozambican production.

Key properties

Mineral
Cu-bearing tourmaline (Elbaite)
Hardness
7–7.5 (Mohs)
Key origins
Brazil (Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte), Mozambique, Nigeria
Typical treatments
Heat (almost universal, accepted)

What to look for when buying wholesale

  • Only copper-bearing tourmaline can legitimately be sold as "Paraiba" — chemistry reports are essential.
  • Sub-1ct Brazilian Paraiba is the trade sweet spot; over 3ct Brazilian is genuinely rare.
  • Mozambican Paraiba comes in much larger sizes at a fraction of Brazilian price.

Certification guidance

SSEF, Gübelin or GIA chemistry-verified origin reports are the trade standard for any Paraiba over USD 2,000.

Treatment disclosure

Heat treatment is universal and accepted. Any other treatment is unusual and must be disclosed.

Typical wholesale price tiers

TierWholesaleNotes
Commercial (Mozambique)$500–$2,500 / ctSmaller, lighter, larger stones
Fine$2,500–$10,000 / ctNeon colour, eye-clean
Brazilian$10,000–$50,000+ / ctOrigin-verified, top neon

Prices are indicative wholesale-to-trade ranges. Actual offers depend on origin, certification and supply at the time of enquiry.

Cuts and shapes

Paraiba Tourmaline is faceted into the same core shapes seen across coloured stones and diamonds — round, oval, cushion, emerald-cut, pear, radiant, princess, asscher, marquise and heart — plus antique cuts such as old mine and old European, most associated with period diamond jewellery. See the full Cut Library →

Source direct

Looking for a specific paraiba tourmaline?

Paraiba Tourmaline isn't heavily stocked on Chaos's live marketplace right now. Post a sourcing request instead — Chaos's dealer network is alerted directly and can quote against what you actually need, rather than what happens to be listed today.