Discover Paraiba Tourmaline’s Green Treasure
In the late 1980s, a striking gemstone was uncovered in Brazil's Paraíba state—a discovery that would forever change the world of colored gemstones. This gem, Paraiba Tourmaline, dazzled the gemstone market with hues never before seen, including neon blues and greens, thanks to its unique copper content. The initial finds introduced not only the iconic blue but also vivid green shades, sparking excitement among gem enthusiasts and jeweler artisans.
The Brazilian material that reached the market in the early days was predominantly blue, even though the mine produced both blue and green hues. Heitor Barbosa, the visionary who introduced Paraiba Tourmaline to the world, showcased the vivid blues first at international gem shows, and it quickly became the hallmark hue of this incredible gemstone.
More than a decade after Paraiba’s discovery in Brazil, deposits of similar copper-bearing tourmalines were unearthed in Mozambique and Nigeria. These new sources revealed additional quantities of the electric blues and greens, making the gemstone accessible to a broader market. Mozambican stones often stood out for their large size and clarity, contrasting with the typically smaller yet vibrantly saturated Brazilian gems. Mozambique’s variety offered a rich color palette, with more opportunities for vibrant greens. This added diversity, along with more sustainable supply options, expanding the possibilities for jewelry designers worldwide.
The discovery of deposits in Nigeria and Mozambique introduced a stable supply of Paraiba tourmaline, helping maintain the stone’s place in the luxury gemstone market over the past decade. With companies like Cuprian & Co. able to provide a steady "run of mine" production—offering stones in their entire color spectrum—designers and collectors now have greater access to both blue and green varieties. Improved consistency in supply has led to a growing appreciation of the stone’s verdant hues, with green Paraiba gaining traction as an increasingly recognized and celebrated choice. The full range of Paraiba’s colors are now visible to the world, adding depth and dimension to the gem’s allure and contributing to rising interest in green tones.
Several factors may be driving the recent surge of interest in green Paraiba. While the neon blues have captured the market for decades, the green variety holds a unique mystique. Its rich, glowing tones add an earthy yet exotic allure, offering collectors a rare gem that feels fresh and distinctive within the luxury world. Green Paraiba serves as a hidden treasure for those seeking something beyond the well-known blue, appealing to those who desire both rarity and newness.
Moreover, green gemstones have universal appeal due to their association with nature, tranquility, and growth. High-value green gems like emeralds have long held a prominent place in the luxury market, celebrated for their regal look and allure. Green Paraiba, with its neon glow and clarity, offers a modern twist on this classic appeal, making it a compelling choice for both collectors and jewelry enthusiasts. Additionally, green is often attributed with healing properties and metaphysical associations, believed to bring harmony and rejuvenation—a sentiment that resonates deeply with today’s consumers.
Green Paraiba also stands out because it offers a new perspective on the beloved Paraiba tourmaline. It maintains the same luminous quality as the blue variety but reveals a fresh, verdant spectrum that broadens the gemstone's appeal. Additionally, many collectors of Paraiba note that the green Paraiba tend to have better clarity than their blue counterparts. This phenomenon aligns with Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) colored gemstone clarity types: which places green paraiba tourmaline specifically in the cleanest category of color grades (Type 1).
With the exceptional quality of Mozambican Paraiba and the gemstone’s resurgence in popularity, Cuprian & Co. saw an ideal opportunity to bring renewed focus to this verdant variety. By launching a collaborative project ‘Paraiba’s Green Treasure - Designer Collaboration’ with a select group of independent jewelry designers, we spotlight the rarity and beauty of green Paraiba Tourmalines. Through this creative alliance, Cuprian & Co. is elevating awareness and appreciation for green Paraiba, offering collectors and customers a fresh perspective on one of the world’s most unique gemstones.
The collection curated by Cuprian & Co. showcases over 44 luxury pieces from 18 handpicked designers across cities like London, Sydney, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. With over 106 green Paraiba Tourmaline gemstones featured, totaling more than 157 carats, the collection offers a broad array of styles, colors, and price points. Each designer brings a distinctive approach, allowing the collection to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, from minimalist designs to bold, statement pieces. This diversity not only highlights the versatility of green Paraiba but also ensures that there is something for every type of jewelry lover within the collection.
One of the featured designers, Lorraine West, explains the appeal of green: “The human eye is more sensitive to green than any other color. Green sits at the center of the visible light spectrum, making it easy for our eyes to perceive.” West also draws on the natural world for inspiration, describing the green Paraiba as reminiscent of the first light at dawn when sunlight turns the sky and water vibrant. Her designs, like the Elevated Pear Paraiba Tourmaline Ring, embody this uplifting connection to nature, symbolizing optimism and new beginnings. The Horseshoe Paraiba Tourmaline Ring, another piece in her collection, captures hope and positivity, a reminder of the good fortune green Paraiba brings to its wearer.
Stephen Webster and his team have crafted pieces that incorporate a variety of green hues to showcase the stone’s diverse color palette. Webster, known for his mastery of bold, intricate designs, has created the Thorn Embrace Forbidden Fruit Paraiba Tourmaline Earrings, which celebrate a new era of modern romance. Webster’s dedication to the “thorn” motif shines through in these earrings, inspired by Hollywood glamor and reflecting his deep appreciation for the intense colors that copper-bearing tourmaline provides. This collection marks his admiration for green Paraiba as he expands his design repertoire with fresh, verdant tones.
In line with Cuprian & Co.’s vision to spotlight emerging talent, the collection includes Hiba Husayni, a Syrian-American designer and founder of ZAHN-Z. Based in New York City, Husayni’s fascination with jewelry began in childhood, inspired by her mother’s intricate pieces. Eager to work with Paraiba gemstones, she says, “The vibrant colors and unique character of Paraiba tourmalines have always captivated me. Collaborating with Cuprian & Co. allowed me to explore these incredible stones in a way that brings out their true beauty.”
For the collection, Husayni selected Paraiba with shades of Wintergreen and Kelly green, crafting designs that highlight their natural beauty. Her bold Big ZAHA Paraiba Tourmaline Bangle showcases an elongated cushion-cut Paraiba, while the double ZAHA pendant contrasts Wintergreen and Kelly hues, celebrating the spectrum of green Paraiba in her signature elegant style.
The collection captures the unlimited potential for growth in both value and appreciation of green Paraiba. The designers’ varied interpretations bring to life the gem’s inherent versatility and vibrant charm, establishing green Paraiba as a compelling choice for luxury jewelry. With its unique color spectrum and powerful aesthetic qualities, green Paraiba is poised to capture the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts, adding a new chapter to the legacy of Paraiba Tourmaline gemstones.