Gemstone profile and identification guide
Paraiba Tourmaline
Paraiba Tourmaline profile is under factual gemological review. Properties shown here are provisional unless marked as verified.
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Overview
Paraiba Tourmaline profile is under factual gemological review. Properties shown here are provisional unless marked as verified.
Did you know? Paraiba Tourmaline is commonly associated with material from Brazil, though the broader trade may draw on multiple localities.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Paraiba Tourmaline
Scientific classification: Cyclosilicate (Tourmaline Group)
Hardness: 7.25 Mohs
Transparency: transparent
Lustre: vitreous
Crystal system: Trigonal
Primary colour: Aqua
Secondary colour: Blue
Colour family: Blues & Cyans
Start with hardness, lustre, and transparency: Paraiba Tourmaline is recorded here as 7 on the Mohs scale with vitreous lustre and transparent transparency. The interaction between aqua and blue tones is more useful than the primary colour alone when comparing candidates. Useful side-by-side comparisons include Tourmaline, Pink Tourmaline, Green Tourmaline.
Verification Status
Status: verified-family-derived
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity fields inherited from verified parent profile: tourmaline.
Paraiba tourmaline profile inherits tourmaline core identity fields.
Variety-level locality and treatment specifics can differ and should be reviewed before publication-grade claims.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: medium
Hardness value: 7.25 Mohs
Chemical composition: Complex borosilicate group (variable species chemistry)
Crystal system: Trigonal
Common locations: Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Paraiba Tourmaline sits in the blues & cyans grouping here, usually reading first as aqua with blue appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
Optical effects: Pleochroism
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Tourmaline group
Mineral group: Tourmaline group
Chemical formula: Complex borosilicate group (variable species chemistry)
Mohs hardness: 7.25
Crystal system: Trigonal
Lustre: vitreous
Transparency: transparent
Streak: White
Cleavage: Indistinct
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Specific gravity: 3.00-3.20
Refractive index: 1.61-1.65
Optical phenomena: Pleochroism
Colour range: Aqua, Blue, Cyan / Blue-Green, Green, Pink
Common inclusions: Growth tubes, liquid inclusions, and color-zoning features
Geological environment: Paraiba Tourmaline occurs in Boron-rich granitic pegmatites and associated hydrothermal systems. Its Trigonal structure reflects the pressure-temperature conditions of those host rocks, with notable occurrences in Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar.
Principal mining regions: Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar
Important commercial sources: Commercial gem tourmaline is supplied mainly by Brazil and East Africa, with Afghanistan important for some varieties
Historical significance: Tourmaline has become a cornerstone of modern colored-gem trade due to wide color diversity.
Common treatments: Heat treatment is used for some colors; other treatments vary by variety and source lot.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Glass and assembled imitations exist; synthetic true tourmaline is not common in jewelry trade.
Common look-alikes: tourmaline, pink tourmaline, green tourmaline
Jewellery uses: Paraiba Tourmaline is used chiefly for Often best in pendants, earrings, collector cuts, and occasional-wear rings that showcase colour without unnecessary risk.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 7.25 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Care recommendations: Paraiba Tourmaline should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 7.25 in the Trigonal system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Store separately from harder gems to minimise abrasion and edge wear.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Paraiba Tourmaline.
Formation
Paraiba Tourmaline is a Tourmaline group material with chemistry Complex borosilicate group (variable species chemistry). It develops in Boron-rich granitic pegmatites and associated hydrothermal systems, and economically significant production is associated with Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar.
Origin
Commercial gem tourmaline is supplied mainly by Brazil and East Africa, with Afghanistan important for some varieties
Uses
Best for: Paraiba Tourmaline is used chiefly for Often best in pendants, earrings, collector cuts, and occasional-wear rings that showcase colour without unnecessary risk.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 7.25 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Ideal uses: Often best in pendants, earrings, collector cuts, and occasional-wear rings that showcase colour without unnecessary risk.
Care
Paraiba Tourmaline should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 7.25 in the Trigonal system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Store separately from harder gems to minimise abrasion and edge wear.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Related gemstones by colour
Related gemstones by hardness
Gemstones from the same mineral family
Commonly confused gemstones
Paraiba Tourmaline FAQ
How can I identify Paraiba Tourmaline?
Compare hardness (7.25 Mohs), crystal system (Trigonal), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Paraiba Tourmaline appear in?
Paraiba Tourmaline sits in the blues & cyans grouping here, usually reading first as aqua with blue appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
Where is Paraiba Tourmaline commonly used?
Often best in pendants, earrings, collector cuts, and occasional-wear rings that showcase colour without unnecessary risk.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: tourmaline.
Gem-A: gemological education and terminology (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: tourmaline.
Mindat: mineral species and locality index (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: tourmaline.
International Gem Society: collector-facing gem reference (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: tourmaline.