The Paraíba Tourmaline stone is a variant of a tourmaline crystal discovered in the 80s. It is characterized by great beauty, rarity and transparency, being one of the most expensive gems on the planet. This is because approximately for every 10,000 diamonds there is only one example of this Tourmaline.
Therefore it is a mineral that belongs to the group of silicates, specifically to boron-enriched cyclosilicates.
Since it is such a rare mineral, it is very difficult to find a stone with a quality greater than three carats. All this has made its economic cost higher than that of diamond, so not as accessible as other Tourmaline stones.
Mineralogical characteristics
The Paraíba is a gem that stands out for its dichroism, presenting a variable composition in its structure. It is made up of different minerals, which give it that appearance crystal clear with neon blue color. In any case, its structure is similar to that of other Tourmaline variants.
It has prismatic crystals and is found in granites, hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It is a rock belonging to trigonal crystal system, with system primary training, zero exfoliation Y vitreous luster. Finally, it has a hardness level on the Mohs scale of 7 to 7.5.
| Paraiba tourmaline | Properties and characteristics |
|---|---|
| chemical classification | boron silicate, cyclosilicate |
| Color | Light Blue, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Teal, Emerald Teal |
| Stripe | White when softer than striped plate. Colorless when harder than stripe plate. |
| Gloss | Vitreous |
| diaphanousness | Transparent to translucent to nearly opaque |
| cleavage | Indistinct |
| Mohs Hardness | 7 to 7.5 |
| specific gravity | 2.8 to 3.3 (varies with changes in chemical composition) |
| crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Applications | A popular gemstone and mineral specimen |
important deposits
The first discovery of this gem was made in Brazil, and it is there where its most important deposit is and where its name comes from. However, it is also possible to find it in Nigeria and Mozambique. Taking into account that there are few places in the world where this rock is seen, it is not so common in jewelry stores.
Meaning of the Paraíba Tourmaline stone
As with other variants of tourmalines, in a mineral that symbolizes peace. In fact, hundreds of people around the world turn to the stone to receive calming thoughts. It is believed to have a fairly high emotional or spiritual impact.
Actually, it is a rock considered of cleansing, purification and protection either intellectually or physically.
Properties
Different cultures have attributed properties and benefits to this mineral, despite the fact that it is not something with scientific verification. Be that as it may, it is said that it manages to transform emotions, providing positive thoughts that replace negative ones. In that case, it would be appropriate to eliminate grudges, bitterness and anger.
On the other hand, it is thought to promote awareness and generosity, as well as insight. Fosters intuition, reduces anger and oppression, enlivens the senses, and promotes stability. Finally, it is widely used for combat nerves and anxiety.
General uses of paraiba tourmaline
Its supposed esoteric properties make this stone widely used, especially by people with high purchasing power. It is also employed in aromatherapy to treat physical ailments. However, its most widespread use is in jewelry, even by the big world brands.
Some jewelry firms, such as Christian Dior, Klum, lorraine swartz Y Tiffany use these types of precious and semi-precious stones. It is possible to see rings, earrings, bracelets and a wide variety of garments with a fairly high economic value.
If you want to add a new specimen to your collection, this is an excellent alternative if you have enough money. In short, it is one of the rarest and most valuable products of nature in the world, with a beauty that is very difficult to match.