Paraiba colour tourmaline is one of a rare variety of Tourmaline minerals and gemstones. Heitor Dimas Barbosa discovered this splendid colour tourmaline in 1980s. He kept on digging in mountains of Paraíba, a Brazilian State. Neon bright Paraiba tourmaline attracted him a lot. It can be said that he is the first among all who found this lovely gemstone.
What Makes Paraiba Tourmaline different from another tourmaline?
Obviously, it is the sparkling neon blue colour that makes Paraiba tourmaline different than others. Paraiba tourmaline comes in many different colours such as blue, greenish blue, neon blue, green.
How can we Identify Paraiba Tourmaline?
Paraíba is first recognized by its different colour. But technically, trace element of copper gives it unique neon colour. The presence of copper will mark the tourmaline as Pariaba. Paraiba like colour is found in Afghanistan also. However, it lakes copper element which does not prove it Paraiba like technically. But if there exist, copper, it will be called Paraiba like. Paraíba is the name of the state. As copper including tourmaline was first discovered in Pariaba so it got its name popularity as Paraiba Tourmaline.
Some Paraiba like tourmaline minerals and gemstones are found in African regions of Nigeria and Mozambique also having same chemical properties which Brazilian Paraiba have. With colour difference of greenish blue. People started selling it by giving the trade name Pariaba like Brazilian tourmaline. Paraiba is state name of Brazil so people are confused what to give a name to the tourmaline.
Similar is the case with Afghanistan tourmaline.
Information about aPriaba Tourmaline
Pariaba colour tourmaline is found in USA, Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozzambique, East Africa, Madagascar.
Its colours are Neon Blue, Electric Blue, Electric Green, Vivid Green, Bluish Green, Vivid Blue.
Its chemical composition is (NaCa)(LI,MgFe,Al)9B3Si6(O,OH)31.
Its hardness is 7 to 7.5
Its crystal structure is Triagonal.
Its density is 3.06 (.05, +.15).
Its Refrective Index is 1.624(+.005, -.005) - 1.644(+.006, -.006)
Read here how gemstones get their specific colours? http://www.geogemsmineralclub.com/2017/07/12/how-gemstones-get-their-specific-colours/