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Natural inorganic gem materials · Trade name: geographic / origin-linked name · Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Paraíba Tourmaline

A copper- and manganese-bearing blue to green Tourmaline variety, mostly elbaite or liddicoatite; the name comes from Paraíba in Brazil but does not prove origin. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.

Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.

Edited by JuneReviewed by RalphLast updated 2026-10-12Who maintains this page

Care and wear

What this page can answer

This page covers

What we cannot conclude

  • Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
  • Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
  • Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.

Material research: formation, causes and history

What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.

How it forms

Paraíba tourmaline denotes blue-to-green tourmaline coloured by copper, whose vivid blue-green hue comes from copper in the crystal lattice; analysed material is confirmed as cuprian elbaite, commonly also containing iron and manganese. It crystallises in the Brazilian state of Paraíba and other copper-bearing pegmatitic/hydrothermal settings; saturated blue-to-green Cu-bearing tourmaline has since also been found in Nigeria and Mozambique. Paraíba thus involves both a colour-cause definition (copper) and a geographic connotation (the Brazilian state of Paraíba), and the boundary between the two is the crux of the naming debate; some cuprian material can also be heated to achieve the preferred neon blue.

Scope: Applies at the level of a trade name for copper-coloured blue to green tourmaline; mineral species, origin and heating status must be supported by laboratory testing and documentation.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

Where it forms

Copper- and manganese-bearing pegmatitic/hydrothermal settings, crystallising blue-to-green Cu-bearing tourmaline

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

Copper-bearing pegmatites of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil; similar material is also known from Mozambique and Nigeria.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

How it forms, step by step

  1. Tourmaline crystallises from a copper- and manganese-rich melt/fluid

    Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

  2. Copper (Cu2+) enters the lattice as the principal colouring element and, with manganese, produces the blue-to-green hue

    Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

  3. Gem-quality crystals grow in Cu-bearing pegmatites in Brazil and Africa, sometimes containing native copper or tenorite inclusions

    Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

  4. Some cuprian material is heat-treated to reach the more vivid neon blue

    Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

Link to appearance

The blue-green hue is copper- (and manganese-) related; the name also carries an origin connotation, and neither colour nor name can substitute for species, origin and treatment testing.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +1

Timescale

The cited texts give no absolute age or growth duration for Cu-bearing tourmaline crystallisation.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007 +3

Related base materials

  • Tourmaline supergroup (typically elbaite / liddicoatite): Paraíba tourmaline is a commercial name for copper-coloured blue to green tourmaline; its parent material is usually elbaite, and less commonly liddicoatite

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.

Locality sketch mapLand outlines only; the map does not depict any national or regional boundary. Dots mark approximate positions. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).

Africa

South America

These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.

Causes of colour and optical effects

The blue-green colour of Paraíba tourmaline is copper-related; copper is the element contributing its prized colour, and analysed material is confirmed as cuprian elbaite.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Defines the copper colouring mechanism; a specimen's Cu content and species require testing.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Fall 1994

Other research findings

The name “Paraíba” originally refers to the Brazilian state of Paraíba; yet saturated blue-to-green Cu-bearing tourmaline also occurs in Nigeria and Mozambique, and standard gemological testing and semi-quantitative chemical data cannot distinguish them from the Brazilian material.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Frames the conflict between origin and colour-cause naming; origin assignment needs quantitative methods such as LA-ICP-MS.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006

There is a gem-testing method for Cu-bearing tourmaline: Vis-NIR absorption spectra can distinguish copper from iron as the colourant, with Cu2+ showing a strong band near 900–925 nm, usable as a screening tool.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A methodological finding for colourant screening; not equivalent to determining geographic origin.

Sources G&G Summer 2009

Some cuprian tourmaline may initially show colours other than classic neon blue, and can be heat-treated to reach the desirable highly saturated hue.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A market/treatment observation; heating must be disclosed and confirmed by a laboratory.

Sources G&G Spring 2025

Synthesis: the definition of Paraíba tourmaline simultaneously involves copper as the colourant and the geographic origin (the Brazilian state of Paraíba); the two threads do not fully coincide, so the name may denote Cu-coloured blue-green tourmaline and also carry an origin connotation; its use must be qualified and species, origin and treatment distinguished by testing and documentation.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A name-level synthesis, not a specimen-level conclusion; a given stone's species, origin and treatment must each be evidenced.

Sources GIA Tourmaline Description · G&G Spring 2006 · G&G Fall 2007

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • 'Paraíba' carries both colour-cause and origin meanings; origin and heating must be documented by a laboratory, not inferred from the name or colour.
  • The sources give no absolute age for Cu-bearing tourmaline crystallisation.

Methodology

Evidence grades

A
Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
B
Institutional educational material
C
Specialist databases or cautious readings

A statement is never graded above its strongest source.

This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.

DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments

Suggested listing name
Paraíba Tourmaline (confirmed by certificate)

GB/T 16552—2017 5.1.1 c), 5.1.2.1 b) · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.171 “Paraíba tourmaline”

Construction or treatment status

Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments recorded for this material: Heated / Heat-treated, Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material), Irradiated (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)

Related:Disclosure and cautions

This page cannot answer

Natural? · Origin · Price

A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.

Related:What this page can answer

Answer at a glance

"Paraíba Tourmaline" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Laboratory identification required before the name is used.

Evidence

  • CIBJO · 7.2.1.171

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Paraíba Tourmaline (confirmed by certificate)" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.

Known uncertainty

Last reviewed
2026-09-01

Trade-name ruling

  • Laboratory identification required before the name is used.
Suggested listing name
Paraíba Tourmaline (confirmed by certificate)

Care and wear

Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:

  • Handle it gently.
  • Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
  • Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
  • Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.

The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.

The item-by-item care advice that the GIA Care and Cleaning Guide gives for the whole class, and so for Paraíba Tourmaline, is set out in full under care on the Tourmaline entry.

Care

Paraíba Tourmaline — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
filling, fissure filling with oil, fissure filling with resin
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Paraíba Tourmaline — care (chemicals): Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code k

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
filling, fissure filling with oil, fissure filling with resin
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Common care questions and matching entries

CleaningCleaning Paraíba Tourmaline: limited to stones that are filled, oiled in fractures or resin-filled in fractures, with the treatment state treated, it must not be cleaned ultrasonically. ChemicalsChemicals and heat for Paraíba Tourmaline: limited to stones that are filled, oiled in fractures or resin-filled in fractures, with the treatment state treated, treatments with wax, plastic, resin, oil or dye are not permanent, so keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. CleaningThe cleaning, chemicals and heat conclusions all come from the CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022).

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

QuestionMatching entries
Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?care (cleaning)
Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicalsTreatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat

Treatments and identification leads

One row per treatment, with three standards side by side: how often it occurs and how stable it is (CIBJO), its category in GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (this site's paraphrase) and how the JJA/AGL 2025 table lists it. Each CIBJO value links to its entry under “Testing and market”, where the wording and source are given in full.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
Heating——Optimization——
Filling——Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1——
Dyeing——Treatment——
Irradiation——Treatment——
Coating——Treatment——
heating———heating—

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Tourmaline); JJA/AGL 2025

Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):

  • GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
  • CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15

What this table covers

What this page can give

  • Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
  • Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing

How lab reports word it

Paraíba Tourmaline — how lab reports word it (definition used on reports): Stones with only traces of copper, weak colour or colour outside the range, and iron-rich stones whose iron band dominates the copper band, do not get the name.

LMHC Information Sheet #6

Rule in the information sheet (original wording): is not called Paraiba tourmaline

Case
when the variety name may not be used
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — how lab reports word it (definition used on reports): The colour comes mainly from copper and manganese, whatever the origin; the range is blue, blue-green to green, and yellowish green, of medium or higher saturation.

LMHC Information Sheet #6

Definition in the information sheet (original wording): mainly due to the presence of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) of whatever geographical origin

Case
when the variety name may be used
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — how lab reports word it (identification line): reports use this line to explain the variety name; origin is optional, but where no origin determination is made, the report must say so.

LMHC Information Sheet #6

Wording on the report: Paraiba is a gem variety of tourmaline containing copper (Cu)

Case
when the variety name may be used
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — how lab reports word it (optional comments): a reminder that heating is common and not always detectable

LMHC Information Sheet #6

Wording on the report: Paraiba tourmaline is commonly heated.

Case
heating is common but may be undetectable
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Besides Paraíba Tourmaline, the name register records "Paraíba tourmaline", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded.

Chinese standard nameThe name Paraíba Tourmaline is not listed in GB/T 16552—2017; its GB/T naming counterpart is Tourmaline, based on the naming rules of GB/T 16552—2017. Trade and mineralogical namesThe trade name or synonym and English market name is Paraíba tourmaline, and the related high-risk Chinese name involves copper as the colouring agent, colour, and origin/naming rules. Recommended listing nameThe suggested listing name is Paraíba Tourmaline (confirmed by certificate). Names in four languagesThe four-language names are the Simplified and Traditional Chinese names, English Paraíba Tourmaline and the Japanese name; the Japanese name is the entry's own, and GSJ's wording for it is not yet verified. Institution usageFor authority wording, GIA, FTC and CIBJO record Paraíba Tourmaline, and Gem-A is unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position. The qualifiers stripped from the headline names are, for GIA, copper-bearing elbaite; for FTC, a geographic name that may refer to stones from outside Brazil; and for CIBJO, a reference to the Paraíba tourmaline naming note in LMHC Sheet 6. National standard namesGermany (RAL) uses Paraíba-Turmalin and the European Union Paraíba Tourmaline, noting that it is a geographic name with copper criteria.

Name register

Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

NameTypeMatchingUse as a nameBasis
no restriction recorded (1)
Paraíba tourmalineEnglishmarket namematched automaticallyno restriction recordededitorial ruling (no clause cited); Note: Related high-risk name “Paraiba Tourmaline”: the name involves copper as the colouring agent, the colour, and origin and naming rules.

How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
Paraíba Tourmaline (on record for GIA, FTC, CIBJO; Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
パライバトルマリン (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
GB/T naming counterpart (this name is not in the standard)
碧玺 (GB/T 16552—2017 §5.1.2.1 b))
Mineralogical name
Cu- and Mn-bearing blue-to-green tourmaline variety, typically elbaite or liddicoatite

Four-language names

简体中文
帕拉伊巴碧玺
繁體中文
帕拉伊巴碧璽
English
Paraíba Tourmaline
日本語
パライバトルマリン

National and regional formal names

Germany (RAL)
Paraíba-Turmalin
European Union
Paraíba Tourmaline (EU: geographic name with copper criterion)

Qualifiers stripped from the headline name

  • GIA: (copper-bearing elbaite)
  • FTC: (geographic name; may originate outside Brazil)
  • CIBJO: (LMHC Sheet 6: Paraíba tourmaline nomenclature)

See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index

Classification

Origin
Natural materials
Material domain
Natural inorganic gem materials
Browsing family
Tourmaline-supergroup minerals and gem varieties
Identity tier
Trade name: geographic / origin-linked name
Mineral chemical class
Silicates
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments listed by standards

GB/T Table B.1For Paraíba Tourmaline, the Tourmaline row of Table B.1 in Annex B of GB/T 16552—2017 lists heating, in the category optimization; filling, listed by grade, with each grade defined on the Gem treatments page; and dyeing, irradiation and coating, all in the category treatment. For what Table B.1 is, see the Gem treatments page. JJA/AGL designationsThe table of principal gem names in the November 2025 revision of the JJA/AGL (Japan) definitions and nomenclature of gems and ornamental materials lists Tourmaline under the species tourmaline, with colour blue to green (copper), heating recorded as heat treatment, and a separate no-treatment grade in the table; a note states that the alternative name Paraiba Tourmaline may be used only in analysis reports.

GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1

Under the “Tourmaline” row of Table B.1: Heating Optimization; Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1; Dyeing Treatment; Irradiation Treatment; Coating Treatment. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Tourmaline page.

What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.

JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Gem nameSpeciesColourListed in the tableNotes
[colour] TourmalineTourmalineblue to green (copper)an untreated tier is listed; heating (Heated / Heat-treated)also called Paraíba tourmaline — only permitted in an analysis report

JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.15

How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.

What it is and how it's identified

The registered material facts for Paraíba Tourmaline are mostly taken from the cited clauses for tourmaline (the whole mineral group), not data measured on Paraíba tourmaline alone. Under the tourmaline (whole mineral group) clauses, Paraíba tourmaline is crystalline and trigonal, with Mohs hardness 7–8 and no cleavage; density 2.46–3.26 g/cm³ is derived from the cited clause value of 3.06 with an allowed deviation of +0.20/−0.60; optically anisotropic, uniaxial, negative; refractive index 1.615–1.655 is derived from the cited clause value of 1.624–1.644 with an allowed deviation of +0.011/−0.009; birefringence is 0.018–0.04, this site noting that the clause also has finer sub-ranges and the overall value is taken. Under the tourmaline (whole mineral group) clauses, untreated Paraíba tourmaline shows moderate to strong pleochroism, in darker and lighter shades of the body colour, and a vitreous lustre.

Registered material facts

Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

Luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for tourmaline (the whole mineral group), so they are not repeated on the Paraíba Tourmaline page; see the material facts on the Tourmaline entry.

Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Paraíba Tourmaline (how to read class-level values).

Structure

Paraíba Tourmaline — structure (overall): crystalline

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — structure (crystal system): trigonal

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — structure (crystal habit): rounded trigonal prisms or more complex ditrigonal prism-and-pyramid combinations; the crystal faces are distinctly striated lengthwise.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Durability

Paraíba Tourmaline — Mohs hardness: 7–8

GB/T 16553—2017

123456789107–8References (diamond = value, bar = range; below)

Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))

Mohs hardnessSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Paraíba Tourmaline — cleavage: none

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Physical properties

Paraíba Tourmaline — density: 2.46–3.26 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

0.51.52.53.54.55.56.57.52.46–3.26
Specific gravitySource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 3.06, with a stated tolerance of +0.20 / -0.60. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Optical

Optical effects on record: chatoyancyrepresentative example: cause in Tiger’s Eye (schematic)colour change

Paraíba Tourmaline — optic character: uniaxial, optically negative (anisotropic)

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — refractive index: 1.615–1.655

GB/T 16553—2017

1.31.72.12.52.93.31.615–1.655
Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 1.624–1.644, with a stated tolerance of +0.011 / -0.009. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Paraíba Tourmaline — birefringence: 0.018–0.04

GB/T 16553—2017

00.050.10.150.20.250.30.018–0.04
BirefringenceSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
General note
the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Paraíba Tourmaline — pleochroism: moderate to strong, in lighter and deeper shades of the body colour.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — optical effect (colour change): seen; rare

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Paraíba Tourmaline — body colour: Paraíba is a gem variety of tourmaline containing copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). It shows a (violet) blue, bluish green to greenish blue, green (or yellowish green) colour, of medium-light tone and high saturation.

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
untreated
Qualification

In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Green Sapphire, Sapphire, Tanzanite and other entries also name blue or a bluish colour.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26
CIBJO definitions
chatoyancy, colour change

Quality factors

Paraíba Tourmaline — quality factor (lustre): vitreous

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
tourmaline (the whole mineral group)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

1.61.611.621.631.641.652.72.82.933.1Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Paraíba Tourmaline

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.635 / 2.86; Closest values: 1Prehnite 1.625 / 2.88, 2Larimar 1.62 / 2.82, 3Datolite 1.646 / 2.95, 4Danburite 1.633 / 3, 5Sugilite 1.61 / 2.77

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)1.41.51.61.71.81.922.12.22.32.41234567Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Paraíba Tourmaline

Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22

Refractive index × specific gravity (all registered materials)Each dot is one material's registered refractive index and specific gravity (range midpoints, not measurements); gold = this material, dark = the nearest few (picked on this site by distance in RI ÷ 0.02 and SG ÷ 0.1, leaving out near-identical varieties of the same species)Source: each material's registered refractive index and specific gravity facts (GB/T 16553 and others; sources on each entry)

Testing and market

The CIBJO laboratory protocol covers Paraíba Tourmaline under “Tourmaline” (§6.1.86): see identification on the Tourmaline entry; the required tests are listed on the CIBJO laboratory protocol table for Tourmaline.

How far testing can go

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Clause-level definitions

Paraíba Tourmaline is defined directly in CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under the entry name Paraíba tourmaline; the definition is given in the hierarchy of mineral group tourmaline, mineral species elbaite and liddicoatite, and mineral/gem variety Paraíba tourmaline, with the CIBJO wording quoted in full under Clause-level definitions on this page. The cross-check result is registered as defined directly by CIBJO, with no identically named English entry found in the GB/T annex.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TermClauseDefinitionCross-check
Paraíba tourmaline7.2.1.171Paraíba is a gem variety of tourmaline containing copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). It shows a (violet) blue, bluish green to greenish blue, green (or yellowish green) colour, of medium-light tone and high saturation. The variety name is derived from the Brazilian locality Paraíba where this gemstone was first mined, however today it may come from a number of localitiesDefined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex.

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Not listed the name does not occur anywhere in the text; scope: Chapter 1 “Scope” · Source
GB/T 16552—2017
Naming rule 5.1.1 c) · Source
GB/T 16552—2017
Naming rule 5.1.2.1 b) · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.171 “Paraíba tourmaline” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related pages

Treatments recorded for this material

Related entries and topic cluster

Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.

Related-entry tree for Tourmaline on this site: 12 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Paraíba Tourmaline) is marked.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyTourmaline-supergroup minerals and gem varietiesLive
Treatments recorded for this materialHeated / Heat-treated, Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material), Irradiated (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)Live
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Paraíba Tourmaline entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.

Facts editor
June
Reviewer
Ralph
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-21 and 2026-09-26
Last revised
2026-10-12
Purpose
Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

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