Recomended Paraiba Tormaline Web Site:
Paraiba Tourmaline Dealers
www.Jewelry-Industry-Guide.com
(we used thier paraiba tourmaline guide to create this article)
As in the case of diamonds, a Paraiba tourmaline gemstones is also evaluated according to the “Four Cs”, which stand for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The key to the Paraiba’s popularity is it is colored, which can only be described as “neon blue”.
Most people assume that the better stone in gemstones is the one with the darker color. In reality, however, some gemstones can have a color that is too dark, like in the case of some sapphires that give off a color that is more black than, say, blue. A darker color actually makes a gemstone look lifeless and subdued. Throughout the jewelry industry, and across all gemstones varieties, an intense basic color like the Paraiba tourmaline’s blue, is the most preferred.
Clarity refers to the presence or non-presence of inclusions in the gemstones. In the case of the Paraiba tourmalines, its inclusions are what make up for its vivid quality. Scientists have found that the different colors of the Paraiba can be attributed to the different proportions of iron, manganese, chrome, and vanadium within each stone.
The copper content of the Paraiba is what accounts for its glow. A Paraiba gemstone with a high copper concentration results in a radiant blue, turquoise or green color. On the other hand, a high manganese concentration results in a violet or red Paraiba stone. However, gemstone cutters are able to eliminate the red color in a Paraiba stone through a careful burning technique.
A good cut cannot add to the price of a Paraiba stone, but it can certainly add to its beauty. A well-cut and faceted gemstone typically reflects light back evenly across its surface when held face up, thus making it glow.
Like other gemstones, Paraiba tourmalines are not sold by size, but are rather sold by weight. The Price for Paraiba tourmalines is also affected by its carat weight – the larger Paraiba tourmaline stones are usually sold at a higher price per carat because they are more rare than the smaller stones.
