This article first appeared in the GEMSWORLD 2025.

The discovery of Paraiba tourmaline in Paraíba, Brazil in the late 1980s revolutionised the jewellery and gemstone trade. Prized for its electric neon blues and greens, Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline has a unique copper content that gives the beloved gemstone unparalleled brilliance and colour.

Also found in Nigeria and Mozambique, Paraiba tourmaline comes in a variety of colours, including vivid purple, but demand is highest for vibrant blues.

Constantin Wild, managing director of gem specialist Constantin Wild GmbH & Co KG, said it took about two years for demand for Paraiba tourmaline to strengthen after its market launch. “Supply soon ran out due to a surge in demand,” he explained.

Today, the market is largely dominated by Mozambique Paraiba tourmaline, but majority are low-quality, light-coloured stones with heavy inclusions, according to Wild. Premium gems from this region with rich colour saturation and no inclusions are harder to find. On the other hand, Brazilian production remains “very limited” amid significantly higher demand, he continued.

With virtually zero production in Brazil, supply is even more constrained while prices continue to rise. Dealers have had to adapt and turn to African sources. And the situation is unlikely to change, Wild stated.

Sarbudeen Imamali, director of Bangkok-based Madagas Gems Co Ltd, which specialises in Mozambique Paraiba tourmaline, said Nigerian mines produce top-quality stones that are increasingly recognised in the market, attracting new buyers and boosting overall demand for the gemstone.

“This diversification in origin is shaping the future of the market as customers are eager to explore unique and high-quality stones from different regions,” added Imamali.

Preference for Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline, however, remains strong. “Due to higher prices of Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline, many are shifting to the Mozambique variant. Interestingly, even Mozambique gems are becoming more expensive and harder to source,” Wild remarked.

Soaring prices

Paraiba tourmaline is also favoured for its value. Temur Ansari of Noor Gems in Hong Kong attributed current price increases to limited supply from the mines. “While demand is soaring, production cannot keep up. The quality of the stones found is not as high as it is harder to find clean gems in fine colours,” he added.

According to Wild, Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline was considerably more expensive than its Mozambique counterparts but this is no longer the case. “We have seen a significant hike in prices of Mozambique stones, similar to what happened with Brazilian gems. Prices of Mozambique Paraiba tourmalines have been rising by about 10 per cent each year,” noted Wild, a fact he attributed to the limited supply of quality stones.

For his part, Imamali revealed that top-quality Mozambique stones currently sell for US$30,000 to US$35,000 per carat while those with more inclusions or with less desirable colours fetch US$10,000 per carat. The market for Mozambique Paraiba tourmaline has also been gaining ground, led by the US and Europe. The only deterrent is high price and low supply.

Emerging markets, Asia especially, are likewise showing heightened interest, driving stronger competition and prices. Imamali said, “There are also more Chinese buyers now, further contributing to rapid growth.”

Meanwhile, Ansari said the popularity of Paraiba tourmaline is undeniable and as such, prices have been consistently rising over the past decade. In fact, prices have nearly doubled over the past three years alone, he added.

A clean, high-quality 1-carat Mozambique Paraiba tourmaline could command between US$10,000 and US$15,000 a carat while a Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline with similar qualities could fetch as much as US$30,000 to US$100,000 per carat, depending on the quality and colour, revealed Ansari. While colour and tone are important, origin remains a primary consideration for buyers, he noted.

Buyer preferences

Historically, Europe and China were the top buyers of Paraiba tourmaline but there has been a shift in customer base over the years, remarked Imamali.

“Awareness of the gemstone’s exceptional beauty has widened, with collectors, jewellers and investors from all corners of the world showing keen interest,” he noted. “The US, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets, in particular, are major buyers.” This broader appeal reflects both the growing accessibility of information about rare gemstones and the rising demand for luxurious, one-of-a-kind items in an increasingly interconnected and discerning global market.

According to Wild, consumers tend to gravitate towards all shades, but certain colours like vivid neon blues or greens are more sought after. He added, “We sell to Europe, Asia, North and South America, and the Middle East. The market for Paraiba tourmaline is highly global.”

For his part, Ansari of Noor Gems said he has a rare selection of bi-coloured Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil, whose natural colours are expected to attract US and Japanese clients. Noor Gems supplies Paraiba tourmaline to China and Japan as well as several European jewellery maisons. India is also slowly developing a taste for the stone, particularly for rounds under 1 carat up to 100 carats, shared Ansari. Popular cuts are oval and pear, he added.

Imamali’s customers seek brilliant cuts as this style maximises the stone's natural brilliance and vibrant colour. “Majority of our buyers prefer larger gem-quality stones, typically above 5 carats, due to their rarity and visual impact. The most sought-after colour is the striking neon blue-green, which gives Paraiba tourmaline its signature vivid appearance,” explained Imamali.

Challenges and opportunities

The Paraiba tourmaline market is increasingly influenced by growing demand for unique, premium coloured gems. The rising popularity of bespoke and distinctive jewellery is also boosting demand for such stones, which are often set in high jewellery collections or purchased as investment pieces.

A major challenge was the economic downturn in China, which disrupted business operations and made transactions more difficult. Ansari said, “During and after the Covid-19 period, Chinese buyers were focused on Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline, with some interest in Mozambique stones. As a result of the slowdown in China, demand also weakened. They may have overbought previously or perhaps there is some market correction.”

Joao Pedro Radaeli, CEO of Radaeli Gems in Brazil, also noted a drop in business activity in Brazil. With limited production, dealers are buying less and making an effort to acquire gems when available. “We buy both rough and cut gemstones, but obtaining rough stones from Africa or Brazil can be challenging because of reduced production. Output is unpredictable, but when we do find goods, we try to secure purchases to keep the business running smoothly,” shared Radaeli.