ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

The Paraiba tourmaline has become the gemstone du jour, a stunning showcase of electric blue and green capturing the hearts of their wearers. But what exactly is it about these vibrant gems that has caught the world's attention?

- MINDY TEH

Behold the Paraiba tourmaline! The gemstone du jour taking the ever-evolving world of high jewellery by storm is one with an allure that lies in both rarity and exceptional colour, its unmistakable neon blue and green possessing the unique ability to catch and hold the light, reflecting an otherworldly fire.

"No other gemstone possesses this striking, vibrant hue," says Katerina Perez, co-author of Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color. "The rarity of these stones adds to their desirability since they are mined only in three locations worldwide."

"What fuels their popularity is not just the stone's beauty but also its exclusivity. For a tourmaline to be classified as Paraiba, it needs to contain two minerals: copper and manganese," says Simone Ng, founder and executive creative director of Simone Jewels.

"When discussing Paraiba tourmalines with clients, I always emphasise that while Brazil is the birthplace of these gemstones, high-quality Paraibas are also found in Mozambique and Nigeria," she says, naming the three locations mentioned by Perez.

"The Brazilian stones are known for their intense neon blue while those from Mozambique and Nigeria often display a broader range of colours, from intense neon blue to greenish-blue and even red," Ng elaborates.

"While Brazilian Paraibas tend to command a premium price, stones from Mozambique and Nigeria can also be of exceptional quality, offering a beautiful and sometimes more accessible alternative. I often tell my clients that country of origin does not matter. The stone should be assessed based on its own merits."

DAZZLING DISCOVERY