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Paraíba Tourmaline
A variety of 'Copper-bearing Elbaite' [Elbaite]
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About Paraíba Tourmaline
Formula:
Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Name:
After the original source - Paraíba, Brazil.
An electrifying blue-to-green coloured, gemmy, variety of copper-bearing elbaite or copper-bearing liddicoatite.
In mineralogical terms, Paraíba Tourmaline should refer only to tourmaline from the original source, Paraíba, Brazil.
However, the name has an extended use through the gem trade to include similar electric-blue tourmalines (where the colour is caused by trace copper) from other sources in Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, etc.
Note: Some stones, on TV shopping channels for example, have been labelled as Paraíba Tourmaline, but appear on screen to be ordinary green tourmaline. This may simply be a problem with the reproduction of the colour over TV, but buyers should beware, only tourmaline with a genuine electric blue or blue-green colour should with any honesty be called by this name.
For references, see copper-bearing elbaite and copper-bearing liddicoatite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Paraíba Tourmaline.
In mineralogical terms, Paraíba Tourmaline should refer only to tourmaline from the original source, Paraíba, Brazil.
However, the name has an extended use through the gem trade to include similar electric-blue tourmalines (where the colour is caused by trace copper) from other sources in Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, etc.
Note: Some stones, on TV shopping channels for example, have been labelled as Paraíba Tourmaline, but appear on screen to be ordinary green tourmaline. This may simply be a problem with the reproduction of the colour over TV, but buyers should beware, only tourmaline with a genuine electric blue or blue-green colour should with any honesty be called by this name.
For references, see copper-bearing elbaite and copper-bearing liddicoatite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Paraíba Tourmaline.Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Paraiba Tourmaline
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
29238 (as Paraíba Tourmaline)
1364 (as Elbaite)
1364 (as Elbaite)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:29238:8 (as Paraíba Tourmaline)
mindat:1:1:1364:8 (as Elbaite)
mindat:1:1:1364:8 (as Elbaite)
Similar Names
| Paraiba Tourmaline | A synonym of 'Copper-bearing Elbaite' |
Pronunciation of Paraíba Tourmaline
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Chemistry of Paraíba Tourmaline
Mindat Formula:
Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Element Weights:
Other Language Names for Paraíba Tourmaline
German:Paraíba-Turmalin
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Paraíba Tourmaline
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-29238.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Paraíba Tourmaline
Reference List:
Shigley, James E., Cook, Brian C., Laurs, Brendan M., Bernardes, Marcelo de Oliveira (2001) An Update on "Paraíba" Tourmaline from Brazil. Gems & Gemology, 37 (4) 260-276 doi:10.5741/gems.37.4.260
SUGIYAMA, Kazumasa, ARIMA, Hiroshi, KONNO, Hayato, MIKOUCHI, Takashi (2017) XAFS study on the location of Cu and Mn in a greenish blue elbaite from Alto dos Quntos [sic] mine, Brazil. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 112 (4). 139-146 doi:10.2465/jmps.161011
Katsurada, Yusuke, Sun, Ziyin (2017) Cuprian Liddicoatite Tourmaline. Gems & Gemology, 53 (1). 34-41 doi:10.5741/gems.53.1.34
Katsurada, Yusuke; Sun, Ziyin; Breeding, Christopher M.; Dutrow, Barbara L. (2019) Geographic Origin Determination of Paraiba Tourmaline. Gems & Gemology, 55 (4). 648-659 doi:10.5741/gems.55.4.648
Pasetti, Lorenzo, Borromeo, Laura, Bersani, Danilo, Andò, Sergio, Schnellrath, Jurgen, Hennebois, Ugo, Karampelas, Stefanos (2024) Identification of Some Gem Quality Blue to Green Li-Tourmalines. Minerals, 14 (1). 44 doi:10.3390/min14010044
Dutrow, Barbara L., McMillan, Nancy J., Henry, Darrell J. (2024) A multivariate statistical approach for mineral geographic provenance determination using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and electron microprobe chemical data: A case study of copper-bearing tourmalines. American Mineralogist, 109 (6) 1085-1095 doi:10.2138/am-2023-9164
Localities for Paraíba Tourmaline
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil | |
| Bermanec et al. (2005) +2 other references |
| Fernandes et al. (2022) | |
Ethiopia | |
| Karampelas et al. (2026) |
Mozambique | |
| Wang +6 other references |
Heitorita mine, São José da Batalha, Salgadinho, Paraíba, Brazil