Unique Design Traits

The combination of blue tourmaline with Paraíba-type tourmaline create a complimentary look in these drop earrings that is truly one-of-a-kind.

The design incorporates square-cut blue tourmalines inbetween each pear-shape to match the tone of the blue tourmalines. 

The center blue tourmalines are surrounded by a halo of Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline accenting the colors, creating a larger look.

Bright electric color is a desirable shade for Paraíba & Paraíba-type tourmaline. 

Winner of the 2024 JCK Jewelers' Choice Awards, 1st place -Best Earring Design and Editors’ Award for Best Earring Design.

Gemstone Details

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a gemstone that comes in a seemingly endless variety of shades and colors and in fact can occur in almost every hue. Many colors have inspired their own trade names, such as the pink, red, purplish red and orangish red tourmalines known as ‘rubellite’, while dark blues, violetish blues and greenish blues are referred to as ‘indicolite’. The vivid green shade of tourmaline is known as ‘chrome’ although its color is usually attributed to vanadium, not chromium. Parti-color and watermelon tourmaline will display multiple color-blocked hues. 

First reportedly discovered in the 1500s by Spanish explorers in Brazil but mistaken for emerald; it took until the 1800s for scientists to distinguish it as the green variety of tourmaline. Its name even reflects this confusion, derived from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means ‘mixed gems’. For centuries tourmalines have adorned the jewels of royalty. The Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi, the last empress of China, valued the rich pink colors above all other gemstones. 

Recent discoveries of new hues in Brazil have propelled tourmalines’ popularity among gem and jewelry lovers, particularly the vivid blue of Paraíba tourmaline. Tourmaline is one of the few gems to be mined in the United States, with significant deposits found in Southern California. 

Tourmaline is a birthstone for October and the gem of the eighth anniversary.

Paraíba-Type Tourmaline

Copper-bearing tourmaline, more often recognized by the name Paraíba, is technically named cuprian elbaite tourmaline. As a trace element, copper is responsible for the intense neon blue hues that make Paraíba and Paraíba-type tourmalines so desirable. A stone is considered a Paraíba tourmaline if it is mined in the specific region in Paraíba, Brazil where the stone was first discovered in the 1980’s. The allure of this magnificent stone from the moment of its discovery saw demand far surpass supply. Thanks to more recent discoveries of deposits in Nigeria and Mozambique, supply has increased for this unique stone, but fine material over a carat remains extremely rare. Stones mined in Mozambique, Nigeria or anywhere else in the world besides Paraíba are thus referred to as Paraíba-type tourmalines. From the moment this stone was discovered, its unique color captivated gem collectors and jewelry lovers around the world. 

Demand has remained high with the addition of new sources; no other color tourmaline has ever commanded the prices of fine cuprian elbaite tourmaline. The range of color in the stone can appear greenish blue, bluish green, green, blue and violet. Color is perhaps the most important variable when comparing these stones, all other things being equal. Inclusions are to be expected and forgiven when judging fine stones, as long as saturation of color and brightness remain strong. 

Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and the gift for the eighth wedding anniversary. 

Paraíba Tourmaline

Neon blue copper-bearing tourmaline was discovered in the hills of the Brazilian state of Paraíba, in the late 1980's. Various gemological laboratories performed testing on the new material and discovered that it was a natural elbaite tourmaline. Elbaite is generally achromatic, which means the crystals are colorless unless there are trace elements present in the chemical formula. In the case of Paraíba tourmaline, the crystals contain trace amounts of copper, which give the gemstones their unique and vibrant color and the reference of cuprian, which stands for copper-bearing. This variety of tourmaline was officially named "Paraíba tourmaline" after the state in Brazil in which it was discovered.

Their rarity is unmatched, as there is only one Paraíba tourmaline mined in Brazil for every 10,000 diamonds, and a fine quality Paraíba over three carats is virtually unheard of. A point to keep in mind is that copper bearing tourmalines have been mined in Mozambique, Nigeria and other localities, however, they are referred to as Paraíba-type tourmalines, because a true Paraíba tourmaline can only come from Brazil, making it all the more rare.

Color is perhaps the most important variable when comparing these stones, all other things being equal. Inclusions are to be expected and forgiven when judging fine stones, as long as saturation of color and brightness remain strong. Nearly every other shade of tourmaline is found in Brazil, however none has the vivid glow that distinguishes the Paraíba tourmaline. Colors ranging from bright turquoise to majestic blue-green to “windex” blue, it’s the incandescent glow that appears to light up the stone from within that makes Paraíba tourmalines incomparable to any other gemstone.

Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and the gift for the eighth wedding anniversary. 

Design Details

Blue Tourmaline, Paraíba-Type Tourmaline, Paraíba Tourmaline & Diamond Earrings 
Platinum
2 Blue Tourmaline Pear-Shape 4.52 ctw. (16.50x6.00mm) - Heated
2 Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Pear-Shape 1.94 ctw. (8.80x4.30mm) - Heated, Mozambique
2 Blue Tourmaline Square-Cut 0.57 ctw. (4.00mm) - Heated
64 Paraíba Tourmaline Round 0.47 ctw. - Heated, Brazil
50 Diamond Round 0.36 ctw. - (E-F/VS+)