Design Details

Moonstone, Paraíba-Type Tourmaline, Paraíba Tourmaline & Diamond Pendant
Platinum
1 Moonstone P/S 8.12 ct. - Natural
1 Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Oval 0.46 ct. (5.9x4.6mm) - Heated
30 Paraíba Tourmaline Rd 0.37 ctw. (1.0-2.1mm) - Heated
52 Diamond Rd 0.95 ctw. (F+/VS+)
On 18" Platinum Cable Chain (1.5mm)

Unique Design Traits

The moonstone at the center of this pendant is complimented with a halo of bright, electric Paraíba tourmaline that altogether create a unique and eye-catching design.

The wave design that can be seen from the pendant's profile is a special detail highlighting exceptional craftsmanship.

The moonstone is plated in metal underneath helping to display the billowing adularescence (blue sheen/glow) of the moonstone.

Due to the rarity of copper-bearing tourmaline, inclusions can be expected, however, the well-cut and well-saturated stones display fine clarity and brilliance.

First Place Winner of the 2021 AGTA Spectrum Awards "Business/Day Wear" category.

Gemstone Details

Moonstone

A member of the feldspar group, orthoclase, moonstone is known for its distinct sheen under certain lighting conditions called adularescence. Its name is owed to this phenomenon, the blue sheen is said to resemble the glow of the moon. Adularescence is a result of a natural growth pattern of alternating layers of feldspar minerals, orthoclase and albite. This layering causes an interference of light as it enters the stone, reflecting back as the sheen beloved in moonstones, making them appear to glow from within. 

Legends say the stone provides good luck, Hindu legend believes it was formed by moonbeams, and in Arab countries, women historically sewed moonstones into their garments to promote fertility. Properties often associated with the moon have been applied to this gemstone, such as romance, femininity, intuition, dreams and love. Long been a favored gemstone in jewelry, designers of the romantic Art Nouveau era, such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany, heavily featured moonstone. 

Like most gemstones, the most prized moonstones contain no visible inclusions; they will also have a colorless, semitransparent to nearly transparent body color with strong vivid adularescence. 

Moonstone is one of the birthstones for June.

Paraíba-Type/Cuprian Elbaite Tourmaline & Paraíba 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.