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July 30, 2024

The Edit: Paraiba Tourmalines

T
he discovery of Paraiba Tourmalines in Paraiba, Brazil in 1989 created a buzz throughout the jewelry world; years of speculative mining had finally paid off! Additional deposits were subsequently found in the neighboring Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, and later, Elbaite tourmalines featuring Paraiba’s unique color were discovered in Nigeria and Mozambique. Mined in only a handful of locations, the scarcity of these majestic gemstones has always contributed to their allure, and today, acquiring a really intensely colored Paraiba is becoming increasingly difficult. According to a July 18 story in Financial Times, “Experts now warn that the depletion of mines in Brazil over the past decade has led to a shortage of quality Paraíbas.”

Header image features earrings by Ara Vartanian 

COUTURE designers and brands have been inspired by the electric (and electrifying!) blue hue of Paraiba Tourmalines for decades.

Arunashi

Image courtesy of Simone Jewels

While Paraibas have long had their hold on in-the-know jewelry enthusiasts, with the recent launch of a book on Paraibas penned by Katerina Perez and Kevin Ferreira entitled, Paraiba, The Legacy of a Color, and Gucci’s newest high jewelry collection prominently featuring Paraibas, this mesmerizing stone is certain to join the ranks of more familiar, broadly coveted gemstones.

Image courtesy of Victor Velyan

COUTURE designers and brands have been inspired by the electric (and electrifying!) blue hue of Paraiba Tourmalines for decades. The rarity and beauty of Paraibas make them an exceptional stone for classic, high jewelry collections in combination with white diamonds, as seen in a collar necklace from Oscar Heyman or taking center stage in a cocktail ring by ARAZI. In more avant-garde work, like the Cobra ring by Lydia Courteille or CICADA’s ring featuring a chunky, uncut Paraiba, the gem adds to the mystique of a piece. When mixed with other stones, Paraiba can be a beautiful accent, like in the multi-stone earrings from John Apel, or they can pick up the complementing colors contained in opals, as seen in Meredith Young’s Supernova ring. Whichever way you slice it, Paraiba pavé as seen in ARTEMER’s earrings, mixed with ultra-feminine floral themes as seen in a ring by Buddha Mama or framed in metal like in a pendant from Mark Henry, as illustrated by the small sampling of pieces showcased in this month’s edit, Paraiba Tourmalines represent the height of desirability.

Floral Arrangements

  • Image courtesy of Buddha Mama

  • Image courtesy of Amáli

  • Image courtesy of Retrouvaí

  • Image courtesy of RENNA

  • Image courtesy of Mousson Atelier

  • Image courtesy of MONAN

High Jewelry

  • Image courtesy of Oscar Heyman

  • Image courtesy of ARAZI

  • Image courtesy of Karen Suen

  • Image courtesy of Paul Morelli

  • Image courtesy of GYAN JAIPUR

  • Image courtesy of Busatti 1947

Avant-Garde Designs

  • Image courtesy of Ara Vartanian

  • Image courtesy of Lydia Courteille

  • Image courtesy of CICADA

  • Image courtesy of Alexander Laut

  • Image courtesy of Moritz Glik

  • Image courtesy of Melissa Kaye

Mix Masters

  • Image courtesy of John Apel

  • Image courtesy of Meredith Young

  • Image courtesy of Mason and Books

  • Image courtesy of HOWL

  • Image courtesy of Harwell Godfrey

  • Image courtesy of Hargreaves Stockholm

Pavé to Perfection

  • Image courtesy of ASSAEL

  • Image courtesy of ARTEMER

  • Image courtesy of NeverNoT

  • Image courtesy of Marina B

Frame of Mind

  • Image courtesy of VAN

  • Image courtesy of Mark Henry

  • Image courtesy of Alex Sepkus

  • Image courtesy of Kavant & Sharart

  • Image courtesy of Sanaz Doost

  • Image courtesy of STATEMENT Joaillerie

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