Paraiba Carat Weight

Most paraibas weigh under 5 carats. The most common paraiba carat weight is 1 to 2 carats. Paraibas larger than 5 carats are very rare and their price increases accordingly.

Paraiba Cut

The natural, elongated shape of the paraiba directly impacts its cut. Narrow, non-standard sizes are common, to best accommodate the paraibas original shape. Select standard shapes are also made available for ease of setting.

Paraiba Clarity

Paraibas form in an environment rich in liquids, which are commonly captured inside the gemstones as inclusions. For this reason, paraibas are accepted to have inclusions and inclusions do not detract from their beauty. Most paraiba inclusions appear as long threads that extend the full length of the gemstone and, under magnification, appear as tiny bubbles.

Paraiba Origins

Paraibas are a type of tourmaline which is a crystalline boron silicate mineral that compounds in our earth with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Originally discovered in Brazil, Brazilian paraibas are extremely rare and very expensive.

Paraibas are now also mined in Mozambique and Nigeria.

Paraiba Meaning

Believed to hold intuitive powers, the paraiba is thought to help their wearer understand the future more clearly and provide support in making dreams come true.

Paraiba Durability

With a ranking of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, Paraibas are one of the hardest mineral gemstones, though they are not quite as strong as sapphires or spinels. Paraibas do not crack or scratch very easily, making them durable for everyday wear.

Paraiba Enhancements

Heat-treating paraibas to enhance their colour is very common today, in fact almost all paraibas are now heat treated. Occasionally, laser drilling and filling of the paraibas inherent inclusions is also done to increase their durability. At Gemdaia, we choose not to deal with filled paraibas to ensure you receive the best value for your investment.