Two years ago a new find of blue, violet, purple and red tourmaline was discovered in Mozambique, known as Paraiba Tourmaline. Upon heat treatment at fairly low temperatures, 900C, this stone turned a vibrant turquoise. However, too much heat or two little will turn the gems colorless and almost worthless, there is no room for error and vast fortunes can be made or lost on the process.
Like Tanzanite 99.9% of all Paraiba Tourmaline is heat treated to bring out the spectacular neon hue.
In the past two years prices have soared from 100us/Gram for rough material to well over 5,000us/Gram for fine quality rough today. Once cut these gems can bring prices upwards of 10,000.00US wholesale. Can this high price be justified? I believe it can because the mines are depleted and there is very little rough around. Several gems went straight to Brazil,where the stone was first discovered, to support the tourist market. Today in Brazil the gem is found very seldom, in small sizes and in low quality. Many jewelry retailers and gem dealers may say that there is still an abundance of Paraiba around, but it is simply not true. I have spoke with many miners and brokers from Mozambique and they all say that very small sizes and included stones are recovered.
You may be asking 'Why haven't I seen this stone at my local jeweler?' The reason being is that most retailers are very conservative, looking out for their bottom line, and prefer to stick with main stay gems such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, and of course diamond.
If you have a chance to witness the gem in person do not just glance but admire the beauty and rarity of the stone. If you are fortunate enough to own one you will have a gem rarer than rubies, emeralds and sapphires combined. When something unusual in the colored stone market arises it is usually for a brief time.
(Picture courtesy of Premier Gems LTD)
(Picture courtesy of Premier Gems LTD)
No comments:
Post a Comment