AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sSourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in Ethiopia
SSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
This photo provided by SSEF shows a group of five copper-bearing tourmalines from Brazil, Mozambique, and Nigeria along with, in the bottom left-hand corner, two oval gemstones that might be from Ethiopia. (Photo © SSEF)
Basel—Less than a week after a private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines sold for more than $3 million at Sotheby’s jewelry auction, the sought-after gemstone is making headlines again.
Last week, Swiss gem lab SSEF issued a news release about a potential new source of Paraíba (or Paraíba-type) tourmaline, citing “credible reports” from trade sources that coincided with the submission of several copper-bearing tourmalines to the lab with indeterminable origin.
SSEF said it used existing analytical criteria and algorithms when examining the gemstones, two of which are pictured at the top of the article (bottom left-hand corner).
Trace-element analysis of the gemstones showed “considerable overlap” with copper-bearing tourmalines from sources in previously discovered deposits, particularly those from Brazil, but the lab said it could not definitively determine the stones’ geographic origin.
Because of the inconclusive test results and the reports of a new source of copper-bearing tourmaline, SSEF is hypothesizing that the gemstones it recently analyzed may be from Ethiopia.
The lab said research focused on characterizing this new material and refining the methods used to distinguish it from copper-bearing tourmalines mined in other countries is ongoing.
Related stories will be right here …
Last week, Swiss gem lab SSEF issued a news release about a potential new source of Paraíba (or Paraíba-type) tourmaline, citing “credible reports” from trade sources that coincided with the submission of several copper-bearing tourmalines to the lab with indeterminable origin.
SSEF said it used existing analytical criteria and algorithms when examining the gemstones, two of which are pictured at the top of the article (bottom left-hand corner).
Trace-element analysis of the gemstones showed “considerable overlap” with copper-bearing tourmalines from sources in previously discovered deposits, particularly those from Brazil, but the lab said it could not definitively determine the stones’ geographic origin.
Because of the inconclusive test results and the reports of a new source of copper-bearing tourmaline, SSEF is hypothesizing that the gemstones it recently analyzed may be from Ethiopia.
The lab said research focused on characterizing this new material and refining the methods used to distinguish it from copper-bearing tourmalines mined in other countries is ongoing.
Copper-bearing tourmalines first appeared on the commercial gem market in the late 1980s.
Miner and prospector Heitor Barbosa discovered the gemstone in a weathered pegmatite in the Brazilian state of Paraíba, thereby earning their trade name, Paraíba tourmaline.
It is primarily the copper in the tourmaline’s crystal structure that gives Paraíba tourmaline its neon-like glow.
Tourmalines with the same electric-blue hue later were discovered in Nigeria and Mozambique.
Mozambique has become a particularly important source of the gemstone, both in terms of quantity and carat size, SSEF noted. The country has produced some pieces of Paraíba tourmaline rough that weigh several hundred carats, like the stone that was cut into the 181.61-carat “Kat Florence Lumina.”
Some refer to these gemstones as “Paraíba type” because they are not from Brazil, though “Paraíba tourmaline” has become a widely used term for all tourmalines of this color.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled Emeralds
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesMore on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
