Colour guide · Ethiopian Paraiba
Ethiopian Paraiba Colours
Copper-bearing tourmaline spans a continuum from neon blue to light green. Where a stone sits depends on the balance of copper, manganese and iron, and on whether it has been heated.
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- Paraiba Ethiopia Editorial Team
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What colour range occurs?
The trade describes five broad categories: neon blue, greenish blue, bluish green, vivid green and mint or light green. Saturation and brightness are as important as hue.
| Category | Description | Nomenclature note |
|---|---|---|
| Neon Blue | Saturated, bright blue with an electric quality | Typically within Paraíba criteria when copper-bearing |
| Greenish Blue | Blue dominant with green secondary hue | Typically within criteria |
| Bluish Green | Green dominant with blue secondary hue | Typically within criteria |
| Vivid Green | Saturated green | Laboratory-dependent |
| Mint / Light Green | Light tone, lower saturation | May fall outside criteria |
What causes the different colours?
Copper (Cu²⁺) produces blue to green; manganese (Mn³⁺) adds pink to violet; iron can darken and push colour toward green. Heating can reduce Mn³⁺, removing violet tones and leaving a purer blue.
How should colour be judged?
Under neutral, daylight-equivalent lighting and face-up. Photographs and screens frequently exaggerate saturation.
References
- Study of optical absorption spectroscopy of Cu, Mn and Fe in tourmaline. Peer-reviewed mineralogical journal.Citation to be verified
- LMHC information sheet on Paraíba tourmaline nomenclature. Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC).Citation to be verifiedInsert the current information sheet number, revision date and URL.
Author
Paraiba Ethiopia Editorial Team
The editorial team researches and writes Paraiba Ethiopia’s educational content on copper-bearing tourmaline, prioritising laboratory nomenclature and published gemological literature over trade claims.
Technical reviewer (assignment pending)
Independent gemological reviewer
Placeholder. A qualified gemologist will be named here once technical review of this page is complete. Until then, treat technical statements as editorially prepared but not yet independently reviewed.
First published 1 October 2026. Read our editorial policy
Continue reading
- Colour scienceWhat Causes the Colour of Paraíba Tourmaline?The science of colour in copper-bearing tourmaline: copper, manganese, iron, heating and the role of cutting.
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- MarketEthiopian Paraiba Price and Value FactorsThe factors that determine the value of Ethiopian copper-bearing tourmaline: nomenclature, colour, clarity, size, cut, treatment, laboratory reports and origin — and why reliable price figures are scarce.