9.6 ct Paraiba Tourmaline on E-Bay.

[Cave Keeper]

Under ''Other Loose Gemstones'', E-Bay shows a 9.6 carat Paraiba Tourmaline. I have yet to see Paraiba Tourmalines in their physical form. Is that teal blue stone, described as dazzling, with an appraised value of $900 how an extremely desirable Paraiba Tourmaline should look like?

Also, $900 for a 9.6 carat Paraiba Tourmaline means the cost is less than $100 per carat. The current bid is $50. I can''t help feeling inadequate.

 

[CaptAubrey]

there are varying grades of the stuff. top paraiba is indeed very expensive. that stone is a heavily included, carving quality stone, though the color is nice. by no stretch of the imagination is it what the best stuff looks like. the best stones are eye-clean and a vivid, electric, slightly greenish-blue.

 

[valeria101]

----------------
On 7/7/2004 2:10:35 AM Cave Keeper wrote:



I have yet to see Paraiba Tourmalines in their physical form. ...----------------

Can't help with that, but here's a small one with a more realistic price: LINK.

Paraiba or no Paraiba, it still is color, clarity and overall appearance (shape, cut...) that makes a stone desirable.

Something like the picture down HERE tries to show.

 

[Matata]

Cave Keeper,

Here is pic showing a sample of some top of the line paraiba, just for comparison purposes.

 

[Cave Keeper]

----------------
On 7/7/2004 6:22:53 PM valeria101 wrote:

----------------
On 7/7/2004 2:10:35 AM Cave Keeper wrote:

I have yet to see Paraiba Tourmalines in their physical form. ...----------------

Can't help with that, but here's a small one with a more realistic price: LINK.
:
----------------

Hey, many thanks for the 2 links. The jewelryexpert.com site was pretty interesting as this is the first time I've seen how a trilliant cut can be used, and set as the only stone on a ring also; reminds me of a knight's coat of arms. Very nice.

 

[Cave Keeper]

----------------
On 7/7/2004 6:23:40 PM Matata wrote:

Cave Keeper,
Here is pic showing a sample of some top of the line paraiba, just for comparison purposes.----------------

Hmm, seems to me Paraiba Tourmaline looks similar to Aquamarine for the light blue variety and a good Tanzanite in its bluer form for the darker blue variety as shown in the photo. Can't help feeling Paraiba Tourmaline is not my thing after all. I mean, for all that money, one might be able to acquire a much larger Aquamarine in its more desirable darker color, or Tanzanite in its medium blue form, or, perhaps(?) even a good-sized Cornflour Blue Sapphire. 8^6

Anyway, thanks, Matata, as what you showed me does help let me know how what experts consider to be superior specimens of the stone should look like.