Indocolite vs. Paraiba Tourmaline

[DotDot]

Both Indicolite and Paraiba Tourmaline seem to refer to blue-green tourmalines. Are the names interchangable? If not, what's the difference? What color is desirable? What are the common treatments? How to purchase a blue/green tourmaline?

Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

no, not interchangeable.

The colors are different, though you should buy whatever color you like.

 

[chrono]

Indicolite is a blue or darker blue green tourmaline. Paraiba tourmaline is a copper bearing (cuprite) tourmaline that also contains gold from the mines in the Paraiba region. Then, there are also other copper bearing tourmalines not from the Paraiba regions. These tourmaline colours range from baby blue to purple to greens. Some are vibrant, some aren''t.

In short:
1. The names are not interchangeable
2. Neon blues are the more expensive Paraibas
3. Most tourmalines are not treated, but most Paraibas are heat treated to get the neon colour.
4. Buy whatever strikes your fancy

 

[DotDot]

How much inclusion one should expect when purchasing a tourmaline? I read that some inclusion are to be expected. On ebay, I saw a lot of tourmaline claim to be unheated and IF clarity. Are these most likely synthetic/treated/etc?

On of the examples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FL-4-15-CT-Perfect-Octagon-Blue-Green-Tourmaline-NR_W0QQitemZ280079611319QQihZ018QQcategoryZ10278QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The blue/green color is what I am after. Is that considered to be Indicolite? Any other stones what would produce this color? I have a budget of several hundreds. Any advices on what to look for when purchasing is grately appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COLLECTOR-GEM-10CT-NATURAL-INDICOLITE-BLUE-TOURMALINE_W0QQitemZ300079633109QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10278QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-24-CT-Excellent-Top-Blue-Green-Tourmaline-NR_W0QQitemZ170078771505QQihZ007QQcategoryZ10278QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neon-Green-Blue-Tourmaline-0-97-ct_W0QQitemZ320080522341QQihZ011QQcategoryZ10282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Kismet]

Palagems has this to say about tourmalines: http://palagems.com/tourmaline_buyers_guide.htm

 

[riogems]

On your first example, it is a green tourmaline... Green tourmaline can have the blue color in it. With indicolite you would not question if it is blue or blue/green -- it is genuinely blue. As far as inclusions with tourmaline, they will vary based on the color as well. For example, red tourmaline (rubellite) is usually included (and it is quite rare to find a rubellite that is loupe clean). Whereas, it is more common to find green, indicolite or paraibas that are eye clean.

 

[movie zombie]

i would not trust the labeling of ebay vendors......many are known to use the terms inaccurately, sometimes unknowningly but often deliberately.



movie zombie

 

[chrono]

DotDot,
If you like blue green tourmalines, checkeout www.customgemstones.com. Dan has a few congo tourmalines on his website right now. He is a very honest vendor and his stones are as represented and very reasonably priced. I''ve purchased many gemstones from him and sometimes if you don''t see what you want on his website, you can ask him to cut one specially for you.