8.7K views · 1.1K reactions | Paraiba Tourmaline from @katflorence #gobsmacked | International Gem Society | Facebook

52 reactions · 9 comments | A phenomenal and rare electric blue Paraiba tourmaline weighing 0.65 carats sparkles in this gorgeous ring, certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as Brazilian in origin. | M.S. Rau | Facebook

Tourmaline obsession! Tourmaline forms in all colors of the rainbow however fancy red/ purple and blue greens are some of the rarest and most valuable. Not only is it beautiful but also useful in technology. Tourmaline is very piezoelectric (similar to quartz crystals) which means that when a mechanical stress is applied it generates on minute electrical charge, this unique feature has many practical applications in industry such as being used in pressure sensitive gauges and sensors for testing

Tourmaline is one of the most popular mineral groups of all the different species sought out by collectors. This piece is an example of the species Elbaite, named after the Island of Elba, the very island where Napoleon Bonaparte was briefly exiled between his twO reigns as Emperor of France. Elbaite is found in many places on many continents, in a wide variety of beautiful colors, often having more than one color on a single crystal. Mineral collectors compete with the gem industry for these pi