20-Carat Paraiba Tourmaline: Smart Investment or Just Seductive Colour?

At The Geneva Jewels Auction: V, taking place on 10 November 2025, Phillips presents one of the most visually captivating gems of the sale — Lot 385, a Paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring estimated between $250,000 – $350,000.

The ring is set with an oval Paraiba tourmaline weighing 20.08 carats, surrounded by a halo of pear-shaped diamonds, each accentuated by smaller brilliant-cut stones. The harmony between the oceanic glow of the tourmaline and the icy brilliance of the diamonds creates a spectacular play of light — a design that exudes both elegance and modernity.

The gem is accompanied by SSEF report no. 115771 and Gübelin report no. 22031229, both confirming that the Paraiba tourmaline is of Mozambique origin, with indications of heating and clarity enhancement. These treatments are common in the market and serve to intensify the stone’s characteristic neon-blue tone, yet they also affect its rarity and long-term investment appeal.

While visually striking, this Paraiba is not from Brazil’s Paraíba state, the region where this variety of tourmaline was first discovered in the 1980s and where the finest specimens, glowing with electric blue to turquoise tones, originate. Brazilian Paraibas remain the benchmark for collectors due to their extreme rarity and distinctive copper-rich composition. Mozambican Paraibas, though undeniably beautiful, are more abundant and frequently enhanced to achieve their luminous saturation.

For this reason, Lot 385 should not be viewed as an investment stone in the same category as unheated Brazilian Paraibas or Tanzanites. Instead, it represents a gem to be worn and enjoyed, a celebration of colour and craftsmanship rather than collectibility.

Image Credits: Phillips