It’s no secret that copper bearing tourmalines from Mozambique have caused an immense feeding frenzy in the gem market since it’s recent discovery and introduction. The material is a copper (and sometimes gold) bearing elbaite tourmaline, that has been found in ravashing vivid neon colors, nearly on par with the famed material of Paraiba, Brazil (thus the common trade name of Paraiba Tourmaline). The material from Paraiba, Brazil was first introduced in 1989, but the amount of rough stones being produced dwindled rapidly, and now the source is almost depleted. Fine Brazilian Paraiba commands extremely high prices of $10,000 – $20,000 / carat in fine neon blue stones.
The introduction of a new source of copper bearing elbaite was a glorious event for the market, as this represented a renewed possibility of being able to obtain such a wide range of neon colored cuprian tourmalines at a more affordable price range than those from Brazil. While the best material from Mozambique is not quite as vivid as the Brazilian material (it comes extremely close in some cases), the color range available is wider. For instance many collectors are seeking purple Mozambique material (very highly sought after). But whatever color of cuprian elbaite you prefer, you’ll be relieved when you look at it’s pricing. In typical consumer gem grade material, you can aquire the material for as little as $100/ct in whatever color floats your fancy. Of course truly fine quality material is more expensive, but still tends to top out around or less than half of the cost of it’s relative from Brazil. It is for this reason that this material (while some believe it to be over hyped), offers one of the strongest buys on the market today. Let’s face it, the material from Mozambique won’t last long, as the deposits are small (some estimates are around 50kg of total rough production).
Classic color of cuprian elbaite (left), purple cuprian elbaite (right) – both from Mozambique.
[…] Mozambique Cuprian Tourmaline: Why It Still Matters!For instance many collectors are seeking purple Mozambique material (very highly sought after). But whatever color of cuprian elbaite you prefer, you’ll be relieved when you look at it’s pricing. In typical consumer gem grade material, … […]
[…] Mozambique Cuprian Tourmaline: Why It Still Matters!For instance many collectors are seeking purple Mozambique material (very highly sought after). But whatever color of cuprian elbaite you prefer, you’ll be relieved when you look at it’s pricing. In typical consumer gem grade material, … […]