Terminology · Ethiopian Paraiba
Ethiopian Copper-Bearing Tourmaline
“Copper-bearing tourmaline” is the neutral, descriptive term for tourmaline in which copper has been detected. It is often more accurate than “Paraíba” when a stone has not been assessed against laboratory variety criteria.
- By
- Paraiba Ethiopia Editorial Team
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- Review pending
- Updated
Why use the term “copper-bearing tourmaline”?
It states a measurable fact — copper is present — without implying that a stone meets the colour and saturation criteria for the Paraíba variety name.
What is currently documented about Ethiopian material?
Tourmaline of various colours is reported from Ethiopia, and some blue to green material is offered as copper-bearing. Comprehensive peer-reviewed characterisation is limited, so localities, chemistry and production remain to be verified.
References
- Documented study of tourmaline from Ethiopia. Peer-reviewed journal or recognised laboratory publication.Citation to be verifiedRequired before any Ethiopian locality, discovery date or chemistry is stated as fact.
- LMHC information sheet on Paraíba tourmaline nomenclature. Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC).Citation to be verifiedInsert the current information sheet number, revision date and URL.
Author
Paraiba Ethiopia Editorial Team
The editorial team researches and writes Paraiba Ethiopia’s educational content on copper-bearing tourmaline, prioritising laboratory nomenclature and published gemological literature over trade claims.
Technical reviewer (assignment pending)
Independent gemological reviewer
Placeholder. A qualified gemologist will be named here once technical review of this page is complete. Until then, treat technical statements as editorially prepared but not yet independently reviewed.
First published 1 October 2026. Read our editorial policy
Continue reading
- Pillar guideEthiopian Paraiba TourmalineWhat “Ethiopian Paraiba” means, how copper-bearing tourmaline is identified, which colours occur, how treatment and certification work, and how Ethiopia compares with Brazil and Mozambique.
- TerminologyWhat Is Paraíba Tourmaline?The definition of Paraíba tourmaline: a copper-bearing variety of elbaite-type tourmaline named after the Brazilian state where it was first found.
- ChemistryChemical Composition of Paraíba TourmalineThe chemistry of copper-bearing tourmaline: elbaite structure, chromophores, trace elements and the analytical methods used to measure them.