The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and G\u00fcbelin Gem Lab have independently confirmed Ethiopia as a new source of copper-bearing tourmaline that meets the widely accepted definition of para\u00edba tourmaline.<\/p>\n
Both laboratories conducted separate investigations using independently acquired, provenance-supported reference samples. Their findings were consistent, confirming the emergence of a significant new source.<\/p>\n
G\u00fcbelin first encountered the material in May 2026, when several stones showed a chemical composition unlike its reference data for Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria. It subsequently assembled about 300 rough and faceted stones from independent sources, including material collected during a gemmologist\u2019s visit to Ethiopia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ethiopian samples are readily distinguishable from all other origins of paraiba tourmaline, without the need for research-grade analytical methods such as LA-ICP-MS,\u201d said Dr. Peter Tollan, Head of R&D at G\u00fcbelin Gem Lab.<\/p>\n
GIA began examining Ethiopian material in June. In July, the Ferreira Group provided more than 100 rough and faceted samples to its research department in Carlsbad, California.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can confidently identify Ethiopia as an origin on GIA Tourmaline Identification and Origin Reports,\u201d said Dr. Aaron Palke, GIA senior manager of research.<\/p>\n
The Ethiopian material is predominantly blue to bluish green, with violet, purple and colourless areas also observed. Pronounced colour zoning is common.<\/p>\n
Both laboratories found elevated vanadium concentrations above 60 ppm, along with lead levels of 170-6,000 ppm and gallium concentrations of 280-900 ppm. These characteristics can be measured using ED-XRF and provide useful indicators for distinguishing Ethiopian material from other origins.<\/p>\n
The new source adds another origin to the para\u00edba tourmaline supply chain. GIA and G\u00fcbelin said they will continue expanding their reference collections as production develops.<\/p>\n
The laboratories will publish separate detailed studies of their findings in an upcoming issue of Gems & Gemology<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and G\u00fcbelin Gem Lab have independently confirmed Ethiopia as a new source of copper-bearing tourmaline that meets the widely accepted definition of para\u00edba tourmaline. Both laboratories conducted separate investigations using independently acquired, provenance-supported reference samples. Their findings were consistent, confirming the emergence of a significant new source. G\u00fcbelin first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37967,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-37966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bulletin"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n