Natural Gemstones & Fine Jewelry Market Intelligence
Documented collection fact: The Smithsonian lists the Mackay emerald and diamond necklace, with a 168-carat emerald, among the highlights of its permanent Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.
GIA and the Gübelin Gem Lab independently confirmed that Ethiopia is a new source of copper-bearing tourmaline that meets the widely accepted definition of Paraíba tourmaline. Gübelin assembled approximately 300 rough and faceted reference stones, while GIA examined a parcel of more than 100 samples. GIA states that it can now confidently identify Ethiopia as an origin on Tourmaline Identification and Origin Reports. This does not mean every Ethiopian tourmaline is Paraíba; individual stones still require proper gemological testing and must meet accepted Paraíba criteria.