Paraiba Help Please

[prs]

My wife and I recently came across this pear shaped, 3.4ct, Brazilian paraiba. We really liked the stone but knew nothing about paraiba, and have spent the last week reading through all your paraiba threads. We are thinking the stone is obviously on the green side (less desirable?), very clean, has a significant window, and glows like crazy around the perimeter, but not so much on the table. I understand Brazilian stones of this size are quite rare, and would very much appreciate your expert opinions on the quality of this stone. The photos were taken under the store lights.

 

[theredspinel]

It's got a massive window which is why the "glow" you see is only around the perimeter. It's badly cut to save weight hence the above window.

You'd also want it to be certified from Brazil if that's a claim you want to be able to make, especially at this size and not just have to take the word of the seller.

Otherwise I love it. I love that green.

However, I wouldn't pay a pariaba price for it purely because for me I equate pariaba with that alluring swimming pool / turquoisey blue.

It's a gorgeous stone (if not for the window) when disassociated from its name

 

[SparkliesLuver]

The size wouldn't allure me because of the giant window. Green is typically less desirable but that's really personal preference. The stone looks very clean. Because they're saying it's Brazilian, I'm sure they're charging for it. Just like @theredspinel said, I wouldn't pay anything near that until you see an AGL Prestige Report (or make the sale contingent on it). I'd also want the report because I'd want to know treatment, since I know some are being oiled now. Granted, this one is clean but still. I'd want to know.

Unless it's a super good price or has enough depth to somewhat close the window (which it doesn't really look like it does), I'd personally pass.

 

[chatoyancy]

My paraiba is windowed and that’s the only thing I don’t like about it. Luckily, it’s an accent stone as part of a pendant necklace and it’s bezel set, so it’s hard to tell now. However, if I were to buy a paraiba as a center stone, I’d be more selective about cut. This green one is windowed.

Also, most members in PS prefer turquoise. Color is totally a personal preference. I like the windex blue with a touch of violet ( which are out of my reach and impossible to find), deep green and teal. I never see those colors on here. I met the guy who brought Paraiba into the country one time in a rock shop (years ago). His favorite was the deeper green. He had one to sell. It was beautiful and even though it was priced very well, was out of my reach. Just look for the color you like, but make sure it is well cut because that will show the insane sparkle copper bearing tourmaline is known for. Also, think about origin and treatment. Are those important to you? The copper bearing tourmaline from Paraiba, Brazil (traditional Paraiba) are more expensive than those from Mozambique.

 

[doberman]

That window would drive me crazy. I like the green paraiba as well as the blue and have both. But I'd keep looking for a stone without a window.

 

[leukolenos]

I’d take a smaller stone without a window. I previewed some stones with minor windows that I thought wouldn’t be a big deal, but the whole time I had them it was like a game of find the window. Needless to say they went back in the end! For such a large stone where it would be so obvious I would pass.

 

[prs]

It's got a massive window which is why the "glow" you see is only around the perimeter. It's badly cut to save weight hence the above window.

You'd also want it to be certified from Brazil if that's a claim you want to be able to make, especially at this size and not just have to take the word of the seller.

Otherwise I love it. I love that green.

However, I wouldn't pay a pariaba price for it purely because for me I equate pariaba with that alluring swimming pool / turquoisey blue.

It's a gorgeous stone (if not for the window) when disassociated from its name

@theredspinel thanks for your thoughts. The window wasn't so obvious the first time we saw the stone, but on the second visit we were positioned directly under the store lights and it became more apparent. In the photos the window really stands out!

The asking price for the stone is in the high four figures, and I'm not sure if that's a good price or not. After all the negative replies I'm thinking maybe not!

The stone, a long, lean pear, faces up nicely at 15x7.5. I seem to remember reading that setting a poorly cut stone in a closed basket helps overcome a window, but I don't know if this is true. I guess the big question is if this stone could be made into a gorgeous piece of jewelry. If not, it doesn't really matter how great a deal it is (or does it? ).

 

[T L]

I have a Mozambique paraiba with the worst cut imaginable and a terrible inclusion running across it, but I get more compliments on it than precision cut gems. With paraiba, it's all about color and neon glow. If the color isn't good enough to overcome the window, I wouldn't bother.

 

[arkieb1]

Some paraibas are blue, some are green, some are purple etc. The window would also probably bug me but it's a nice colour in these pics. You need to get it certified to check that it hasn't been oiled or messed with in any way other than possibly heating, because that impacts the value of it.