From rare, precious gemstones, hand-cut and specially designed diamond solitaires to vintage rubies and emeralds that look like they belong in a royal treasury, Nita Ambani seems to have it all. The Chairperson of Reliance Industries loves her jewels, and it shows. At the high-tea celebrations for daughter-in-law Shloka’s mother, Mona Mehta’s 60th birthday, the Ambani matriarch wore a Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline from her personal stash. The rare gemstone was set into a long necklace, surrounded by a constellation of sparkling diamonds.
Styled by Savleen Manchanda, she wore a white floral sari with a matching blouse that ties at the back. She complemented the neckpiece with oval and cushion-cut diamond earrings and a magnificent pear-cut diamond ring. But it was the Paraíba that was the highlight of her ensemble.
“Always a pleasure to work with Mrs Nita Ambani – glowing here in a rare Brazilian Paraíba from her personal collection, paired with her signature poise and warmth!” Her hairstylist, Hiral Bhatia, took to Instagram to share a video of Nita Ambani walking down the stairs in full glory.
Among the rarest gemstones and most coveted in the world of high jewellery, Brazilian Paraíbas are prized for their almost neon blue-green hue, caused by traces of copper.
The stones from Brazil are the rarest. (Source: Instagram/@bollywoodeliteclub)
What is a Paraíba tourmaline?
The Paraíba tourmaline is a rare gemstone belonging to the crystalline silicate mineral group and derives its name from the Sinhalese word ‘tormalli’, meaning carnelian gemstones. Tourmaline stones are made from the element boron, and compounds together with iron, copper, magnesium, sodium, aluminium, lithium, and, in some instances, potassium as well. The colour of the stone depends on its mineral composition, and it is generally found in a multitude of bright shades.
However, the Paraíba Tourmaline stone is a rare exception, formed when manganese and copper combine under unusual natural conditions. The stone, a type of elbaite tourmaline, is found in the state of Paraíba in northeastern Brazil. It gets its iconic vivid blue and green shade from the high concentration of copper, and in some instances, manganese may give it hints of red. A seasoned jewellery cutter can carve out the red, leaving behind the stone’s blue colour, reflecting its purity and authenticity to the world.
Besides the Paraíba mountains in Brazil, blue tourmalines are also found in Nigeria in the west and Mozambique in eastern Africa. However, the stones from Brazil are the rarest, most vibrant and hold the most value in the market today.
