At this year’s Golden Globes, one jewel shimmered brighter than the Hollywood lights — an electrifying 31-carat Paraíba tourmaline draped around Zendaya’s neck. 

While the actress made headlines with her newly debuted Jessica McCormack engagement ring, it was her Bvlgari high-jewelry necklace, anchored by the neon lagoon-blue stone and framed by 48 carats of diamonds, that sent the industry buzzing.

For gemstone connoisseurs, the moment marked a victory for one of the world’s rarest and most coveted stones finally getting its mainstream spotlight.

And for those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, consider this your crash course — Paraíba tourmaline is rarer than diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies, and its surge on the red carpet is no coincidence.

Tourmalines have long been celebrated for their rainbow palette, but none have shaken the industry quite like the Paraíba. First discovered in 1989 in Brazil’s Paraíba state, the stone’s vibrant blue-green hue — somewhere between turquoise, cyan and aquamarine — quickly set it apart. Its glow is almost otherworldly, often compared to the radiance of a tropical lagoon.

Its signature “neon” effect isn’t marketing magic; it comes from trace elements of copper and manganese that make the stone appear as though it’s lit from within. With Brazil’s original mines believed to be depleted, the only remaining known sources are in Mozambique and Nigeria — making gem-quality Paraíbas of notable size exceptionally scarce.

Its status has risen so dramatically that in 2024, experts Katerina Perez and Kevin Ferreira released Paraíba: The Legacy of a Color, cementing the stone’s cultural and gemological significance.

Hollywood’s new obsession

Once a secret among collectors, Paraíba tourmaline has now become the gem of choice for Hollywood elites and global tastemakers. Zendaya’s Golden Globes splash follows a trail of iconic moments — Halle Berry’s earrings, Jennifer Lopez’s lavish rings and even Taylor Swift’s narrative-driven accessorizing that often favors meaningful, luminous stones.

Off the red carpet, power collectors like Nita and Isha Ambani have also championed Paraíba pieces, further boosting the stone’s aura of exclusivity.

Auction houses worldwide report Paraíba tourmaline jewels selling far beyond their estimates, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Luxury maisons — including Bvlgari, Dior and Boghossian — have embraced the gemstone in their high-jewelry lines, positioning it as one of the most desirable stones of this generation.

With its unmatched rarity, vibrant glow, and cultural cachet, Paraíba tourmaline has become more than a gemstone — it’s a statement of identity, artistry and prestige.

Owning the Paraíba tourmaline today means holding what collectors call “living light.” Its lagoon-like brilliance encapsulates modern glamour: rare yet radiant, trendy yet timeless.

As trends continue to be shaped by red-carpet brilliance and collector demand, one thing has become clear — Paraíba is not just having a moment. It’s becoming the moment.