Indicolite

Indicolite is a blue to blue-green variety of tourmaline whose color comes from the presence of iron within its crystal structure. Higher iron concentrations tend to produce deeper blue tones, while lower levels shift the color toward greenish-blue.

Brazil is the primary source of indicolite on the commercial market, producing stones across a range of blue and blue-green tones. Fine specimens are also found in Afghanistan and Pakistan, both of which are known for producing high-quality tourmaline crystals.

Indicolite refers broadly to iron-colored blue tourmaline, while Paraiba tourmaline is an extremely rare variety colored by copper, producing vivid neon blues and greens. Paraiba, first discovered in the Brazilian state of that name in the late 1980s, commands prices far exceeding those of standard indicolite.

Indicolite is one of the rarer color varieties of tourmaline, especially in a pure, saturated blue without green undertones. Clean, faceted stones of significant size are particularly scarce, making them sought after by collectors and fine jewelry designers.