What region is the world's largest producer of gem-quality tourmaline?

The world's largest producer of gem-quality tourmaline is Paraiba, a region in Brazil. The significance of Paraiba stems from its unique deposits of tourmaline that showcase striking colors, particularly in vibrant shades of blue and green due to the presence of copper in the crystals. This distinctive coloration and the high-quality gemstones produced from the region have made Paraiba tourmaline highly sought after in the gemstone market, contributing to its reputation as the foremost source of gem-quality tourmaline.

While other regions such as Mozambique, Vietnam, and Madagascar are known for producing tourmaline, they do not match the exceptional quality and distinct coloring of the tourmaline that comes from Paraiba. Mozambique, for example, produces significant quantities of tourmaline, but the stones typically don't exhibit the same striking hues that define Paraiba's allure. Therefore, the prominence of Paraiba as the largest producer of gem-quality tourmaline is firmly rooted in both the volume of production and the exceptional characteristics of the gemstones mined from the region.