GIA London: The Thrill of Brazil: Paraiba Tourmaline with Brian Cook

Unusually vivid "neon" blue, ‎green-blue, green and violet tourmalines first appeared in the jewelry trade in 1989. The colors were so striking that there was initial uncertainty over the identity of the material. Found at a single deposit near the Brazilian village of Sao Jose de Batalha in north-central Paraiba State, it was determined that the blue-to-green colors were from copper − the first recorded instance of copper coloring in tourmaline. Named Paraiba tourmaline, the gem world has had a love affair with this material ever since its discovery.

Bahia golden rutilated quartz is special among quartz crystals because its rich color resembles 14-24 karat gold. The rutile can be very thick or dense, and when associated with hematite, can on rare occasions create six-ray stars.

Join us at GIA London for a visual journey of Paraiba tourmaline and learn about the history, geology and gemology of Bahia rutilated quartz from Brian Cook, a geologist and purveyor of minerals and gems to collectors and museums since 1983. Cook was in Bahia in 1987 when the original Paraiba tourmaline was discovered, and has been involved with it ever since. He also operates a rutilated quartz mine in the village of Remedios in the old district of Ibitiara, known as Novo Horizonte, in Bahia, Brazil.

Cook and his wife, Aroma Jewels founder Kendra Grace‎, founded the company Nature's Geometry in 1989 to expose and brand their own unique creations. They won the AGTA 2016 Spectrum Fashion Forward award for their "Wheel of Light" Numinous pendant. The pendant appears on the cover of the Spring 2016 issue of Gems & Gemology.

All are welcome to attend this event, whether you're a GIA alumnus, student, industry associate, hobbyist or guest. Please share this invitation with any others you may feel would be interested.