LIMITED COLLECTIONS
Properties, Care & The Ghosts of Jupiter Collection
Paraiba topaz: a neon blue that doesn't exist anywhere else in the gemstone world at this price point. Named for its visual similarity to the legendary Paraiba tourmaline (which commands thousands per carat), Paraiba topaz achieves its intense electric blue through a proprietary coating process applied to natural topaz. The result: a stone that glows like a nebula captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
From Tucson
Andrea Li discovered Paraiba topaz at the Tucson Gem Show through her vendors Earthstone and Gem House USA while building the Ghosts of Jupiter collection, a body of work inspired by the deep, galactic tones of druzy center stones that sparkle like a dark evening sky. She paired Paraiba topaz with blue sapphire rondelles, gray sapphires, mystic topaz, tanzanite, freshwater pearls, iolite, and labradorite, hand-setting every gemstone in 14k gold-filled using her signature gemstone clustering technique. The gold creates a rich contrast against the deep blue palette, asymmetrical compositions where no single element dominates.
The Guide
Paraiba
Paraiba topaz is a coated variety of natural white topaz that achieves a striking neon blue: a color so electric it rivals the legendary Paraiba tourmaline at a fraction of the cost. The stone underneath is genuine topaz, one of the hardest silicate minerals in any jeweler's inventory.
Hardness
8
Mohs scale
Mineral
Topaz
Aluminum silicate fluoride
Treatment
Coated
Proprietary thin-film process
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Prismatic habit
Refractive Index
1.61–1.64
High brilliance
Color
Neon Blue
Between sky blue & Swiss blue
The name comes from the visual similarity to Paraiba tourmaline: a rare copper-bearing tourmaline first discovered in Paraiba state, Brazil in 1989 that can sell for $20,000+ per carat. Paraiba topaz achieves a strikingly similar neon blue through a thin-film coating rather than copper inclusions, making it accessible without the five-figure price tag.
Paraiba topaz gets its neon color from a proprietary coating applied to natural white or colorless topaz. This is standard practice in the gem trade and fully disclosed. The coating is durable for normal wear but can be damaged by harsh chemicals or abrasive polishing. The base stone is genuine topaz, one of the hardest natural gemstones at Mohs 8.
Natural topaz forms deep inside the earth in pegmatite veins and granite cavities. The base material for Paraiba topaz follows the same geological story as all topaz: it's the finishing treatment that gives it the neon blue.
Topaz forms during the late stages of magma cooling, when fluorine-rich fluids concentrate in cavities and fractures within granite and rhyolite. The aluminum, silicon, and fluorine combine under extreme heat and pressure.
As the pegmatite slowly cools over millions of years, topaz crystals grow into their signature prismatic shapes. Natural topaz can form enormous crystals: some of the largest gem-quality crystals ever found are topaz, weighing hundreds of pounds.
Most topaz crystallizes colorless or very pale. The rare Imperial topaz gets golden-orange from chromium. Blue topaz in nature is extremely uncommon: nearly all blue topaz on the market has been irradiated and heat-treated to achieve its color.
Paraiba topaz goes one step further: a thin-film coating using vapor deposition technology creates the intense neon blue. Think of it as the gem world's equivalent of an anodized finish: the base material is natural and hard, the color is applied with precision technology.
Topaz is mined worldwide, but the finest specimens come from a handful of key sources. The base material for Paraiba topaz is typically sourced from Brazil, the world's most prolific topaz producer.
The world's primary source for both gem-quality colorless topaz (the base for Paraiba topaz) and the rare natural Imperial topaz. The Ouro Preto region produces the finest material. Brazil has been mining topaz for centuries.
Produces exceptional pink and golden topaz crystals from high-altitude pegmatites in the Karakoram Range. Some of the most prized collector specimens come from Pakistani mines.
Historically significant: Russian Imperial topaz was named for the Czars. The Ural deposits produce pink, golden, and colorless topaz in large, well-formed crystals.
Utah's state gemstone. The Thomas Range produces small but gem-quality topaz in amber, yellow, and colorless varieties. An American source with a rich collecting history.
The Paraiba topaz in the Ghosts of Jupiter collection was sourced at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show through Earthstone and Gem House USA: two vendors known for carrying unusual, small-lot gemstones that appeal to OOAK designers. Andrea selects each strand in person, looking for consistent neon saturation and stones that pair well with the darker druzy center stones that anchor each design.
The name "Paraiba" causes confusion. Here's how Paraiba topaz compares to the stones most often compared to it, and why the differences matter when you're investing in jewelry.
| Property | Paraiba Topaz | Paraiba Tourmaline | Swiss Blue Topaz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral | Topaz (coated) | Elbaite tourmaline | Topaz (irradiated) |
| Color Source | Thin-film coating | Natural copper inclusions | Irradiation + heat |
| Color Character | Intense neon blue | Electric neon blue-green (glows from within) | Clean, saturated medium blue |
| Hardness | 8 Mohs | 7–7.5 Mohs | 8 Mohs |
| Price Per Carat | $5–$30 | $5,000–$50,000+ | $5–$25 |
| Rarity | Readily available | Extremely rare | Abundant |
| Best For | Bold neon color at accessible price | Collectors, investment-grade pieces | Classic blue gemstone jewelry |
Important: Paraiba topaz is NOT Paraiba tourmaline. The name refers to color similarity, not mineral identity. Paraiba tourmaline is a naturally copper-bearing elbaite tourmaline first discovered in Paraiba, Brazil in 1989, one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. Paraiba topaz is natural topaz with a coating that mimics that famous neon blue. Both are beautiful; they're entirely different stones with very different value propositions. Andrea Li uses Paraiba topaz intentionally for its electric color, disclosed transparently.
Topaz is extremely hard (Mohs 8), harder than quartz, harder than most colored gemstones. But the neon blue coating on Paraiba topaz requires a bit more attention than uncoated stones. Here's what to do and what to avoid.
Do
Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. Pat dry, don't rub. This protects the coating while keeping the stone brilliant. The base topaz is extremely durable; it's the coating that needs care.
Avoid
Ultrasonic vibrations and steam can damage or strip the thin-film coating. This is the single most important rule for coated topaz. Never let a jeweler put it in an ultrasonic bath.
Do
Even though topaz is hard, the coating can be scratched by harder stones (diamond, sapphire, ruby). Keep Paraiba topaz in its own soft pouch or a lined compartment.
Avoid
Household cleaners, chlorine, perfume, and hair spray can degrade the coating over time. Put jewelry on last, take it off first. This rule applies to most coated gemstones.
Do
Paraiba topaz in well-designed settings (bezel, prong, cluster) is absolutely everyday-wearable. Necklaces and earrings face less impact than rings. The coating is durable under normal conditions.
Avoid
Standard gemstone repolishing will remove the coating entirely. If a stone needs work, consult Andrea: she'll advise on options. Some coatings can be reapplied, but it depends on the stone.
Paraiba topaz didn't start as a stone Andrea was looking for. It started with a druzy.
At the Tucson Gem Show, Andrea found druzy center stones with a glitter-like sparkle and texture that looked like a dark, starry evening sky. She fell in love with that quality and set out to build a color palette of complementary gemstones around them: stones that would create a rich tapestry of galactic tones reminiscent of nebulas captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
The result was the Ghosts of Jupiter collection, named for the planetary nebula NGC 3242, known for its haunting blue-green glow. Every piece was handcrafted in 14k gold-filled, hand-set using Andrea's signature gemstone clustering technique in both asymmetrical (her favorite) and aesthetically balanced compositions.
Gold was chosen deliberately to create rich contrast against the deep blue palette. Andrea hand-set every gemstone using her signature clustering technique: building three-dimensional gemstone arrangements where stones are reamed with a diamond drill bit, stacked, and layered so no single element is recognizable in the final design.
Every piece in the Ghosts of Jupiter collection was built around unique druzy center stones and one-of-a-kind gemstone strands sourced from Earthstone and Gem House USA at the Tucson Gem Show. When a piece sold, it was gone: the specific combination of stones in that design will never exist again.
From the bench · Andrea Li
A note from Andrea Li, who sets Paraiba topaz by hand in her Denver studio.
Paraiba topaz gets its neon blue from a thin coating over natural topaz, and I would rather you hear that from me. Almost nobody asks, which is exactly why I say it.
The coating is more durable than you would think. It covers the stone evenly, so the glow is consistent all the way around, and in all my work reaming and setting these stones I have never seen it show signs of wear.
An inky dark blue sky with a smattering of stars and cosmic dust clouds.
The lights at a gem show are so bright that you really get to see these stones and all of their character. I inspect every stone in a strand for consistency in color, coating, cut and clarity, and I only buy the strands that meet my exacting standards and pass my own hand-picked inspection.
Ghosts of Jupiter started with druzy center stones that looked like a dark, starry evening sky. I built the palette around them by laying strands side by side at the show: Paraiba topaz, sapphire, tanzanite, iolite. The colors had a galactic feel that reminded me of images from the Hubble Space Telescope, so I named the collection after a planetary nebula, NGC 3242, the Ghost of Jupiter.
I have no Paraiba topaz left in my studio. A commission would start the way this collection did, with strands I hand-pick at the Tucson Gem Show.
Featured Collection
Every piece in the Ghosts of Jupiter collection, one of a kind and handcrafted in Denver.
The Lookbook
Photography Nicole Marcelli · Model Jessica Nazarenus · Hair and makeup Mel Akana McIntosh · Creative Credits
One of a Kind · Sold Out
Every piece in the Ghosts of Jupiter collection was one of a kind: handcrafted once, sold once, never repeated. Most of the pieces in this lookbook have found their owners; the ones still available are just below. But Paraiba topaz is a stone Andrea loves working with, and she'd love to design something new for you.
Start a Commission →Daddy's little princess won't always be little, but she can always be a princess. These delicate sparklers can certainly reinforce this enduring status. Beautiful individually or stack 'em for extra impact. Choose from three different styles all intricately handwoven with sapphires, iolite and tanzanite with fresh water pearl. Delicate gold chains support the fluid movement of each bracelet.
Be beautiful from head to um, uh, wow. Who says simple can't have 'Wow' factor? This graceful necklace features a fancy trillion cut hydro quartz with cascading delicate 14k gold filled chains.
The secret to a higher Klout score. This elegant necklace features two intricately handwoven iolite details with delicate 14k gold filled chain tassels. Suspended by a 22k gold vermeil pendant with gemstone clustering with gilded druzy, Paraiba topaz, tanzanite, rare sky blue aquamarines, pearlized moonstone and 14k gold filled accents.
Topaz ranks 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, harder than quartz, harder than moonstone, harder than most colored gemstones in a jeweler's case. The coating that gives Paraiba topaz its color is durable for everyday wear but should be treated with care. Every piece in this collection was one of a kind, handcrafted in Denver. When it sold, it was gone.
Paraiba Topaz · Vivid Blue
Vivid Paraiba topaz at the wrist, paired with druzy, moonstone, and tanzanite. Each piece is hand-fabricated in 14k gold-filled and 22k gold vermeil by Andrea Li in Denver.
One of a Kind · Built Once
Explore Paraiba Topaz Bracelets
Paraiba Topaz · Vivid Blue
A line of vivid Paraiba topaz and tanzanite, cool blue light drawn down the neck. Each piece is hand-fabricated in 14k gold-filled and 22k gold vermeil by Andrea Li in Denver.
One of a Kind · Built Once
Explore Paraiba Topaz Necklaces
Paraiba Topaz · Vivid Blue
Paraiba topaz set to swing, electric blue beside sapphire, iolite, and mystic topaz. Each piece is hand-fabricated in 14k gold-filled and 22k gold vermeil by Andrea Li in Denver.
One of a Kind · Built Once
Explore Paraiba Topaz EarringsGifts · Handmade & One-of-a-Kind
Glowing an electric, tropical blue, Paraiba is about as vivid as a gemstone gets, unforgettable for someone who loves color. Each piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind, sculpted by hand in my Denver studio.
Explore the Jewelry Gift Guide →No. Paraiba topaz is a vivid blue to blue-green topaz, named for its resemblance to the famous neon Paraiba tourmaline, which is a different and far rarer stone. Paraiba topaz gives you that electric blue color in a durable, very wearable topaz.
It is topaz with an intense, slightly greenish blue, in the same family as London blue and Swiss blue topaz but pushed toward a brighter, neon tone. Topaz has a Mohs hardness of 8, so it holds a high polish and wears well every day.
Her Paraiba topaz pieces often bring in tanzanite, sapphire, iolite, mystic topaz, moonstone, and druzy, set in 14k gold-filled and 22k gold vermeil, so the vivid blue has cooler and warmer notes around it.
Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners and sudden temperature changes, which can stress topaz, and store it away from harder stones to protect the polish.
Yes. Every piece is one of a kind, so Andrea can build a design around the exact blue you love. Start a commission at andreali.com/custom-shop.
You want the same things as any girl. You just want yours to be better. Starting with your jewelry these long column earrings should do the trick. These feature intricately woven detailing with tiny iolite faceted rondells with cascading delicate 14k gold filled chains topped with a 22k gold vermeil teardrop accented with tanzanite.