By Adriana Brasileiro SÃO JOSÉ DA BATALHA, Brazil (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Rare neon blue Paraiba tourmalines have adorned jewelry worn on the red carpet by Hollywood actresses Emily Blunt and Salma Hayek and U.S. singer Taylor Swift. Tourmaline miners toil deep in miles of haphazardly built, unsafe tunnels at risk of collapse, breathing dust that can cause severe disease. The Paraiba tourmaline is so rare it is only found in three mines in a remote area where a high copper content gives the stone its unusual neon bluish tone.
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Brazilian mines produce world’s priciest gems under fire
