About Paraiba Designs

Paraiba Designs has been creating original necklaces and jewelry in Potomac, Maryland for nearly twenty years.  Our pieces are created by some of the most talented and creative designers at work today using only the finest gems, stones, crystal and pearls.  

Paraiba Designs was founded by Maria Salgado, who leads the company and serves as its chief designer.  Maria has been working with jewelry since her early childhood in Bogota, Colombia.  No design leaves the studio without her approval, ensuring the creations are of the highest quality.

Paraiba Designs offers custom pieces, designed specifically to your taste and personal style.  For more information on our custom pieces, please visit our “Custom Creations” page.

About Paraiba Tourmalines

Late 1989, in a small mountain range in the Brazilian state of Paraiba, a geological team led by gem prospector Heitor Dimas Barbosa uncovered the Paraiba Tourmaline, which is widely considered the finest and most beautiful variety of tourmaline crystal ever found. A trace of copper give these tourmalines a vivid turquoise color, never before seen in that family of gems.

The paraiba tourmaline has also been found in other deposits in the neighboring Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. In the year 2000, Paraiba tourmalines were found in Nigeria, although the colors are not as intense. And, in 2005, beautiful Paraiba tourmalines were found in Mozambique, as well. 

The name Paraiba Designs was inspired by the rare beauty and uniqueness of Paraiba tourmalines, qualities which we strive to instill in every design.