Among the most distinguished automobiles ever built, the 1934 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan stands as a triumph of design and engineering. Representing the pinnacle of American innovation, it remains one of the very few known survivors of Cadillac’s legendary sixteen-cylinder line—each one a marvel of craftsmanship and technological mastery. This example has been restored to absolute, 100-point perfection over nine painstaking years by a leading expert.
The Legend of the Paraiba
Uncover the origins of the greatest Paraiba Tourmaline known
The Jewel of Paraiba
Paraiba Tourmaline
37.34 Carats — Untreated
In 1981, the gem miner Heitor Dimas Barbosa, commonly known among the local villagers as “Heitor the Fool,” began tunneling in the hill behind São José de Batalha, Paraíba, Brazil. Barbosa was determined that his hunch would lead to finding a new gemstone. Despite having no electricity or dependable water, Barbosa persevered with faith for over six years through the rugged and arid landscape on his quest. In 1987, his efforts were rewarded by the discovery of the first Brazilian Paraiba, a stunning gem that was unlike any stone ever found.
Three years later in 1990, Brazilian Paraibas first appeared at an American gem show and collectors quickly took note. Early skepticism of their mesmerizing vivid blue-green hues and electric glow was quickly replaced by awe. Although these jewels began at the price of $250 per carat, collectors were trading them at $2,500 a carat only six days later. Soon after their discovery, production began to dwindle; over 90% of the tourmaline production occurred between 1989 and 1992. To put their rarity into perspective, less than one Paraiba is mined for every 1,000,000 diamonds, and a good quality Paraiba from Brazil weighing over five carats only seldom comes on the market.
The astonishing rarity of the size and untreated color of this Paraiba would be difficult to overstate. With the exception of this gem, there are no other untreated Brazilian Paraibas over thirty carats known. Also, well over 99% of Paraiba gems are treated with a slow heat to further bring out their neon blue coloring. With its untreated perfect blue color and incomparable size, this gem is the paramount example of the Paraiba’s beauty and grandeur.
Engineering Marvel
Timeless Classic
1934 Cadillac V-16
Fleetwood Town Sedan
Click to view more details
Extraordinary Provenance
Industry experts have been vocal about the exceptional investment potential and increasing rarity of Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines:
• "In the past three to five years, the price of Paraíbas from Brazil have gone up at least two times, if not more. We can see an increase of at least 20 to 30 percent every year."
—Robert Boghossian, Jewelry Designer
• "During Covid, we saw a perfect example of individuals seeking alternative securities, with many capitalizing on the Paraíba tourmaline. Those who purchased during this time can expect at least a 30 to 50% return on investment today, even on the conservative side."
—Kevin Ferreira, Dealer
• "These Paraíba tourmalines from Paraíba can only be found through collectors who acquired them early on or from repurposed gems in vintage jewelry."
—Katerina Perez, Gemologist
• "Because the Brazilian Paraíba mines were only productive for a few years, gemstones with that provenance are the rarest of rare."
—Victoria Reynolds, Tiffany's Chief Gemologist
Industry Experts Weigh In
M.S. Rau is privileged to present a truly historic gemstone—a 37-carat unheated Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline of unparalleled quality and significance. This is the pinnacle of Paraíba tourmalines—best understood as the "Hope Diamond" of its category. At 37 carats, completely natural and unheated, with an electric blue coloration that surges with an inner luminosity, this gem is the greatest example ever unearthed from the original Brazilian mines.
The extraordinary nature of this stone is confirmed by its unprecedented recognition: it was recently sought after as the subject of Gübelin Gem Lab's first-ever complete Gemmological Profile book. It was also the recipient of a rare appendix letter and dedicated folio from the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)—an honor bestowed on only a select few gems of the thousands they see each year.
An Extraordinary 37-Carat Unheated Brazilian Paraíba Tourmaline
Unprecedented Rarity
Unparalleled Beauty
Legendary History
Uncover the Origins of the Greatest Paraíba Tourmaline Known
To put this opportunity in perspective: finding even a five-carat Brazilian Paraíba today is considered remarkable. At 37.34 carats, this gemstone has been confirmed by gemologist Brian C. Cook, who worked alongside Heitor Barbosa and his son Sergio, as the largest perfect and untreated gem ever unearthed from the Paraíba mines. It features the quintessential electric blue coloration, nicknamed “Heitorita Blue,” which defines the finest examples.
Read more about the history of this famous stone in the book Cook authored here.
The Ultimate Cadillac
100-Point Restoration
Exceptional Detail
Meticulously Documented
This Cadillac’s acclaim continues to grow: Cadillac & LaSalle Club Magazine will feature it in their forthcoming November issue, and it will appear on Jay Leno’s Garage on November 17.
In 1981, the gem miner Heitor Dimas Barbosa, commonly known among the local villagers as “Heitor the Fool,” began tunneling in the hill behind São José de Batalha, Paraíba, Brazil. Barbosa was determined that his hunch would lead to finding a new gemstone. Despite having no electricity or dependable water, Barbosa persevered with faith for over six years through the rugged and arid landscape on his quest. In 1987, his efforts were rewarded by the discovery of the first Brazilian Paraiba, a stunning gem that was unlike any stone ever found.
Three years later in 1990, Brazilian Paraibas first appeared at an American gem show and collectors quickly took note. Early skepticism of their mesmerizing vivid blue-green hues and electric glow was quickly replaced by awe. Although these jewels began at the price of $250 per carat, collectors were trading them at $2,500 a carat only six days later. Soon after their discovery, production began to dwindle; over 90% of the tourmaline production occurred between 1989 and 1992. To put their rarity into perspective, less than one Paraiba is mined for every 1,000,000 diamonds, and a good quality Paraiba from Brazil weighing over five carats only seldom comes on the market.
The astonishing rarity of the size and untreated color of this Paraiba would be difficult to overstate. With the exception of this gem, there are no other untreated Brazilian Paraibas over thirty carats known. Also, well over 99% of Paraiba gems are treated with a slow heat to further bring out their neon blue coloring. With its untreated perfect blue color and incomparable size, this gem is the paramount example of the Paraiba’s beauty and grandeur.
Ready to acquire the Cadillac with a history like no other?
The engine bay displays the machinery’s polished chrome
Rolls-Royce used this model to reverse engineer their own multi-cylinder engine
Fleetwood carriage, perfect factory-new interior
With its 154-inch wheelbase, the car is 20' 4" long
In 1934, Rolls-Royce—newly in possession of W.O. Bentley’s firm—recognized that its own engines lagged behind the powerful American multi-cylinder models. The company acquired this very car, ID number 5100024, and shipped it to England for study. Bentley himself drove it for more than 10,000 miles across Europe, declaring it one of the most exceptional automobiles he had ever driven. His assessment directly informed the next generation of Rolls-Royce engines, whose designs incorporated numerous innovations derived from the reverse-engineering of this Cadillac.
The Book of Fleetwood, 1934
The Book of Fleetwood Showing Dimensions of the Town Sedan
This Cadillac's original bill order
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The car’s documentation is remarkable. Its original build order, issued to Rolls-Royce, survives, and records suggest that it later served within the U.S. Embassy fleet in London. Returning to America after the war, it eventually entered the hands of an Oklahoma collector who began a partial restoration, later finished under Steve Nannini, who sourced and professionally engineered every missing component. The restoration—costing hundreds of thousands of dollars—has just been completed, and the restored car has never been shown.
The 1934 model year introduced a new era of elegance, with Fleetwood’s body no. 200 featuring streamlined fenders, a waterfall grille, and biplane bumpers—hallmarks of the Machine Age and Art Deco design. Finished in a deep blue with its beautifully tailored original tan mohair interior, this example embodies the grace of the period. Every element has been meticulously refurbished to factory standards.
Beneath its sculpted hood lies one of the most refined engines of the 1930s. Every wire and line is concealed, its polished aluminum and chrome surfaces gleaming like fine jewelry. Cadillac’s engineers achieved such smoothness that passengers could scarcely perceive motion at seventy miles per hour—a quality that particularly impressed Bentley during his test drives.
In 1981, the gem miner Heitor Dimas Barbosa, commonly known among the local villagers as “Heitor the Fool,” began tunneling in the hill behind São José de Batalha, Paraíba, Brazil. Barbosa was determined that his hunch would lead to finding a new gemstone. Despite having no electricity or dependable water, Barbosa persevered with faith for over six years through the rugged and arid landscape on his quest. In 1987, his efforts were rewarded by the discovery of the first Brazilian Paraiba, a stunning gem that was unlike any stone ever found.
Three years later in 1990, Brazilian Paraibas first appeared at an American gem show and collectors quickly took note. Early skepticism of their mesmerizing vivid blue-green hues and electric glow was quickly replaced by awe. Although these jewels began at the price of $250 per carat, collectors were trading them at $2,500 a carat only six days later. Soon after their discovery, production began to dwindle; over 90% of the tourmaline production occurred between 1989 and 1992. To put their rarity into perspective, less than one Paraiba is mined for every 1,000,000 diamonds, and a good quality Paraiba from Brazil weighing over five carats only seldom comes on the market.
The astonishing rarity of the size and untreated color of this Paraiba would be difficult to overstate. With the exception of this gem, there are no other untreated Brazilian Paraibas over thirty carats known. Also, well over 99% of Paraiba gems are treated with a slow heat to further bring out their neon blue coloring. With its untreated perfect blue color and incomparable size, this gem is the paramount example of the Paraiba’s beauty and grandeur.
Engineering Marvel
Timeless Classic
1934 Cadillac V-16
Fleetwood Town Sedan
Click to view more details
Among the most distinguished automobiles ever built, the 1934 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan stands as a triumph of design and engineering. Representing the pinnacle of American innovation, it remains one of the very few known survivors of Cadillac’s legendary sixteen-cylinder line—each one a marvel of craftsmanship and technological mastery. This example has been restored to absolute, 100-point perfection over nine painstaking years by a leading expert.