Larimar Gemstone
Larimar Gemstone
Larimar was said to be originally discovered in 1916 but no record of its locality was kept. It was Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren who first came upon the stones during a morning walk onshore and was so intrigued by its beauty that he had requested the Dominican Republic for permission to explore the source of the stones but his request was turned down. The indigenous people of the Dominican Republic had believed that the stones came from the sea.
Thus, the true source of Larimar was never found until sixty years later in 1974 when Miguel Mendez came upon this stunning ocean blue stone and was determined to find its source. He and Norman Rilling went looking for it and were told that it could be found on the beach. They then found out that these stones were carried downstream by the Bahoruco river from deep in the mountains. An upstream search revealed small outcroppings of the blue rock which we now know is the only known Larimar Deposit in the world.
Samples of the blue stone were sent to several geologists including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. They discovered from their analysis that this stone was an unknown member of the Pectolite family.
However "Blue Pectolite" is hardly a name to reflect such a splendid stone with its blues so evocative of the Caribbean seas. Miguel Méndez decided to name the stone Larimar after his daughter Larissa and the Spanish word for the sea "mar". Larissa is Greek and it could mean Nymph or Citadel; either name describes the Blue Pectolite beautifully: I.e., the Nymph of the Sea.
Larimar, the blue variety of Pectolite, has been sold as a gemstone from 1974 till today.
Larimar is the blue variety of the sodium calcium hydroxide mineral known as Pectolite, a mineral that is too soft and fragile to be cut as a gemstone. However Blue Pectolite has densely packed and entwined crystals enabling it to be strong enough to be used as a gemstone.
Larimar ranges from 4.5 – 5 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes it relatively soft for a gemstone. But the bluer the stone, the harder it is. Deep blue sections of the gemstone can be rated as high as 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Larimar has a silky luster and a weak green fluorescence.
Blue Pectolite is a rare variety found only in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Its coloration varies from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue, reminiscent of the ocean colours of the Caribbean.
'Larimar' is the trademark name for this popular blue Pectolite. It has been called the Stefilia Stone, Dolphin Stone and the Atlantis Stone.
The blue color of Larimar is due to the presence of copper and manganese. Note, only blue Pectolite can be identified as Larimar. Green Pectolite is sometimes traded as Larimar as it is considered more valuable. It is also sometimes misleadingly traded as 'Pectolite Jade'. Furthermore, Larimar comes with white streaks.
As it has a low hardness, Larimar jewelry is often protected in a bezel-style setting.
Larimar is not treated in any way to enhance its beautiful color. However cheap white stones may be dyed blue to imitate Larimar.
Larimar is opaque so if you can hold it up to light, check that no light comes through even at the edges as this could be an indicator of painted glass or dyed quartz.
Volcanic Blue Larimar has a rich deep blue color that is the most desired and at the same time most valuable. Sky blue with cloud-like patterns are also highly priced.
Larimar is usually opaque and is often cut en cabochons or dome shapes to display the beautiful bewitching blue color and the enchanting cloud-like patterns.
Larimar is referred to as the Atlantis Stone as it carries the energy and life-giving force of water and has the vibrational powers of the ancient Island of Atlantis.
Its soothing energy relaxes you, relieves stress and brings inner peace and calm. Stress is known as the silent killer. It is the cause of many physical and mental illnesses. Larimar is the perfect stone to wear or carry around for relief of any feelings of unease.
It is the stone to use in meditation.
It helps the wearer deny irrational fears. For example, the fear of flying, the fear of public speaking, the fear of spiders. Larimar can help relax you, get rid of your shyness and overcome any anxiety arising from these unfound fears.
Larimar is found ONLY in the Dominican Republic (this fact alone should cause some awe). Therefore, it is rare which means that prices are usually not cheap. Beware of any Larimar that you can buy at bargain prices.
Larimar is photosensitive. In order to prevent color loss, avoid exposing it to prolonged strong heat and sunlight.
Clean your Larimar using a soft cloth with warm soapy water. Remember to rinse and remove all soap residue from your gemstone.
Larimar, the blue Pectolite, can only be found in the Filipinas Mine in Los Checheses in the Province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Worthy of note is the fact that the Caribbean Amber and Larimar are the only gemstones found in the Caribbean.
Larimar was said to be originally discovered in 1916 but no record of its locality was kept. It was Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren who first came upon the stones during a morning walk onshore and was so intrigued by its beauty that he had requested the Dominican Republic for permission to explore the source of the stones but his request was turned down. The indigenous people of the Dominican Republic had believed that the stones came from the sea.
Thus, the true source of Larimar was never found until sixty years later in 1974 when Miguel Mendez came upon this stunning ocean blue stone and was determined to find its source. He and Norman Rilling went looking for it and were told that it could be found on the beach. They then found out that these stones were carried downstream by the Bahoruco river from deep in the mountains. An upstream search revealed small outcroppings of the blue rock which we now know is the only known Larimar Deposit in the world.
Samples of the blue stone were sent to several geologists including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. They discovered from their analysis that this stone was an unknown member of the Pectolite family.
However "Blue Pectolite" is hardly a name to reflect such a splendid stone with its blues so evocative of the Caribbean seas. Miguel Méndez decided to name the stone Larimar after his daughter Larissa and the Spanish word for the sea "mar". Larissa is Greek and it could mean Nymph or Citadel; either name describes the Blue Pectolite beautifully: I.e., the Nymph of the Sea.
Larimar, the blue variety of Pectolite, has been sold as a gemstone from 1974 till today.
Larimar is the blue variety of the sodium calcium hydroxide mineral known as Pectolite, a mineral that is too soft and fragile to be cut as a gemstone. However Blue Pectolite has densely packed and entwined crystals enabling it to be strong enough to be used as a gemstone.
Larimar ranges from 4.5 – 5 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes it relatively soft for a gemstone. But the bluer the stone, the harder it is. Deep blue sections of the gemstone can be rated as high as 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Larimar has a silky luster and a weak green fluorescence.
Blue Pectolite is a rare variety found only in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Its coloration varies from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue, reminiscent of the ocean colours of the Caribbean.
'Larimar' is the trademark name for this popular blue Pectolite. It has been called the Stefilia Stone, Dolphin Stone and the Atlantis Stone.
The blue color of Larimar is due to the presence of copper and manganese. Note, only blue Pectolite can be identified as Larimar. Green Pectolite is sometimes traded as Larimar as it is considered more valuable. It is also sometimes misleadingly traded as 'Pectolite Jade'. Furthermore, Larimar comes with white streaks.
As it has a low hardness, Larimar jewelry is often protected in a bezel-style setting.
Larimar is not treated in any way to enhance its beautiful color. However cheap white stones may be dyed blue to imitate Larimar.
Larimar is opaque so if you can hold it up to light, check that no light comes through even at the edges as this could be an indicator of painted glass or dyed quartz.
Volcanic Blue Larimar has a rich deep blue color that is the most desired and at the same time most valuable. Sky blue with cloud-like patterns are also highly priced.
Larimar is usually opaque and is often cut en cabochons or dome shapes to display the beautiful bewitching blue color and the enchanting cloud-like patterns.
Larimar is referred to as the Atlantis Stone as it carries the energy and life-giving force of water and has the vibrational powers of the ancient Island of Atlantis.
Its soothing energy relaxes you, relieves stress and brings inner peace and calm. Stress is known as the silent killer. It is the cause of many physical and mental illnesses. Larimar is the perfect stone to wear or carry around for relief of any feelings of unease.
It is the stone to use in meditation.
It helps the wearer deny irrational fears. For example, the fear of flying, the fear of public speaking, the fear of spiders. Larimar can help relax you, get rid of your shyness and overcome any anxiety arising from these unfound fears.
Larimar is found ONLY in the Dominican Republic (this fact alone should cause some awe). Therefore, it is rare which means that prices are usually not cheap. Beware of any Larimar that you can buy at bargain prices.
Larimar is photosensitive. In order to prevent color loss, avoid exposing it to prolonged strong heat and sunlight.
Clean your Larimar using a soft cloth with warm soapy water. Remember to rinse and remove all soap residue from your gemstone.
Larimar, the blue Pectolite, can only be found in the Filipinas Mine in Los Checheses in the Province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Worthy of note is the fact that the Caribbean Amber and Larimar are the only gemstones found in the Caribbean.