Larimar is also known as the Dolphin Stone, Blue Pectolite, Atlantis Stone, and Stefilia's Stone.Originally discovered in 1916, it was named by the Dominican who re-discovered it in 1974, taking the first letters of his daughter's name, Larissa, and the Spanish word for the sea, mar, to create Larimar.
Evaluating Larimar’s Color
Larimar gets its coloring from the presence of copper inclusions present during the stone’s formation. It comes in a variety of blue shades, from faint to vivid volcanic blue. You will also come across greenish-blue larimar. It is rare to find solid blue larimar and almost all larimar contains some swirls of white coloring. The most valuable variety is the vivid blue gemstones known as volcanic blue, which contain little whitish marbling. This is also the variety that is most in demand and can fetch high prices. In contrast, whitish larimar with very faint color are considered the least valuable.
Larimar gets its coloring from the presence of copper inclusions present during the stone’s formation. It comes in a variety of blue shades, from faint to vivid volcanic blue. You will also come across greenish-blue larimar. It is rare to find solid blue larimar and almost all larimar contains some swirls of white coloring. The most valuable variety is the vivid blue gemstones known as volcanic blue, which contain little whitish marbling. This is also the variety that is most in demand and can fetch high prices. In contrast, whitish larimar with very faint color are considered the least valuable.
Larimar History
The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Mining records show that Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren of the Barahona Parish requested permission on 22 November 1916 to explore and exploit the mine of a certain blue rock that he had discovered. Pectolites were not yet known in the Dominican Republic, and the request was rejected.
Miguel Méndez and Peace Corps volunteer Norman Riling rediscovered Larimar in 1974 on a beach at the foot of the Bahoruco Mountain Range, the coastal province of Barahona. Natives believed that the stone came from the sea, and they called the gem Blue Stone. Miguel took his young daughter's name Larissa and the Spanish word for marine (mar) and formed Larimar.
Sources Of Larimar
Larimar is one of the cardinal Water element stones, yet is born of Fire in its volcanic origins. A rare blue variety of Pectolite, Larimar is found only in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. It occurs as needle-like crystals, grown together in a solid mass and forms in cavities within basaltic lava.
Larimar Gematone Clarity
Larimar is commonly opaque in appearance, although it is possible to find faintly translucent varieties too. The gemstone exhibits an attritive silky smooth luster. The copper substitution in Pectolite instead of calcium produces beautiful translucent shades of soft blues. The more intense the blue and contrast within the stone, the rarer and higher its value.
Choosing Larimar Cut
Although larimar is a softer gemstone (4.5 to 5 Mohs rating) it is quite tough due to the structure of the inclusions within it and can be cut into a variety of shapes. Most larimar on the market is cut an cabochon to enhance and show off the stone’s silky luster and color. However, you can also find faceted stones, although this is quite rare.
Larimar Jewelry and Uses
Larimar looks beautiful in all types of jewelry, especially in earrings, pendants and bracelets. It can also be used in rings. Some excellent setting choices for larimar include bezel, halo and inlay settings. Larimar is typically crafted with silver, but high quality gemstones are often set into precious metals like gold. Larimar in yellow gold settings have a sophisticated and vintage vibe to them while larimar in silver settings have less color contrast and displays a more relaxed, casual look.
We supply Best quality Natural ''Larimar" in above mentioned cuts.