Spotlight on Larimar - The Caribbean's blue treasure gemstone

Deep within the volcanic mountains of the Dominican Republic lies one of the world's most enchanting gemstones—Larimar.

With its mesmerizing sky-blue hues that mirror the waves of the Caribbean Sea, this rare stone has captivated collectors, jewellers, and spiritual practitioners worldwide. Often called the "Atlantis Stone" or "Dolphin Stone," Larimar represents tranquillity, healing, and the serene beauty of tropical waters.

Origin and Geological Formation

Larimar is an extremely rare variety of pectolite, a mineral typically found in white or gray.

What makes Larimar extraordinary is its stunning blue coloration, caused by copper substitution within its crystal structure.

This unique geological phenomenon occurs only in one place on Earth—the Baoruco mountain range in the Dominican Republic.

The intensity of the blue color varies depending on the concentration of copper present during formation, ranging from pale sky blue to deep ocean blue with white patterns resembling clouds or sea foam.

The exclusivity of larimar's location makes it one of the world's rarest gemstones. Unlike diamonds or rubies that can be found across multiple continents, Larimar exists nowhere else on Earth, adding to its mystique and value.

Caribbean Ocean

A rich history and cultural significance

The discovery of Larimar has an almost mythical quality. While local Dominican people were aware of the blue stones for generations, it wasn't officially recognised until 1974.

Miguel Méndez, a local Dominican, and Norman Rilling, a Peace Corps volunteer, rediscovered the stone on a beach near the Baoruco Mountains.

Méndez named the stone "Larimar" by combining his daughter's name, Larissa, with "mar," the Spanish word for sea - a fitting tribute to its ocean-like appearance. The timing of this discovery coincided with the growing New Age movement, which quickly embraced larimar for its supposed metaphysical properties.

Indigenous Taíno people, who inhabited the Dominican Republic before European colonisation, may have known about Larimar long before its modern rediscovery. Some legends suggest they considered the blue stones sacred, believing they came from the sea itself.

In 1979, the Dominican government officially declared Larimar the national gemstone, recognising its unique importance to the country's cultural and economic heritage. Today, larimar mining provides livelihoods for many Dominican families and contributes significantly to the local economy.

Honeycomb bracelet with Larimar drop

Physical Properties and Characteristics

Larimar possesses several distinctive physical properties that make it both beautiful and challenging to work with:

• Hardness and Durability: With a Mohs hardness rating of 4.5 to 5, Larimar is relatively soft compared to traditional precious stones like diamonds (10) or sapphires (9). This softness makes it somewhat vulnerable to scratches and chips, requiring careful handling and setting in jewellery.

• Colour range: The most prized Larimar displays intense sky-blue to blue-green colours with white veining that resembles sunlight dancing on water. The colour can vary dramatically even within a single stone, creating unique patterns that make each piece one-of-a-kind.

• Translucency: High-quality Larimar exhibits a subtle translucency that gives it an inner glow, enhancing its ocean-like appearance. Lower grades may appear more opaque.

  
  

Larimar Swirl necklace

Uses in Jewellery and decorative arts

Larimar's stunning appearance has made it increasingly popular in contemporary jewellery design. Its soft, oceanic colours complement both casual and formal attire, making it versatile for various jewellery applications:

• Jewellery applications: Larimar is most commonly set as cabochons in rings, pendants, and earrings. Its relatively soft nature requires protective settings, often with bezel or closed-back mountings rather than prong settings. Many designers pair larimar with silver, as the cool tones complement each other beautifully, though gold settings can create striking contrasts.

• Artistic carvings: Skilled artisans in the Dominican Republic create intricate carvings from larger larimar pieces, including figurines, decorative bowls, and sculptural objects. These pieces showcase the stone's natural patterns and colour variations.

• Beaded Jewellery: Larimar beads are popular for creating necklaces and bracelets, though their softness requires careful stringing and wearing to prevent damage.

  
  
  
  

Metaphysical Properties and Spiritual Uses

Larimar and Sterling Silver bracelet

Practitioners attribute various properties to the stone

• Emotional healing: Many believe Larimar promotes emotional balance, reduces stress, and encourages clear communication. Its serene blue colour is thought to have a calming effect on both mind and emotions.

• Throat Chakra Connection: In chakra healing practices, Larimar is associated with the throat chakra, supposedly enhancing communication skills and self-expression.

• Meditation aid: The stone's tranquil appearance makes it popular for meditation practices, with users reporting enhanced feelings of peace and connection to water elements.

• Feminine energy: Some practitioners associate Larimar with divine feminine energy and goddess worship, particularly deities connected to the sea and sky.

Whether or not one believes in these metaphysical properties, many people find Larimar's natural beauty inherently calming and inspiring.

Larimar Swirl Earrings

Proper Care and Maintenance

Due to its relative softness and sensitivity, larimar requires special care to maintain its beauty:

• Cleaning guidelines: Clean larimar gently using warm water and mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and steam cleaning, which can damage the stone. Use a soft brush to remove dirt from crevices, then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

• Storage recommendations: Store larimar jewellery separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching. Wrap pieces in soft cloth or keep them in individual compartments of a jewellery box.

• Wearing Precautions: Remove larimar jewellery before engaging in sports, cleaning, or manual labour. The stone's softness makes it susceptible to impacts and abrasion.

• Professional Maintenance: Have larimar jewellery inspected regularly by a jeweler familiar with the stone. Settings may need adjustment over time, and minor scratches can often be polished out by professionals.

• Heat Sensitivity: Avoid exposing larimar to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods, as this may affect its colour or cause cracking.

Larimar, Aquamarine and Silver bracelet

Investment and Market Considerations

As Larimar's single source of origin becomes increasingly depleted, prices have risen steadily over the past decade. High-quality specimens with intense blue colour and minimal white veining command premium prices. Factors affecting value include:

• Colour intensity and uniformity

• Size and shape of the stone

• Clarity and translucency

• Origin authenticity and certification

• Overall craftsmanship in finished pieces

  
  

Conclusion

Larimar stands as one of nature's most remarkable creations - a gemstone that captures the essence of tropical seas in solid form. Its unique origin story, stunning beauty, and cultural significance make it far more than just another pretty stone. Whether appreciated for its geological rarity, artistic applications, or perceived spiritual properties, larimar continues to enchant people worldwide.

As this Caribbean treasure becomes increasingly rare, each piece represents not just natural beauty but also a connection to the volcanic forces that shaped the Dominican Republic millions of years ago.

Visit our collection page to view all our Larimar pieces.