Gem Profile- Larimar

by Judy Ellis

I've often wondered if I love volcanoes because of the beautiful rocks that come from the process, or just for the simple reason that they explode - it's kind of a toss-up. I'm leaning more toward the fact that volcanoes, through their incredible power, create spectacular and fascinating rocks. One of the most beautiful and rare among the rocks created from the volcanic process is Larimar.

When I first saw a picture of Larimar, it reminded me of a movie scene where the star runs from an exploding building, and the camera slows to capture the blast filling the screen.

Looking at a piece of Larimar, you see clouds of steam rising from a volcano.

The finger-like projections of superheated groundwater mix with the earth to form sodium calcium silicate hydroxide an explosion frozen in time.

Judy Copeland wrapped this larimar pendant in gold-filled wire with a focal freshwater pearl surrounded in twisted gold-filled filigree.

The chemical name for Larimar is pectolite, a mineral found worldwide under various names, including sugilite.

Larimar is a blue pectolite, with cobalt replacing some of the calcium in the formula NaCa2Si3O8(OH).

While blue pectolite exists in places like the U.S. and Canada, only the pectolite from a one-square-kilometer area in the Dominican Republic qualifies as Larimar.
It is the only source with this unique chemical composition and color.

Pale blue larimar pendant by Karen McCoun - see the beautiful translucence and patterning?

How Larimar was Discovered

Larimar was officially discovered in 1974 by Peace Corps member Norman Rilling and Dominican man Miguel Mendez.

They were intrigued by the beautiful blue stones along the seashore and traced their source by following the Bahoruco River to a remote mountain area.

Mendez named the stone Larimar, combining his daughter Larissa's name with "mar," the Spanish word for sea.

Although 1974 marks the official discovery, native Dominicans had known about Larimar for generations.

Silver-wrapped larimar pendant by Karen McCoun

Mining Larimar is very difficult and dangerous. The mines are located in a heavily forested, half-mile-square area of the Dominican mountains.

Flooding and heavy rains can keep the mines closed for up to five months a year. During hurricane season, entire mountainsides can turn into rivers of mud, making access nearly impossible.

Larimar forms in finger-like veins. Once a shaft is discovered, local villagers, who have mined Larimar for most of their lives, dig by hand hundreds of feet into the dormant volcano to extract the stone.

This type of mining, though hazardous, helps preserve the rainforest.

It also makes mining and transporting the stone challenging.

Rebecca House made these Argentium silver Ear Climbers from larimar beads and sterling silver bead accents.

Larimar Properties

Larimar is also known as Atlantis Stone, named after a prediction by psychic Edgar Cayce (1877-1945). He foretold that a blue stone with incredible healing powers would be found in the Caribbean. Many believe Larimar is the stone Cayce described.

Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, is thought by some to be a remnant of the fabled sunken city of Atlantis.

This connection adds to Larimar's mystical reputation.

Larimar is said to bring peace, balance between head and heart, and protection from negative energy.

The stone is also believed to attract success and even one's "soul mate."

Delores Heiden wrapped this larimar cabochon in Argentium silver wire; cabochon by Darryl Heiden

Larimar ranks 4.5-5 on the Mohs hardness scale and should be handled with care. Pendants and earrings are the safest settings for the stone.

If you want a ring, use a protective setting to prevent damage.

Wire jewelry artist Judy Copeland shared instructions she received when purchasing Larimar:

"Don't expose the stone to too much sun or light as the color can fade. If this happens, soak the stone in plain water for 24 hours to restore the color."

Judy followed these steps, and the stone's color became even more vibrant and beautiful.

Linda Pope created these Larimar earrings using 12mm Larimar beads, Opalite drops and crystals, crystal spacers, and Sterling Silver wire.

There is not a grading system for Larimar as the color is really a personal preference, but it comes in colors that range from the most familiar sea blue to a deeper greenish blue and even white.

I have seen several stones online that are said to be Larimar but are obvious fakes - they don't have the translucent quality, chromatic graining, and depth that natural Larimar stones have.

Jane Duke wire wrapped this larimar cabochon, forming a wire bracelet adorned with pearls

Road trip: Larimar Mines

Road trip! We're heading to the Dominican Republic, so pack your swimsuit and sunscreen.

Don't forget hiking boots if you plan to visit the mines.

Our first stop is the Larimar Museum in Santo Domingo, the country's capital. The first floor has a gift shop and a small factory where workers create jewelry from Larimar and amber, another stone found in the Dominican Republic.

The second floor offers a self-guided tour of Larimar's history, starting from a beautiful mahogany staircase with Larimar inlays.

Linda Barton created her "Sail Away" pendant, wrapping two Larimar stones in sterling silver wire. Measures 3″x2″.
and
Another pale, translucent larimar pendant by Karen McCoun in silver.
and
Delores Heiden wrapped this larimar cabochon in 14kt gold-filled wire; Darryl Heiden cabbed the stone for the pendant.

Resources & Recommended Reading

More about Larimar: www.blueturtles.com.au
Larimar's metaphysical properties: lifestreasureskauai.com

Reading
Larronde, S. Romancing the Stone. Americas (serial online). July 2007: 59(4):5. Available from: Literary Reference Center, Ipswich, MA.

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