Larimar Stone - What is it and Where Does It Come From

r stones or dolphin stones are a rare form ofprovince of Barahona which were washed into the
Pectolite (a white to gray mineral) that is foundsea by Bahoruco river.
only on the Domician Republic of Caribbean island.So an upstream search was performed and soon
The general colour of this stone varies fromthe Los Chupaderos mine was found. At present
white to green blue and sometimes dark blue.the mine is exploited by “Cooperative de
Geological SpecificationsExtractores de Larimar” and the
The Larmiar stone is one of the Pectolites. This“Associacion de Extractores de Larimar” and
stone has a moss hardness of 5 to 7, while thethe raw material comes via the open market
darkest being the closest to 7, although mostfacility.
commonly the hardness varies between 4.5 andWhy Unique
5. It has a triclinic formation of crystal with itsThe Larimar stones find their use mainly in
colour ranging between several kinds of bluesjewelry, the foremost reason being its beauty.
namely sky blue, green blue, light blue and deepFirstly, blue is a rare colour for gems and
blue; and a luster of Vitreous to Silky. Though notsecondly, the gem itself is very rare as it is found
seen in its compact form, the stone has aonly on the Domician Republic. The beauty and
perfect cleavage in two directions and findsthe low supply alone boost up its price as jewelry.
extensive use in ornamental stones and semiIt is typically mounted on silver (and rarely on
precious stones.gold) and offered as a Caribbean specialty.
HistoryThe wholesale Larimar jewelry is also sold on
On 22nd November of the year 1916 Fatherother parts of the world. Moreover, the folklores
Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren applied for approvaland legends about this stone is often responsible
of the Ministry of Mining Department of Domicianfor its uniqueness. Legend has it that this stone
Republic to mine for Larimar beads. But nobodyhelps us view events from distant perspectives,
paid heed to him and he was rejected. Then inpromotes divisional wisdom and heals our physical,
1974, the stone was rediscovered by Miguelemotional, mental and spiritual body. It is even
Mendez and Peace Corps volunteer Norman Rilling.prescribed by some as a stress and anxiety
The stone was known to the natives for manyremover.
days and they used to believe that it originatesWith its jewelry having a growing market, mining
from the sea.of wholesale Larimar stones is a risky business
So, Miguel took the name of her daughter Larissafor the miners, especially in the rainy season.
and took the Spanish word for ‘sea’ i.e.Because of low funding, they have to use manual
mar and combined them into forming Larimar. Atools which can be extremely difficult and
few stones were found were at the coastalhazardous over time.