Larimar Jewelry  

What is Larimar?

Larimar is a gemstone found in the Dominican Republic. It is a variety of Pectolite and is extremely rare. It forms needle-like crystals which are grown together in a solid mass, forming cavities with basaltic lava. Larimar contains copper instead of calcium and this produces exquisite translucent hues of soft blue, turquoise and white marked with streaks or patterns of white. Larimar may also have red or brown areas which are caused by oxidation or Hematite inclusions.

The brighter the blue and the greater the contrast within the stone means the more expensive and rarer the gemstone is. Sadly, the blue is photosensitive and can fade with time if it is exposed to heat or light.

Larimar Jewelry

Pectolite is usually a very delicate mineral which consists of dense radiating fibers but in larimar these fibers are tough and interlocking to make it very solid. The larimar variety is of the tough type hence its ability to withstand carving and faceting. This, combined with its distinctive color, makes it a very special media for creating bespoke jewelry pieces.

Most larimar jewelry produced is set in silver, but occasionally high-grade larimar is also set in gold. The blue color associated with larimar makes this jewelry a great accessory for summer outfits as it reflects the color of the Caribbean Sea.

Other Names for Larimar

Larimar is known by many other names. It is also known as Dolphin Stone, Atlantis Stone, Stefilia’s Stone and Blue Pectolite. Larimar was first discovered in 1916 but when it was rediscovered in 1974 the Miguel Méndez, the Dominican who found it named it by taking the first three letters of his daughter's name and the word "mar" for sea.

What Color is Larimar?

Larimar has a very distinctive color. Because of the copper inclusions it is rarely solid. There are usually blue with interconnecting rough circles and white lines. A radiating pattern of crystal needs is also typically present within larimar. The blue color varies in intensity from very light to greenish-blue. The most desirable larimar, particularly for jewelry has less white and deeper blue colors.

The only disadvantage of larimar is that it is a soft gemstone and as such can be easily scratched. It may also fade if it experiences prolonged exposition to strong sunlight. Both factors mean that its popularity for mainstream jewelry is slightly limited. Nevertheless, the unique color and designs mean that anyone looking for a special item to go with a summer outfit won't be disappointed. The blue color is particularly stunning when worn with pastel colors.