Larimar is one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world. It is an extremely rare blue variety of pectolite. It is found only in one location; a mountainous, highly inaccessible region of Barahona Province in the Dominican Republic.
When Was Larimar First Discovered?
The first recorded mention of the stone was in 1916 when a request was made to mine larimar. However, larimar had been known to the local inhabitants of the region and their ancestors for a very long time. Due to the beautiful blue colour, people thought the stone was created by the ocean.It wasn’t until 1974 that larimar came into the spotlight. A US Peace Corps and a local Dominican (Norman Rilling and Miguel Méndez), found some pieces of larimar along the beach and decided to explore this stone further. Local legends said the shores used to be filled with larimar but it became very hard to find so they explored upstream and found large formations of beautiful blue larimar. Pieces of larimar had broken off large outcrops and travelled down the river to the Caribbean Sea. These two men travelled upstream along the river system and extensive quantities of larimar were rediscovered.
The name larimar comes from a combination of the name Larissa (Miguel Méndez’s daughter) and ‘mar’ which is the Spanish word for ‘sea’.
How Was Larimar Formed?
Larimar was formed during underwater volcanic activity, tens of millions of years ago. During this activity, hydrothermal fluids rose through cavities in the volcanic rock, depositing a mix of minerals along the way. After cooling, larimar was formed. In order to find larimar, people must first look for these volcanic tubes and dig deeply around them. The stones are also extremely difficult to locate manually due to their small size (mostly under 1 cm), as well as their specific location deep within extremely inaccessible rock formations.
What Is Larimar Made From?
Larimar is a compact form of fibrous pectolite which is a silicate mineral. Pectolite fibres are generally not cohesive, which means that the stone tends to break into pieces quite easily. However, larimar is formed when these fibres become more intertwined and cohesive, forming a strong coherent material which makes larimar far harder than normal pectolites.
How Does Larimar Get Its Blue Colour?
Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite. Larimar crystals come in shades of white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue and are usually mottled with white veins. Although the colour ranges from white to shades of blue, the most sought after stones are usually light blue or aqua green. It is not too common for larimar to be pure white and sparkly like other types of pectolites.
The reason for the blue variation in colouring is due to traces of copper within its structure which appear due to copper substitution for calcium.
Why Larmiar Goes With Sterling Silver.
One of the reasons why larimar goes so well with sterling silver earrings is that the cool blue hues of the gemstone complement the bright, shiny appearance of sterling silver. Sterling silver is a highly reflective metal that can enhance the natural beauty of the larimar gemstone and add to its overall appeal.
Another reason why larimar is often paired with sterling silver is that both materials are lightweight and comfortable to wear. Sterling silver is a popular choice for earrings because it is a durable, affordable and hypoallergenic metal that is easy to work with. Larimar, on the other hand, is a relatively soft stone that is easy to carve and shape into various forms.
Overall, the combination of larimar and sterling silver creates a beautiful contrast that is both elegant and timeless. Whether you prefer a simple stud or a more elaborate design, larimar and sterling silver earrings are a classic choice that can complement a wide range of outfits and occasions.
Conclusion
Larimar is a beautiful and sought-after gemstone. The rarity makes it one of the few gemstones that can be considered both exotic and affordable at the same time. It has an interesting history, and we have learned about its creation process.
The blue colour of larimar has been compared with that of the summer sky or of sea water as it tumbles onto a beach, and its soft green undertones may have a calming effect on those who wear it.