Only recently discovered in a remote mountain region of the Caribbean basin,  Larimar is gaining in
popularity among visitors to the Caribbean. The colors of this stone remind many of
the warm inviting waters of the Caribbean. Jewelers are able to fashion the
jewelry to take advantage of this natural beauty. Whether set in gold, silver or
platinum this stone is vary versatile and affordable.
There are several factors typically used to grade the stone,
with color and patterning being the primary ones:
Color – the deeper,
"volcanic" blues are considered to be "best".
Patterning – the richer, more interesting, the
better.
Luster - is it glossy?
Luminosity - does it seem to "glow" or have an
inner light?
Clarity - is it free of obvious defects? (Pits, cracks,
carbon deposits, etc.)
Translucence - can light pass thru a portion of the stone?
Chatoyance - a luminous band with a silky luster (like
that typical of cat's-eye).
There is no one particular factor that determines the
grade; it is a combination of factors. The depth of color alone may not "make or
break" the grade; the pattern and luminosity may bring up the grade of a stone whose
color may not be as deep as others.
When selecting larimar, the stone should speak to
you. The stone you like the most is the stone that's right for you, regardless of
its grading or perceived quality. |
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 The pectolite
("ratholite"), is an acid silicate hydrate of calcium and sodium and is found in
The United States (Michigan, Arkansas, New Jersey, California), Canada, England
(Scotland), India, Austria (Tyrolia), among others. It is a results of volcanic activity,
many million years ago. It's color is a creamy white.
Nevertheless, there is one extinguished volcano complex on the island of La Hispanola
where BLUE pectolite is found, and it has been named "Larimar".
Whether the native Taino indians had been using it as a gemstone is not known.
But one hundered years ago, Miguel Domingo Fuerte Loren of Barahona applied for the
permission of exploration and exploitation as can be found in the documents Dominican
Treasury Department. Whether this was granted or not, we don't know. But -as strange as it
seems- the mine was forgotten.
In 1974, at the coast of Barahona, Norman Rilling, a member of the American "Peace
Corps" in company of the Dominican Miguel Méndez, finds blue pebbles at the stony
beach of Barahona at the west coast of the Dominican Republic. As they start searching
upstream the Bahoruco river, they find the mine again. In 1975, the exploitation starts
and now you will find about 2000 or more digging holes reaching far into the mountain.
Larimar carries the essence of the sea
and the sky. Water relates to emotion, air relates to thought. Therefore
it is thought that Larimar is a connection between thought and feeling.
It
"unites" the heart and the mind with its peace and tranquility. A
wonderful gift for someone who is struggling to find balance &
purpose.
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Larimar