Larimar Stone

Larimar is a rare stone found only in the Dominican Republic. Its coloration varies in a range that contains white, light blue, sky blue and turquoise. In a single stone, you can find different shades of color, making it unique.


Istory

In 1974, at the foot of the mountain range in the coastal province of Barahona, a local artisan named Miguel Méndez discovered Larimar while walking on a beach.

He named it after his young daughter’s name Larissa and the Spanish word for sea (mar) and formed Larimar.

Inspired by the ocean and the colors of the water of the Caribbean Sea, where it was found.

The few stones that they found were alluvial sediment, washed into the sea by the Bahoruco River. An upstream search revealed the in situ outcrops in the range and soon the Los Chupaderos mine was formed.

Geology

Larimar is a variety of pectolite, which is found in many locations however none have the unique coloration of ocean blues as Larimar.

Larimar was created by the volcanic activity that shaped the Caribbean.

Volcanic activity blasted the lava onshore and over the centuries it was forged and tumbled to get the ocean-inspired look that Larimar has today. As the small amount of stone was tumbled down the rivers toward the sea it started to polish and become enriched by the surround minerals to get its unique look.


References:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larimar