Larimar was discovered less than three decades ago, and its fame was instantaneous, which is why it was determined to be one of those rare gems, found only in one place in the whole world, this means that Larimar is not only charming but it is extremely different.

The  rare  variety of  pectolite

Larimar is a variety of pectolite, or a rock composed largely of pectolite, of calcium sodium silicate acid hydrate. Although pectolite is found in many places, none have the unique blue coloration of Larimar. This blue color, different from that of other pectolites, is the result of the replacement of cobalt by calcium.

Where does larimar come from?

The only locality where Larimar, or blue Pectolite, appears on the earth’s crust, is the province of Barahona, in the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic. The larimar mine is located in the town of Los Chupaderos approximately 10 km, in the mountains, near the city of Barahona. It is currently the place where the larimar is the most abundant.

When was larimar discovered

On November 22, 1916, Miguel Domingo Fuertes de Loren from the parish of Barahona asked permission from the Ministry of the Dominican Republic to explore and exploit a mine that he had discovered and that contained a blue rock. Since no one knew what the priest was referring to, the request fell into the water and the discovery of the blue stone was delayed.

Then it was only in 1974, at the foot of the Bahoruco chain, in the coastal province of Barahona, that a blue band in the sand attracted the attention of Miguel Méndez and volunteer Norman Rilling. These dug and rediscovered the larimar. The indigenous people, who thought that the stone came from the sea, called it the “blue stone”. Miguel Méndez gave him the name of LARIMAR associating the name of his daughter LARIssa, and the SEA ( MAR  in Spanish)

It turns out that the stones found were alluvial sediment, washed in the sea by the Bahoruco river.

A bottom-up investigation indicated that the Los Chupaderos mine was the only known larimar mine in the world and the larimar was classified in 1979 as a semi-precious stone.

What is the larimar stone and how was it created?

The island of Hispaniola began to form as a result of volcanic eruptions, around 100 million years ago. A new mountain was formed with the Bahoruco chain in the southwest of the island, starting from its eastern part. The formation of the larimar is highlighted by basalts and andesites. Volcanic phenomena favored the association of chemical elements. Then a very rare association was formed in nature: silicon-oxygen with sodium and calcium elements.

This is how compact concretions of small masses were formed in adequate proportions, but randomly. In geology they are known under the name of pectolites: A secondary rock. Due to the high temperature to which the incandescent mass is subjected, the crystallization of a mineralogical variety known under the name of pectolite occurs.

The crystallization of this pectolite was done inside volcanic chimneys where the incandescent matter was pushed by the gas. Therefore, the exploitation of the stone depends on the location of these chimneys. The extraction is made more and more deeply in the ancient volcano.

Jewelry

Larimar jewelry is available in the Dominican Republic.

Most of the jewelery produced links the larimar with silver, but often the higher quality stones are linked to gold. The quality of the stone is evaluated according to its coloration: the bluer the stone, the more precious the stone is considered. High quality jewelery uses stones between sky blue and deep blue, often joining these two shades.

Some green colorations are also known but are not considered good, unless the green is intense.

The red colorations in the pectolite indicate traces of iron. It should be noted that pectolites are photosensitive, so the Larimar loses its blue coloration over the years.

what does larimar represent

In metaphysical circles it is said that this colored gemstone can heal; like most crystals and precious stones.

However there is no scientific proof in this regard.

This pectolite is a feminine stone of extreme softness, provides calm and balance, and would facilitate childbirth

On a psychological level it would bring serenity and love in your environment  and stimulate creativity.

Where to buy larimar in punta cana

Throughout Punta Cana you can find jewelry and amulets based on larimar.

If you are in one of the Punta Cana hotels, you can take advantage of our free shopping tour and visit a jewelry section with different stone s colors