Larimar was originally discovered in the year 1916 in Bahoruco/Barahona, southwest of the Dominican Republic, by the Spanish born priest Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren, who reported this discovery to the archbishop Nouel in Santo Domingo. No mining action was taken at that time.
It was not until 1974 the American Peace Corps Volunteer, Norman Rilling and the Dominican Miguel Mendez, rediscovered this stone on the beaches of Barahona, close to the alluvial of the river Bahoruco. This stone was analyzed by several geologists, as well as the Smithsonian Institute in the USA and they all agreed that this stone has a volcanic origin and belongs to the group of pectolites with the exception that this is the only blue pectolite found in the whole world until now.
The mines are located in the mountains of Bahoruco in the province of Barahona, southwest of this second largest Caribbean island. Most mining is open pit, with miners using only pick, shovel and hammer to break the weathered basalt in search of this Larimar stone. Efforts have been made by the Dominican Government to modernize the mining system. So far the available quantity in the mines is unknown, which makes the supply of this fascinating Larimar stone uncertain in the long run.
This semi-precious stone was named after Mendez’s daughter “Larissa” (abbreviation) and the Spanish word for sea “Mar”. Like the Caribbean Sea, Larimar gemstone reflects the different blue colors, from deep to light shades and jade green, often sparkled with the white and grey clouds color, peppered now and then with dendrites.
Larimar has also been named ”Atlantis Stone” by several new age philosophies, who believe that the island (Dominican Republic) was part of the lost continent of Atlantis associating it to the healing stones, including several other properties.
Larimar is in high demand and exported to several countries all around the world where it is mainly used for jewelry, among theme Larimar rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings and Larimar Necklaces. The settings of the Larimar jewelry will tell you where it was made!! Dominican artisan use very simple 925 silver settings whereas the artisan from India, Indonesia and other Asian countries have a more elaborated silver settings giving it a ancient look.
Prices of Larimar Stone, as well as, Larimar jewelry will depend on the stone quality and craftsmanship. The deeper blue colors are more expensive than the lighter blue colors, but what makes this stone so unique is it marvelous variety of blue, blue green colors and patterns, making of each jewel something special!
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