Larimar is a rare gemstone found exclusively in a small inaccessible region of the Dominican Republic. A variety of pectolite, an acid silicate hydrate of calcium and sodium, original inhabitants of this country have long been aware of this extremely rare stone, but it was first qualified as a gemstone in 1974 by Miguel Mendez. Pectolite is found in nearly every hemisphere, but none have the unique volcanic blue coloration of Larimar or the Atlantis Stone. The most important source of blue pectolite or the Larimar is Los Chupaderos, situated 10 kilometers southwest of Barahona, in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic. Los Chupaderos is basically a single mountainside perforated with approximately 2000 vertical holes, surrounded by rainforest vegetation and deposits of blue-colored dust that emerged from the holes. It is a small complex of volcanic origin, composed fundamentally of basalts and porphyry rocks of great diversity. As suggested by geologists, Miocene volcanic rocks, andesites and basalts, erupted within the limestone of the south coast of the island in Dominican Republic. These rocks contained cavities that were later filled with various minerals including blue pectolite. Eventually, when these rocks eroded the pectolite fillings were carried down the slope by the Bahoruco River and degraded into alluvium deposited on beach gravels. Finally, when the sediments bearing the pectolite fillings were carried to the sea, the tumbling action along the streambed gave the natural polishing to the pectolite, which got its coloration which we came to know as the blue Larimar. Mining Larimar is indeed a very hefty process. Mining forces Larimar miners to excavate deeper and deeper into the old volcano. Though the mining process is very strenuous and fatiguing as miners have to be contended only with simple tools, Larimar mining is a lucrative occupation. Due to its magnificence and aesthetics, Larimar Stone is widely preferred as a gemstone. Its brilliant blue coloration, which resembles the sky, the planet earth, and the deep Caribbean waters, has raised the belief that this stone helps stress reduction. These reasons have widely contributed to Larimar being used in jewelry. Due to its natural occurrence in the Dominican Republic, Larimar jewelry is available practically on ever street corner and beach in the country. Silver is commonly used for jewelry manufacture, but gold is preferred especially for higher grades of the Larimar. Larimar is graded according to its coloration. White colored Larimar is considered to be low in quality while volcanic blue is graded the highest. Larimar also comes with a greenish coloration though it is not well regarded, unless the color is intense. |
