LARIMAR

Larimar is a sodium calcium hydroxide inosilicate. It crystallizes in the triclinic system and typically occurs as radiating or fibrous crystalline masses. It has a Mohs hardness of 4.5 to 5, and is a type of pectolite found exclusively in the Dominican Republic. Pectolites can be found in many locations worldwide, but Larimar has a uniquely beautiful volcanic blue coloration, which is the result of copper substitutions for calcium. Named for the discoverer’s daughter, it is a conjunction of her name, “Larissa”, with the Spanish word “mar”, which means “the sea”.

LARIMAR HISTORY AND MINING

In 1974, Larimar was collected from a coastline beach near the Bahoruco Mountain Range, within the coastal province of Barahona. Natives to the area initially believed that the beautiful blue pectolites were washed in from the Caribbean Sea, alluding to their brilliant coloration as a testament to their aquatic nature; Interestingly enough, however, the stones were found to have gotten their start further inland. Larimar’s initial development started long ago, when Miocene volcanic rocks, andesites and basalts first erupted within the limestone layers of the south coast of the island. These rocks contained cavities which were later filled with a variety of minerals, including the prominent blue pectolite, now known as Larimar. When these rock cavities eventually eroded away, the pectolites were washed down the mountain and deposited into the Bahoruco River, where over lengthy periods of time they were naturally tumbled and smoothed before, inevitably, being carried to the beach. By the mid-1970s, the mining rights to Larimar within the Sierra de Bahoruco area were granted exclusively to the local population of the region, and they maintained these operations unabated for nearly 50 years. Unfortunately, however, due to low standards of worker safety, which resulted in a large number of accidents, Dominican authorities had no choice but to intervene and, as a result, closed any further mining operations in August of 2021.

LARIMAR METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, Larimar is said to be a powerful stone of peace, love, enlightenment, and clarity. Vibrating in frequency with the Heart Chakra, Larimar is said to aid its user by helping to develop passion driven interests and hobbies, and in doing so, create straight forward goals that are geared towards personal fulfillment. Larimar also has a terrific tendency of bringing about sustainable love and simplicity, allowing for a more personal relationship to develop within one’s self and, in turn, producing more meaningful relationships with others moving forward. Physically, Larimar is said to aid the body with afflictions of the immune system, as well as the Lymphatic system. It is also said that Larimar can assist in the release of stagnant energy blockages within the chest, neck, and head; this is especially useful for assisting with relief from tension headaches and shortness of breath.