FactSheet – Larimar

Origin
Larimar is a type of pectolite (a mineral that forms following volcanic activity in basalt rocks). It forms within tubes, cavities or chimneys of the volcano by the circulation of mineral-rich water through the rocks. It only started to appear internationally after 1974, the year that naturally polished pieces were found on a beach in the Dominican Republic (having been carried down by a river from the one outcrop inland). The name comes from the daughter (Larissa) of one of the two 1974 beachcombers who made the discovery, and the Spanish word for 'sea' (mar).

Composition: Silicate: NaCa2(Si3O8)(OH)
Structure: Triclinic with perfect cleavage. Mohs scale 4.5 – 5.
Colour: Pale to mid blue, sometimes interlaced with white.

Sources
Larimar is only mined in the southwest of the Dominican Republic near Bahoruco, overlooking the blue Caribbean Sea.

Our view...
Paul has visited the mine and cutting area, arriving on the back of a motor-bike along dirt roads, the driver armed with a revolver...!

The mines are deep holes and tunnels following the tubes of larimar into the depths of the Earth’s crust. Hand-tools and sweat gradually bring lumps of rough larimar to the surface.

Arranging larimar cutting for setting into jewellery has proved one of the more challenging projects Crystals (UK) has undertaken!

Ros Mason – April 2006
© Crystals (UK) Ltd. T/A Crystals Reg. No. 5056864.

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Birthstones
& Zodiac stones
Our choices of stones are an amalgamation of modern and traditional systems, as well as those originating from Roman, Hebrew and Ayurvedic sources. We hope you find them useful.


Birthstones

January – Garnet
(also Rose Quartz)

February – Amethyst
(also Onyx)

March – Aquamarine
(also Bloodstone, Red Jasper)

April – Diamond
(also Rock Crystal/Quartz)

May – Emerald
(also Agate, Chrysoprase)

June – Moonstone
(also Pearl, Alexandrite)

July – Ruby
(also Jade, Carnelian)

August – Peridot
(also Carnelian, Sardonyx)

September – Sapphire
(also Chrysolite, Lapis Lazuli)

October – Opal
(also Beryl, Pink Tourmaline)

November – Yellow Topaz
(also Citrine)

December – Turquoise
(also Blue Topaz)


Zodiac Stones

Aquarius – Garnet

Pisces – Amethyst

Aries – Bloodstone

Taurus – Sapphire

Gemini – Agate

Cancer – Emerald

Leo – Onyx

Virgo – Carnelian

Libra – Chrysolite

Scorpio – Beryl

Sagittarius – Topaz

Capricorn – Ruby

Crystals (UK) Ltd.
Head Office: 13 Norman Court, Budlake Rd, Marsh Barton
Exeter EX2 8PY, UK
www.crystalshop.co.uk