Larimar A type of pectolite

Labradorite Moldavite

Sources

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

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.

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!

 

  • Month stones
  • January - Garnet also Ruby
  • February - Amethyst also Bloodstone
  • March - Aquamarine also Jade
  • April - Quartz also Opal
  • May - Rose Quartz also Agate
  • June - Pearl also Moonstone
  • July - Ruby also Carnelian
  • August - Peridot also Sardonyx
  • September - Iolite also Lapis Lazuli
  • October - Opal also Pink Tourmaline
  • November - Topaz also Citrine
  • December - Turquoise also Tanzanite
  • Zodiac Stones
  • Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise
  • Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Aquamarine, Amethyst, Amber, Celestite, Fluorite, Labradorite
  • Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Moonstone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Fluorite, Turquoise
  • Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Ruby, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Kunzite
  • Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Azurite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Rhodonite, Tigers Eye
  • Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) Chrysocolla, Citrine, Serpentine, Tourmalinated and Rutilated Quartz, Tiger's Eye
  • Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) Moonstone, Pearl, Opal, Ruby, Moss Agate, Amber
  • Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Carnelian, Kunzite, Larimar, Rhodocrosite.
  • Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Peridot, Amazonite, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal
  • Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Iolite, Opal, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot
  • Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Topaz, Malachite, Charoite, Garnet, Obsidian
  • Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Turquoise, Amethyst, Labradorite, Sugilite, Topaz, Garnet
  • There are a few stones that are suitable for every Zodiac sign: Moldavite, Tourmaline, Clear Quartz and Herkimer Diamond.

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