Caribbean Blue Beauty: Larimar

Larimar is one of the most unique and rare gemstones in the world as it can be found in only one location on our planet; the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean Island is a jewel on its own with its white, soft sandy beaches and unspoiled, rich nature but it is also the only home of the blue jewel beauty. The legend of Larimar has it that people on the island used to collect the blue gemstones on the beach until one day they could not find them anymore. Therefore, they started to explore upstream and came across a rock formation which was the source of the precious beauties. The natives called the stone “Blue Stone” as they believed that it came from the clear blue sea. But in 1974, the Dominican Miguel Méndez while walking on the Dominican beach saw a flash of the blue gemstone and called it Larimar, taking his daughter’s name Larissa and combining it with the Spanish word for sea “mar.”

Larimar is a variety of pectolite and it is thought that the stones may have formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. Although pectolites may be common, the unique blue color, also called the volcanic blue, is what makes Larimar so incredibly precious. The rare jewel is used in jewellery for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. It is usually combined with silver but higher grade stones can be also produced in gold. The colors of Larimar vary from white, light blue, green-blue and deep blue also known as volcanic blue. The quality grading is according to the color, with white being the lower grade and volcanic blue is the highest grade. Larimar is a true Caribbean beauty. Its blue charm and rare quality will make an everlasting impression on you and having this jewel will forever remind you of the turquoise waters of this far paradise.