{"id":7503,"date":"2023-03-16T03:13:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T03:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puertoplatadr.com\/cruiseports\/?p=7503"},"modified":"2024-08-10T15:09:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-10T15:09:53","slug":"larimar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.puertoplatadr.com\/cruiseports\/dominican-republic\/larimar\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominican Larimar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dominican Larimar is a unique semi precious, captivating blue stone considered a testament to the beauty of nature and the marvels that lie beneath the Earth’s surface. With its stunning hues reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea, Larimar has captured the hearts of gemstone enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Larimar was discovered in 1916 when a Spanish priest named Miguel Fuertes Loren reported the existence of a “rock layer measuring 49 m3 in volume (copper vein) containing 33% magnesium.” he tried to get a permit to mine it, but it was denied as the DR had no knowledge of Pectolite<\/strong><\/span><\/a> by then.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Larimar
Larimar Jewelry is as unique as the stone.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later on, Dominican Miguel M\u00e9ndez and Peace Corps volunteer Norman Rilling, stumbled upon a captivating blue stone on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in 1974. Natives believed that the stone came from the sea, and they called the gem\u00a0Blue Stone<\/i>. The few stones that they found were\u00a0alluvial\u00a0sediment, washed into the sea by the Bahoruco River.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing its extraordinary beauty and rarity, M\u00e9ndez named the stone after his daughter, Larissa, combined with the Spanish word for sea, “mar.” Tourists visiting Puerto Plata<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and other destinations within the Dominican Republic<\/span><\/a><\/strong> fall in love with this stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"larimar
Larimar is a rare blue pectolite only found in Barahona, Dominican Republic.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dominican Larimar is found in volcanic rocks from the Cretaceous-Miocene belonging to the Dumisseau Formation, associated with the Caribbean island arc and the oceanic plateau. The basic rock forms the core of the main anticline located in the Caribbean Sea and two smaller anticlines found in the Bahoruco Range.<\/span><\/p>\n

The volcanic rocks are covered by Cenozoic (Paleocene-Miocene) shallow-water carbonate sediments and Quaternary coastal and river deposits. Strongly altered volcanic rocks (mainly basalt) and pyroclastic rocks, such as tuff and tuffites, are cut by veins filled with epigenetic Larimar. Additionally, Larimar has been found within fragments of trees covered by lava as a result of the replacement of charred wood tissue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Museum
Larimar Museum Exhibits<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Composition and Unique Properties:<\/span><\/p>\n

Larimar is a type of pectolite, a mineral that forms in cavities within volcanic rocks. What sets Larimar apart is its exceptional blue color, which ranges from light sky blue to deep azure, reminiscent of the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. The stone’s captivating hue is attributed to the presence of copper within its chemical makeup. Its diaphaneity is Translucent to opaque, with Silky, sub vitreous luster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Larimar
One of the finest Larimar jewelers online.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many millions of years ago, the island of Santo Domingo began to form in parts, emerging from the depths of the sea. First came the Central Mountain Range, made up of volcanic rocks. Approximately 100 million years ago, the emergence of the Bahoruco Range began, in the southwest of the island, specifically in its eastern portion. In its composition, volcanic rocks known in geology as andesites and basalts also stand out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Silicate minerals mixed with components such as aluminum, sodium, calcium, iron, etc., stood out, forming essential and secondary minerals. Among this entire chemical package, a very rare association was formed in nature: silicon-oxygen with sodium and calcium elements. <\/span><\/p>\n

Larimar Mining<\/span><\/p>\n