Larimar - the stone of Atlantis and its magical properties

Larimar is a semi-precious stone that is a type of pectolite of volcanic origin. The mineral has very beautiful blue-blue shades, which are provided by vanadium present in the stone. Larimar looks like a sea wave. It was precisely because of this similarity that people previously believed that the mineral was used by the inhabitants of the legendary Atlantis. Therefore it is also called "Atlantis".

However, in fact, the history of the origin of the stone is much more prosaic. According to unofficial data, the mineral was discovered in 1916 by a Catholic priest visiting Haiti. However, he did not want to document his find. The official discovery of the stone occurred in 1974. Miguel Mendez documented data on larimar. He gave it the name. This jeweler formed the first syllable of the word “lar” on behalf of his daughter Larisa, and he took the ending “mar” from the Spanish language, which means sea, since the mineral looks like a sea wave.

Nowadays, larimar is used to make jewelry. In addition, esotericists discovered that the mineral has magical properties, so it is often used as a talisman.

Different stories

There are three accounts of the history of the discovery of Larimar bluestone:

1. The mineral was first discovered by the Spanish priest Miguel Loren in 1916. He gave the blue stones the sonorous name “Stephilia Stone”. But they showed no interest in the mineral, and the discovery was forgotten.
2. Peace Corps volunteer N. Rilling in 1974 in the same Dominican Republic, in the province of Baoruco, discovered several blue-blue stones. They were identified as a new variety of pectolite.
3. Blue pectolite was discovered in 1975 by entrepreneur M. Mendez. Together with lawyer L. Gonzalez Vega, they created a corporation to mine and sell the semi-precious blue-white mineral. At first the mineral was called “travelina”. Later, Mendes himself renamed the stone and gave it the name “Larimar”.

The name of the mineral consists of two words: Lari, a diminutive of Larissa (the name of Mendez's daughter) and the Spanish word mar (sea).

Interesting: the name Larisa, according to one version, comes from the Greek word glaros - seagull. So the mineral has acquired the most appropriate name - it has the blue of the sea and the blue of the sky with the clear stroke of a seagull...

In fact, the natives have known about the beautiful mineral for thousands of years.

The white man, coming to the Caribbean, found a use for the delightful mineral.

The state has taken control of the extraction and sale of Dominican stone, and now the income goes to the state budget, and not to local oligarchs.

Place of Birth

Since the seventies of the last century, the Dominican Republic, which occupies the eastern part of the island of Haiti, has remained the main supplier of larimar to the world market. There is only one Atlantis deposit in this country - Los Chupaderos, but it is the largest deposited on the planet.

The leader in larimar production is the Dominican Republic.

Other countries also mine the gem. Stone deposits found:

• in the Bahamas, near the Dominican Republic;
• in Alaska;
• in northern Canada;
• near the city of Soave in Italy - the only deposit outside America.

The Dominican Republic is a poor region, where the mineral is mined using old-fashioned methods, breaking stones with a hammer and pickaxe in search of gems. Atlantis is not a precious, but a semi-precious stone, but by the standards of such rocks it is worth a lot, so the mines bring significant income to the budget of a small country.

Properties of the mineral

Larimar is considered a semi-precious stone.

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Not all properties of larimar stone have been thoroughly studied. It sells well, and that's okay.

About larimar we can say:

1. The mineral may look like the seabed under sun-drenched waves; be of a cloudy hue, like water stirred up by the surf; turquoise, like the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Color range: from light blue to dark blue.
2. Hardness 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale.
3. Chemical formula NaCa2Si3O8(OH). Iron, aluminum, potassium, vanadium, and magnesium were found in the impurities.
4. Density 2.85-2.9 g/cm3.
5. Opaque or translucent.

The fine-grained structure after polishing gives the products a silky and glassy shine.

Formula	NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Impurity	K, Fe, Mg, Al
Color	Blue, dark blue, light blue, greenish blue, white
Hardness	5,5 – 6
Kink	Uneven
Density	2.84 – 2.9 g/cm³
singonia	Triclinic

Interesting: the pattern of some samples photographically repeats the pattern of the bottom in the shallow waters of the lagoon.

Physico-chemical characteristics

The official description of the rock indicates the key qualities that allowed the mineral to be classified as semi-precious. Igneous origin has been established. Atlantic stone has a complex chemical composition, formed by sodium and calcium silicates, enriched with numerous impurities. The complex shade is explained by inclusions:

• vanadium;
• copper;
• cobalt

Valuable jewelry features - shine, texture, glass surface.

Main parameters:

• hardness up to 6 units;
• triclinic system;
• density up to 2.9 units;
• uneven fracture;
• low transparency (sufficient for the rock to show through);
• perfect cleavage.

The breed is valued for its hardness

Application

Blue pectolite is used in jewelry.

Ring with larimar

Jewelers and mineral experts call blue pectolite:

• Atlantic stone;
• larimar itself;
• Haitian turquoise;
• dolphin stone.

A piece of larimar is turned into jewelry. These are earrings, bracelets, beads and rings. The color of the stone goes equally well with silver and gold. The most popular cut is cabochon.

Larger specimens of the mineral are used to make decorative items - amulets for the home, figurines, amulets.

For your information: the larger the stone in the decoration, the more impressive the pattern of real larimar looks.

Variety

Due to the variety of shades, larimar is very popular among lovers of exquisite jewelry. Smooth transitions and fancy lines of the design make the stone different from one another. The stone looks alive, the shimmer and shimmer in the depths of the gem creates the illusion of movement inside. Range of colors and shades of the mineral:

• milky white;
• baby blue;
• azure;
• indigo;
• aquamarine;
• blue-green;
• greenish blue;
• Navy blue.

It is known that the shade is influenced by the content of chemical elements in the mineral.

Pure magic

The energy of Larimar is bright, life-affirming, and kind.

The sorcerers in Haiti were not very fond of the stone - in the famous black magic of voodoo, larimar is useless.

But larimar has magical properties. It will relieve loneliness, protect against betrayal and jealousy. That's what esotericists say, in any case.

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Place talismans made from the mineral (especially crafts) in the house. They will protect the family from “showdowns,” spouses from misunderstandings, and the home from the presence of dark forces. Products made from Atlantic stone harmonize the owner’s aura and neutralize external negativity.

Interesting: the Dominican groom must give his chosen one a ring with larimar.

Lonely girls dreaming of a prince are given a pebble by their friends (if they don’t give it to them, they should quickly buy it themselves).

According to some esotericists, larimar is suitable for sellers - the stone will attract customers to your store.

Magical Features

A stone born in fire, having the color of the sea depths and heavenly distances, has extraordinary inner strength and the support of the three elements.

This mineral is considered a valuable gift from nature. It has been noticed that it has a strong impact on its owner - on health, personal life, work, creative activity.

It is recommended to constantly wear an amulet with this crystal if there are any unresolved problems. The energy of the stone will guide a person along the desired path of life, organize thoughts, calm nerves, and give strength. It is recommended to wear the amulet on the left side.

It is not without reason that magicians and healers classify the blue mineral as one of those artifacts without which rituals to fulfill wishes will be ineffective.

It has been noticed that Larimar has a positive effect on its owners in the following areas of life:

1. Self-love. A person finds the strength and wisdom to accept himself as he is.
2. Life's work and purpose. The owner of the stone realizes his true purpose, the flow of thoughts in his head calms down, he begins to see his place in life very clearly.
3. Love. Single people meet their soul mates, create families, live in harmony, trust, and mutual understanding. Larimar acts as a “love magnet” in these situations.
4. Protecting the family nest from troubles and negative situations.
5. The main advantage of the crystal is that it can restore a person’s biofield after damage and a bad evil eye.
6. For meditation. The stone frees the mind from a heap of thoughts, relaxes the nervous system, relieves depression, stress, and strong excitability.
7. Kind attitude towards family and friends. A person suddenly realizes that his friends and family need him.
8. Character, disposition. The harsh, aggressive owner of the blue mineral unusually softens his character, he becomes more friendly, welcoming, people begin to gravitate towards him, and good friends appear.
9. Purity of consciousness. The pebble clears thoughts of negativity, removes anxiety, excessive worry, and stops having nightmares.

Larimar contains positive energy and a clean aura. It should not be used for evil deeds or used in black magic. Otherwise, the larimar stone will become contaminated with black negativity and it will be impossible to clean it, and its magical properties will be lost forever.

Treatment with dolphin stone

The medicinal properties of larimar are akin to the medicinal properties of a holiday on the Dominican coast. Relaxation, delightful idleness, admiring the expanse of the sea... All this will relieve stress, calm the nervous system, and drive away insomnia.

Lithotherapists recommend mineral treatment:

• people with heart or lung problems (choose long beads or pendant for this);
• those who have undergone surgery during the recovery period;
• patients with inflammatory processes.

There is an opinion that the mineral should be worn for atherosclerosis and hypertension.

The stars speak

Blue, like the sea and sky of the Dominican Republic, the mineral is ideal for the signs of Water and Air. This:

• Twins;
• Scales;
• Aquarius;
• Cancer;
• Scorpion;
• Fish.

Jewelry and amulets will be reliable amulets for these zodiac signs.

According to the horoscope, blue pectolite has good compatibility with Leo.

Astrologers have not yet figured out the full meaning of larimar. After all, the stone recently came to the attention of “star specialists.” But they all agree that the stone has exceptionally bright, positive energy.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

Larimar is suitable for representatives of almost all zodiac signs. It has perfect compatibility:

• with Taurus;
• Libra;
• Aquarius.

For them, it will be an effective talisman against negative external influences. It will give confidence, calmness, help you find your betrothed or betrothed, and will protect harmony in family life.

According to the horoscope, larimar is very useful for Leo . With his help, all projects and enterprises of such a person will be successful.

This gem is also suitable:

• Gemini;
• Raku;
• Virgo;
• Sagittarius;
• Capricorn;
• Pisces.

It will help representatives of these zodiac signs in difficult periods of life.

Aries and Scorpio can only wear larimar as jewelry, since its magical properties are useless for them. The following stones are suitable as talismans and amulets for them:

• hematite;
• amazonite;
• carnelian (deep red carnelian).

In addition, lucky stones will be:

• For Aries : ruby, petersite, amber, tanzanite, emerald, tektite, prasiolite, diamond, rhodolite, fluorite, apatite, variscite, black diamond, sultanite.
• For Scorpio : topaz, opal, labradorite, sarder, alexandrite, unakite, rhodochrosite, chrysoberyl, garnet (red), ammolite, aventurine, belomorite, howlite, ammonite, selenite, bull's eye, coral, jet, pyrite, sodalite.

We take care of jewelry

Larimar is a gentle mineral. It dissolves in acids, which means that jewelry with it must be removed when doing household work. Stone from the Dominican Republic is afraid of bright light, both solar and artificial - it will lose color.

Decoration with Larimar

Of course, when caring for a product with larimar, ultrasonic and steam cleaning are excluded.

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The hardness of the stone is low and it is easy to scratch; protect it from physical influence.

How to care

Larimar is not a very durable mineral, so its care should be as follows:

• Protect from falls and impacts.
• Keep away from direct sunlight (otherwise the stone will fade).
• You need to clean the gem with warm water and a mild detergent (for example, baby soap).
• You need to clean the frame carefully, making sure that the product does not get on the Larimar insert.
• Before cleaning or washing, jewelry must be removed, as the stone becomes dull from household chemicals.
• It is better to store jewelry separately so that the stone does not get scratched.

Fakes

Larimar is rarely counterfeited. He is unknown to the “general public.” But where the stone is actively sold, you can find fakes made of tinted howlite, ceramics or commonplace plastics.

Try to spot a fake. Do a mini-research:

1. Check out the decorations on display. Each stone in jewelry has a unique design. Everyone looks alike - it's fake.
2. The drawing on larimar is always original, the lines go deep. With a real stone, it is impossible to understand how deep the design goes. Fake strokes and lines lie on the surface.
3. Each stone always has an uneven color; it resembles the play of sun and sea water in shallow water.
4. Jewelry won’t be too cheap even in the Dominican Republic. After all, the mineral is mined and processed by hand.

Sometimes pale stones are tinted, sometimes coated with epoxy resins or wax to enhance the shine. But this is not considered a fake, only an ennoblement.