Larimar is found on a one square kilometer on a mountaintop in the Dominican
Republic. Acquiring this gem is difficult due to Mother Nature and the local
terrain. Few people have ever seen Larimar, making it one of nature's best-kept
secrets.
Larimar is a hard stone with a color palette of blue and green, with no two
stones alike. marahlago® hand picks each stone and celebrates its beauty with
settings designed to enhance and compliment its volcanic and oceanic traits.
HistoryAlthough Larimar’s discovery dates back to 1916, it was a local artist in the 1970s that rediscovered the stone washed up on the shores of a remote beach. He named the stone after his daughter (Larissa) and the Spanish word for sea (mar).
LocationLarimar is surrounded and protected by a small range of remote mountains on the Island of Hispaniola, whose volcanic heritage forged this blue gemstone. Millions of years of erosion washed Larimar downstream into a river, making its final destination a beautiful, remote beach in the Caribbean.
ScienceLarimar's mineral and chemical makeup is unique, and its copper ions help create its vivid blue color. The exact creation process is unknown, but according to many scientists, the island’s volcanic activity and its unique mineral composition is responsible for the stone’s formation.
GradingFrom colors and patterns to luminosity and inclusions, many factors determine the quality of each stone. All marahlago® collections are made with only the top 3 percent of Larimar, and every finished piece of jewelry contains marahlago's trademark flower guaranteeing its authenticity.
MiningLarimar is mined by hand up to 300 feet below ground by local families living near the mines. Due to the island's five-month hurricane season and the time it can take to locate the veins and deposits, it’s possible for miners to go months without seeing a piece of Larimar.
VariationsNo two Larimar stones are alike. Its various patterns, markings from its volcanic creation and colors contribute to each stone’s individuality. We often recommend to blend and not try to match stones, since it’s impossible. Every earring, bracelet, and necklace will have its own Larimar personality.
