By Chisom Ibemere
Larimar, also known as “Stefilia’s Stone,” is a newly discovered gemstone in 1916 in the Dominican Republic. It is a trade name for a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite prominent in the Dominican Republic.
The name is derived from a combination of “Lari” for the name of the daughter of the discoverer and “mar” which is the Spanish word for sea, because the gemstone was discovered near the sea.
Larimar occurs in volcanic and lava flows. It is a type of pectolite. Larimar’s unique blue color is caused by copper substitution. It is a rare and precious stone and can only be found in a few locations in the world, mostly especially in the Dominican Republic.
Larimar is a unique gemstone and believed by the indigenous people of the Dominican Republic to have spiritual and healing properties, and still used in some traditional medicines. In the jewelry industry, larimar is highly valued for its beauty and rarity. It is often used in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Larimar occurs mostly in the Dominican Republic, with very small amounts discovered in other parts of the world in places as the United States and the Bahamas. This makes larimar a rare and valuable commodity.
Larimar has gradually gained attention globally, and its value is steadily increasing due to its scarcity and growing demand in the jewelry industry. Recently, it has become a popular stone for Caribbean-themed jewelry and highly prized.