Larimar: meaning, properties and lore

The mineral

As pectolite, it has the chemical formula NaCa2Si3O8(OH), which makes it a hydrous sodium calcium silicate, sometimes with some manganese. Its Mohs hardness is 4.5 to 5.¹²³⁴⁵⁶

Most gemological properties of larimar are consistent with those previously reported for pectolite. Pectolite has a refractive index range of 1.599 to 1.628, with a typical spot reading of about 1.60, and a specific gravity of 2.81.⁵³⁴

The blue colour of larimar is believed to be related to small amounts of Cu2+. The stone has a light blue colour with white speckles, and it displays white, green, and pale to sky blue colours. Its colour appears to be stable to light but reacts to irradiation and to the heat of a jeweller's torch.⁵⁴⁶

Larimar is found in cavities and veins of altered basalt, and it is found only in the Dominican Republic, at the Filipinas Mine in Los Checheses. It is used as a minor gemstone and is a rarity for collectors. Specimens that are not cut as gemstones are sliced and polished to highlight the colours.⁵¹²

Larimar is easily separated from similar-appearing materials. A ceramic imitation sold as larimar had a spot RI of 1.53 and a specific gravity of 1.87, distinctly lower than larimar's values, and standard gemological tests such as microscopy, RI and SG should be sufficient to distinguish it from the stone.⁵³

History and lore

Larimar entered the United States market recently, as described in a 1989 Gems & Gemology article by Robert E. Woodruff and Emmanuel Fritsch.⁵⁴⁶⁷

Leonardo Scarpelli began using gem materials such as labradorite in commesso fiorentino mosaics after starting his career in 1992. Larimar's light blue colour and white speckles made it suited to reproducing aquamarine's transparency and colour in mosaic work.⁶

Birthstone, zodiac and chakra links

Crystal practitioners attach it to particular dates anyway: they say blue larimar is attuned to those born between February 19 and March 19, and turquoise larimar is a natural birthstone for those born between March 20 and April 19. These are modern practitioner links, not an older list.

Crystal practitioners say larimar is not assigned to a modern modern modern zodiac sign. They also associate it with the numerical vibration 9, a link they present as modern.

Larimar is called Stefilia's stone by crystal practitioners, in tribute to the daughter of Miguel Méndez, one of the first to popularize it in the 1970s. Practitioners associate the stone with the Heart, Throat and Third Eye chakras, a link they present as modern.

What crystal practitioners say

Crystal practitioners associate larimar with the mind and with calm. They say it promotes calm, soothes stress and turbulent emotions, and strengthens confidence. Robert Simmons writes that larimar soothes the emotional body and releases undesirable attachments. Practitioners also say it helps release self-imposed blockages, self-sabotaging behaviour, guilt and fear.

Practitioners link larimar with communication and the throat chakra. Crystal practitioners think it opens the throat chakra, encouraging self-confidence and honest self-expression. They say it stimulates the heart, throat, third eye and crown chakras, facilitating inner wisdom.

Crystal practitioners use larimar in meditation. It is traditionally valued as a meditation stone, associated with calming the mind and enhancing communication with angelic beings. Robert Simmons writes that larimar can help one see and release oneself from unhealthy inner bonds to other people during meditation. A Dolphin Meditation described by the author places larimar stones in bath water while the practitioner visualizes a dolphin.

Robert Simmons writes that placing larimar stones in a home or work environment will assure a pleasant and serene atmosphere. Practitioners also associate the stone with peace and clarity, and with the blending of masculine and feminine qualities.

Crystal healers describe larimar as an earth-healing stone that connects with nature and brings balance to the Earth's energy. Practitioners also associate it with opening the heart to love and joy.

Crystal healers say larimar has been used in connection with relaxation and easing tension in the head, neck and chest.

What testing has found

Scientific reviewers have found no rigorous trials that confirm crystal healing works beyond placebo. Edzard Ernst, who examined 150 complementary and alternative treatments, wrote that no proof exists of any benefit from crystals apart from the placebo effect.⁸

In 2001, British psychologist Christopher French tested 80 volunteers who had to identify real crystals from fakes after holding them and meditating. Six participants sensed nothing, while the remaining volunteers described feelings such as tingling or a better sense of wellbeing, which believers attribute to crystal energy.⁸

Ernst noted that the study did not test the therapeutic value of crystals and that he could not find the paper online, suspecting it exists only as a conference abstract.⁸

Ernst stated that pleasant feelings from crystal healing can be attributed to the strong placebo effect or to believers' cognitive bias. Jarry argues that scientists strip interventions of placebo effects in clinical trials to determine whether they have a specific benefit.⁸