From time immemorial, mankind has been attracted to the mystery of precious and semi-precious stones. What only properties of a magical and therapeutic nature are not attributed to them. It seemed that all possible minerals are already known, but the planet is not ceasing to present new wonderful discoveries. Thus, in 1974, a new semi-precious stone was discovered in the Dominican Republic, known as larimar.
Description
Since the end of the 20th century, the Dominican Republic has been supplying to the world market products from a beautiful mineral of the color of water in a blue lagoon. This stone is called Larimar. In addition to the official name, the people also call this mineral the Haitian turquoise, Atlantis (since, according to legends, it is associated with the disappeared Atlantis), a dolphin stone; pectolite greed. In the Dominican Republic itself, Larimar bears a poetic name, the stone of love.
Locals used this stone for a long time, but they officially recognized blue pectolite only at the end of the last century.
According to unconfirmed data, for the first time a blue mineral deposit was discovered by a Peace Corps volunteer named Norman Rilling, but this fact was not documented. Subsequently, the honor of opening a new ornamental stone was recorded for the jeweler Miguel Mendoz from Santo Domingo. Initially, Mendes’s pectolite blue variety called Travelina, but then decided to change the name.
Larimar received its trade name in honor of the jeweler’s daughter, Larisa, and for its color, which resembles the water surface of the Caribbean Sea with reflection of clouds near the shores of the Dominican Republic.
Larimar is a semi-precious semi-precious mineral of volcanic origin, which is one of the varieties of pectolite. Compared to other types of pectolite, Larimar has a higher score on the Mohs scale of hardness. Its figures range from 5.5 to 7 units. The density of the mineral is from 2.74 to 2.90 g / cm³. Larimar is not a homogeneous stone in structure, but the cleavage of its layers is perfect.
Due to its volcanic origin, it contains impurities of various metals, which ensures the uniqueness of the layers and color. There are various shades of blue, from almost white to bright, turquoise, as well as gray and varizitopodobny green. The color of the mineral is caused by admixture of copper and vanadium.
The chemical formula of Larimar is NaCa2 Si3 O8 (OH). In addition to sodium hydroxide and calcium silicate, inclusions of magnesium, aluminum and potassium are found in the composition of the mineral. Recently, blue samples with red streaks formed by the germination of iron inside the stone were found.
Unlike pectolite, which has a lower hardness and forms sharp needles at the scrape, which can be easily injured, Larimar is easy to process and has smoother, though uneven edges at the break. During processing, the muddy stone acquires some transparency and silky surface structure with color overflows.
Where and how to mine?
The very first deposit of larimar was found in the Dominican Republic, in a place located 10 km north of the main road leading from Barahona to Bakhoruko. Today, the Philipinas mine Larimar, Los Chechez, Sierra de Baoruco in the southwestern province of Barahona is the only company in the world that produces unique stone. Larimar was found in small quantities in the Bahamas, Haiti, Alaska. A small amount of larimar is mined in Italy.
The Larimar field was formed due to volcanic activity in the Miocene era. In the influx of lava and ash, gas pockets filled with various minerals have formed over millions of years at the site of burnt out trees.
Larimar is one of these fillers. The extraction of the mineral even in the conditions of modern technology is conducted in the old manner, by hand. Descending into the mines, the scavengers hammer lava strata with hammers, extracting the mineral. Then the stone is sorted. The best pieces clean, polish and make various crafts from them, from pendants to statuettes.
Properties
Like all natural stones, Larimar has healing and magical properties. Lithotherapists are advised to wear products from Haitian turquoise in the following cases:
- with problems with the respiratory system;
- with nervous disorders;
- if worried about high blood pressure;
- to get rid of inflammatory processes.
It is useful to have a dolphin stone for those who are prone to colds and cardiovascular diseases, as well as often under stress. Larimar will protect pregnant women from uterine bleeding, and if you apply a stone to wounds and postoperative sutures, this will help reduce the risk of complications associated with inflammation.
The most effective way to get the most out of Atlantis is to wear beads, necklaces, or pendants., that is, all that is in the neck and chest. And also useful for medicinal purposes will be brooches worn on the chest from the side of the heart or near the neck. A good result will give a massage performed with the help of pebbles from the larimar.
Important! But although Larimar has a lot of positive properties for influencing the human body, it is impossible to rely only on stone. It can be used as a pleasant addition to the main treatment prescribed by a specialist doctor.
As a talisman or amulet, Atlantis will be useful only to people. with a kind heart and an open soul. Light, clean stone is never suitable for use in dark matters. But he can help to clear the aura of a person from the accumulated negative, bringing to life the owner of an amulet from larimar bright feelings and the joy of being. A family statuette from Haitian turquoise will help to keep the house cozy and harmonious, and a lonely decoration or charm from Atlantis will tell where its second half is.
Timid, insecure people should also carry an amulet from Larimar, as it helps to find peace of mind and gives the necessary courage to do things. The dolphin stone will help creative people to find inspiration. It is especially useful to singers in the form of a pendant or pendant on the neck.
But it is important to remember that only natural stone has healing and magical properties.
How to distinguish a natural stone from a fake?
Due to the layered structure, natural stone provides a unique combination of various colors and color transitions. In nature, it is impossible to find two layers of stone that are the same in location. Even products made from one piece will have a different color transition, pattern and transparency. Therefore, choosing jewelry from Larimar, you should pay special attention to the patterns on the stone.
The presence of strongly similar stones in one lot suggests an idea of their artificial origin. Due to the volcanic origin and methods of extraction, products made from natural stone may have slight natural defects.
Of course, to a greater extent this applies to relatively cheap crafts from low-grade stone, which does not affect its naturalness.
Another distinctive feature of natural stone is the blurring of boundaries and the depth of color transitions. If the proposed stone has clear boundaries of the pattern, located at the same level, it is one hundred percent fake. Due to the fact that the volume of mined stone is small and extraction is done manually, the price of the finished product is quite high.Therefore, tempted by the low price, there is a very high risk of running into a fake, made of ceramics, glass or plastic. Chinese craftsmen are especially distinguished by this.
Larimar, put up for sale, is supplied with a document confirming its origin. In order to choose the original, you should pay attention to how the name of the stone is written. If it is quoted or in the description there is the word "pressed", then there is a fake in front of you. Another of the signs confirming the naturalness of the stone is the country of origin.
If this is not the Dominican Republic or, in extreme cases, Italy, then there is a high probability of acquiring a useless piece.
Who is suitable?
Choosing a pebble for yourself, you need to hold it in your hand. If the mineral is suitable, then a feeling of warmth will come from it. This means that the Larimar will be the maximum benefit, and not just a beautiful decoration. Having picked up an ornament, before using it it is necessary to rinse it in running water in order to wash off another's energy from a stone.
According to the signs of the zodiac, Larimar is most suitable for Cancers, Pisces, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius and Taurus. The presence of blue pectolite in their lives will save from family problems, negativity and nervous disorders. For Scorpio and Aries, Larimar is useless as a magical support, as for magicians and clairvoyants, while others can use pebbles as charms, talismans and amulets.
Harm Larimar does not cause anyone, only supports all the good and light that is in man.
Care rules
Buying products from an expensive beautiful stone, I want to preserve its useful properties and unique color. Since the larimar is rather solid, it should be protected from impacts, because it will be impossible to restore the damaged place. The stone is very negative about the effects of chemicals and abrasives. With the first he can react, and the second damage the polished surface of the stone, violating the beauty of the picture.
It is best to store the products of larimar separately from other stones so that the strong positive energy of the love stone does not mix and dissipate, while wrapping them in a soft fabric.
Although Atlantis is a bright stone, but under the influence of direct sunlight it burns out, losing the depth and beauty of color. Therefore, products made of blue pectolite are best placed where direct sunlight does not fall. From time to time, the larimar is wet-cleaned using a warm aqueous solution based on baby soap, in which the product is washed. After that, it should be rinsed under running cold or thawed water and blot with a soft, dry cloth.
Treat Larimar with care, then he will repay you with many years of service.
On the properties of the stone, see the following video.
