Saturday, April 16, 2016

Caribbean Blue :: Larimar

This year the hubby was determined to plan several escapes from the winter given how brutal winter was last year. And while it was much more mild this year, it has been nice to get some sun early in the season. 

The second trip he planned was the Bahamas, and while I've been here before a few times, they were quick single day excursions from a ship. It is much different to stay locally just off the beach. Our place has its own pool and a quick walk up to shops, restaurants and local beaches. It is the perfect place to simply relax. 

One thing that always strikes me about the Caribbean is the color of the water. It is just so blue. And when I recently saw this stone I just could not resist as it looks like the color of the water and seems to have the pattern of surf in it. The stone is called Larimar. 

A bit of quick research revealed that it is a stone found only in the Caribbean, specifically the Dominican Republic. It was named after the daughter of the man who rediscovered it in 1974, Miguel Mendez. He combined his daughter's name (Larissa) with the Spanish word for sea (mar) to create the name. The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Mining show records that in 1916 Father Miguel Domingo Fuetes Loren asked for permission to mine for a certain blue rock he had discovered, but he was denied. Years later Miguel Mendez, a Peace Corps volunteer, rediscovered the stone walking along a local beach.

The stone is formed from a crystallization of blue pectolite when it is pushed into the 'tubes' or 'chimneys' of a volcano by the hot gases. Today there are networks of mines left behind from crews who have had to excavate deeper and deeper into the old volcanoes.

It really is a striking stone, and I didn't want to over complicate the setting. So I decided to stay with the blue theme and used a thick blue leather cord and set the focal with silver. I kept it short as a simple choker with a magnetic closure in back. 

21 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! Stone and area :) I've never been to the Bahamas, but would love to visit one day!

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  2. I'm absolutely in love with this stone and learning about how it was named and where it comes from and I love what you did with it .. and I love knowing you & your guy are on a warm, beautiful beach.

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  3. The pendant is gorgeous and really does look like the sea!
    Hope you're having a great time! Enjoy soaking up the sun :)

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  4. That's beautiful! And what a nice little getaway you had!

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  5. It looks like you had a perfect getaway! The Caribbean waters are so amazing. Every time I see larimar, that is what I think of! That is a stone I have never worked with since it is pricier than most. I love the simple beadwork you have done to show off this beauty.

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  6. How cool to have a stone named after you...well you and the sea 😄 the chocker is beautiful.

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  7. Beautiful stone and necklace! Hope you're enjoying your getaway!

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  8. Whenever I go to gem/mineral shows I'm drawn to the larimar. Your necklace made me realize I really should treat myself to a piece. You took a lovely cab and gave it the perfect home. Harmony. It gently sighs of contentment. I can't imagine anything better.

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  9. Larimar is such a beautiful stone! I had the pleasure of creating a custom necklace for a client who provided the Larimar cabochon - if I had a choice, I would have kept it! Your necklace is just stunning! Glad you were able to get away!!

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  10. Beautiful trip! I love larimar! And, I love your creation! Beautiful!!

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  11. Beautiful!!!! I love this color!!!!
    Have a good week!!! and my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  12. Such a gorgeous stone and from one of my favorite countries to visit. It looks beautiful on your necklace!

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  13. Absolutely beautiful stone, and the perfect understated setting for it. Makes me wish I had some sand between my toes and a cool tropical drink in hand!

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  14. Wow, that place is gorgeous. It's on my list of places to visit now

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  15. is there anything more calming that that particular shade of blue? your history made this simple piece all the more beautiful. may we all one day have stones named after us :-)

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  16. What a beautiful job you did. I agree that your simple setting is just perfect to accent the beauty of the stone. I also really like the corded neck strap. I have never of Larimar before and now I am smitten!

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  17. The stone is absolutely beautiful and you showed it off perfectly. It's stunning!

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  18. Larimar is such a unique and beautiful stone. Your setting is lovely! Enjoy your trip. :)

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  19. Such a striking piece! Color and elegance come together perfectly in this creation!!!

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  20. Sounds like a lovely vacation! And that stone is really beautiful. I love the simple setting of it. You really let its natural beauty shine!

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