Larimar, which is also known as Lorimar, is a beautiful sea green to blue gemstone that is quite rare in nature. The reason for the rarity of this gemstone is it is mined only in the Dominican Republic, and this gemstone is mined nowhere on earth other than this place. Looking at Larimar jewelry, you will find that this stone has a deep connection with the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In this blog, we will discuss things like the popular rings and styles for larimar rings. We will also tell you some tips that you need to remember as you shop for larimar rings and other larimar jewelry. But first, let us understand what larimar is.
What Is Larimar?
Larimar is a blue gemstone that occurs in the volcanic mountains of Hispaniola which are situated in the Dominican Republic. This stone is highly desired by jewelry enthusiasts and gemstone collectors for its light blue to deep turquoise color, and this stone has earned two famous nicknames – “Atlantis stone” and “Caribbean Gem” because of its association with the beautiful tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Geological Formation
From a mineralogical standpoint, larimar is classified as a blue variety of pectolite – a mineral that is made up of silicates of sodium and calcium. Volcanic activity is the reason behind the formation of this stone, and to be specific, when minerals dissolve in hydrothermal fluids and crystalize, they form larimar gemstone. The distinctive blue color of larimar is mainly due to the presence of copper impurities, and since the geological process through which larimar is formed is quite rare, it’s a fairly uncommon stone.
Key Features
- Color: The color of this stone ranges from pale blue to deep turquoise, and it often has white streaks and white marbling.
- Clarity: Although this stone is generally opaque, some larimar specimens show translucency as well, with inclusions or cloudiness.
- Hardness: Ranges between 4.5 and 5 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, which is why it’s a fairly soft stone.
- Crystal Structure: Fibrous or acicular
- Composition: Primarily made up of silicates of sodium and potassium, with trace amounts of copper in the crystal structure
Popular Settings and Styles for Larimar Rings
Larimar rings are gaining extreme popularity because more and more folks are getting to know about the limited supply of this stone, and people are falling in love with the stunning colors of Larimar. Below is a brief explanation of the most favored ring settings and styles in which you should buy a larimar ring.
Popular Settings for Larimar Rings
- Sterling Silver Setting: Most larimar rings are set in pure 925 sterling silver because this silver complements the captivating colors of the stone very well. The sterling silver brings out the calming blue tones of larimar stone quite beautifully, and since 925 sterling silver is hypoallergenic in nature, it suits a wide range of audiences.
- Halo Design: In the halo setting, a central larimar stone is surrounded by smaller accent stones, the accent stones being diamonds, sapphire, and other semi-precious stones. This style in which the sparkling accent stones surround the center stone brings all the attention of the audience to the center stone, thus enhancing the beauty of Larimar set in the center.
- Solitaire Rings: The solitaire larimar rings have a minimalistic approach – they showcase a single larimar stone, bringing out the natural beauty of the larimar and allowing the stone to take center stage. If you are someone who loves simplicity, go for solitaire larimar rings.
- Intricate Band Designs: Some rings possess a detailed band design – generally, in these rings, you will find that the band includes filigree or engravings which adds an artistic touch to the ring with the larimar stone being the main focus of the ring. If you are someone who has a taste for unique designs and if you go for jewelry that has an artistic touch, go for intricate band designs which would add to your personal flair.
- Adjustable Rings: If you are someone who wants to double down on comfort and versatility, then go for adjustable larimar rings – they are a popular choice among the audience that likes comfy vibes. These adjustable rings can fit fingers of all sizes – they are a practical choice and they can be worn on a daily basis.
Styles of Larimar Rings
- Casual Wear: The soothing colors of larimar rings make them a popular choice for casual outfits like T-shirts and denim jeans, and they complement these summer dresses very well.
- Formal Wear: You can even wear larimar rings with formal clothes – when worn with evening gowns or formal suits, larimar rings add a touch of sophistication to the outfit you are wearing.
- Beach-Inspired Jewelry: Because larimar has oceanic colors, it is often associated with beach-themed jewelry. The larimar rings that are designed in this particular style may incorporate ocean-inspired motifs like waves, shells, or mermaids, and this stays in perfect alignment with the gemstone’s Caribbean connection.
- Statement Pieces: Larger larimar stones, although rare, are set in bold designs to serve as statement pieces – if you look at statement larimar rings, you will find that they are quite attractive and they immediately grab the attention of the audience. Statement larimar rings are generally worn as the focal points of an outfit.
Tips for Purchasing Larimar Ring
Below are some tips that you need to keep in mind as you go out to purchase a Larimar ring:
Tip #1: Verify the Authenticity of the Larimar Ring
- Check for Certification: Always ensure that your retailer is giving you a certification of authenticity from a reputed gemological laboratory, which is a document that confirms the genuineness of the stone set in your larimar ring, with details like origin, stone size, characteristics, etc.
- Look for Hallmark: If the ring is made out of 925 sterling silver, check for the 925 stamp – the 925 stamp indicates that the larimar ring is made of genuine 925 sterling silver. You can even look for lion passant (a symbol that indicates sterling silver) and maker’s mark.
Tip #2: Examine the Color and Pattern of Larimar Stone
- Natural Patterns: Genuine larimar stone possesses a mix of blue and white patterns, so be cautious of the stones that are overly uniform in color and patterns – this would indicate that your stone is an imitation.
- Vibrancy: Ensure that the blues in your larimar are vibrant, with streaks of creamy white color. In case your stone set in the larimar ring looks too perfect or glassy, it means that it is not authentic.
Tip #3: Conduct Simple Tests on the Larimar Ring
- Light Test: Try to hold your larimar ring against light – genuine larimar stones do not allow light to pass through easily, so if light penetrates the stone, it means it is an imitation.
- Scratch Test: Since larimar ranges between 4.5 and 5 on the Moh’s Scale of Mineral hardness, it can be scratched by harder materials – thus, if you are able to scratch the back side of stone set in your larimar ring easily (with the permission of the jeweler), it means it is authentic.
Tip #4: Ask Questions
- Inquire for Treatments: Always ask your retailer if the larimar ring has undergone any treatment. Genuine larimar never requires any treatments and enhancements – it's good to go as soon as you cut and polish it.
- Information about the Origin of the Stone: Ask your retailer regarding the information about where the stone was sourced from – authentic larimar is mined exclusively in the Dominican Republic.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed all the information that you need to purchase a Larimar ring. If you are searching for a wholesaler from whom you can purchase larimar jewelry, and other wholesale gemstone jewelry for your retail needs, then you can explore the official website of Rananjay Exports.
We, Rananjay Exports, are India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturers and suppliers, and we deal in 925 sterling silver jewelry in more than 250+ natural and authentic gemstones. You will get all types of exquisite jewelry at Rananjay Exports, be it handmade jewelry, custom jewelry, or casting jewelry, and the gemstone rings that we sell are available in faceted as well as non-faceted stones. Order larimar rings from Rananjay Exports now, and get them delivered to you in no time!
