Chapter 2: 9. Traveling the World of Stones - The Miracle Natural Stone That Captured the Sea: Larimar Edition
Larimar, the miracle natural stone that captured the sea
If you could capture the blue sea inside a single natural stone...
It would surely look like Larimar.
A tropical sea where white waves sway slowly.
A blue sky that stretches on forever.
It is a mysterious natural stone that seems to reflect such scenery within a small stone.
This journey takes us into the world of Larimar, also known as the "Jewel of the Sea."
Let's go together to find the gift from the Earth hidden within its beautiful blue color.
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The stone I fell in love with at first sight
Actually, I didn't know the name Larimar until I started learning about natural stones.
One day, while looking at many natural stones under my teacher, a single blue stone caught my eye.
"...How beautiful."
I found myself staring at it unintentionally.
It was a blue unlike any natural stone I had seen before.
Not a deep blue, but a blue that gently embraces you.
It was a feeling of my heart becoming quiet, just like when I am gazing at the sea.
From that moment on, I was captivated by Larimar.
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Until the blue stone became known to the world
Although Larimar is loved all over the world today, its history is actually quite new, and it only spread to the world in the 1970s.
However, its story began much earlier.
In 1916, a priest in the Dominican Republic discovered a beautiful blue stone.
The priest applied for a mining permit, but at the time, the value of this stone was not understood, and the permit was not granted.
Thus, Larimar fell into a long slumber without being known to people.
About 60 years later, in 1974.
Dominican Miguel Méndez and Norman Rilling, a volunteer with the American Peace Corps, found a blue stone on the beach.
"Where did this stone wash up from?"
The two went up the river and finally discovered a Larimar deposit in the mountains.
Thus, the blue stone that had been in a long slumber finally took flight to the world.
And the name given to this stone was "Larimar."
The namer, Miguel Méndez, combined "Lari" from his daughter's name "Larissa" and "Mar," which means sea in Spanish, to create this beautiful name.
There is no name more perfect for a blue stone that reminds one of the sea, is there?
Every time I learn stories like this, I think:
Natural stones are not only works of art created by the Earth, but also existences that have carved out encounters with people and history.
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Why does it have such a sea-like color?
When looking at Larimar, one wonders, "Why does it have this color?"
Actually, this blue color is thought to have been created by the copper contained within the stone.
And the white patterns were drawn naturally as the crystals grew over many long years.
That is why no two stones have the same pattern.
There are stones that look like waves,
and stones that look like clouds.
Every time I look at Larimar, I think:
"The Earth is truly an amazing artist."
Because it creates patterns that humans could never draw, over millions of years.
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A gift the Earth took millions of years to deliver
Larimar that we casually pick up at a natural stone shop.
But an unimaginably long time passes before that single stone is formed.
There is volcanic activity,
minerals slowly turn into crystals,
they spend millions of years inside the Earth,
and finally appear before us.
When you think about it that way, even a single stone has a grand story.
That is why, every time I look at a natural stone, I cannot think of it as "just a stone."
It is a small treasure that the Earth has nurtured over a long time.
Larimar is by no means a cheap natural stone.
Honestly, I was surprised when I saw the price for the first time.
"It's this expensive..."
But strangely, I didn't think, "I'll give up."
That is how much this stone attracted my heart.
"Someday, I want to make a bracelet with this stone."
That desire grew little by little within me.
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Why is Larimar so expensive?
"If it's such a beautiful stone, I want one."
The moment you think that and look at the price tag at the shop, you might be surprised.
"Huh, it costs this much?"
I was also surprised when I first learned the price.
But the more I learned about Larimar, the more I understood that there is a reason for that price.
First, there is"rarity."
The beautiful blue color of Larimar quality is currently produced mainly only in the Dominican Republic.
Moreover, not all stones mined from the mountains become beautiful Larimar.
Stones with pale blue.
Stones with many white parts.
Stones that are grayish.
From among them, only those with a beautiful blue color like the sea are selected.
In other words, the Larimar we see in shops is not a "stone that just happened to be dug up," but an existence selected from many stones.
That is why it is hard to find large, beautiful Larimar.
In the world of natural stones,"a large and beautiful stone" is, in itself, an existence close to a miracle.
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Even the same Larimar, they are all different
The interesting thing about natural stones is that "the same thing" does not exist.
Larimar is no exception.
Patterns like ocean waves.
Patterns like clouds floating softly.
Patterns like looking down at tropical shallows from the sky.
Each stone has a different view.
That is why, every time I look at Larimar in a shop, I feel more like I am gazing at "scenery" than choosing a stone.
"I like this sea."
With that feeling, I sometimes find myself staring at it, forgetting the time.
What kind of sea would you choose?
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"Encountering" is more important than "cheap"
When you start liking natural stones, you sometimes think, "Can I buy it cheaper?"
I was the same.
But after seeing many stones, I think.
The stones that truly moved my heart were not "stones I bought because they were cheap," but stones I felt were "the only one."
An encounter with a natural stone is a bit like an encounter with a person.
You cannot decide based on conditions alone.
It cannot be explained by logic.
"This is the one."
There are moments when you can think that.
That is why I think natural stones are not things to buy, but "things to welcome."
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How to identify genuine Larimar?
Because Larimar is a popular natural stone, unfortunately, imitations and processed products are also in circulation.
Even so, you don't have to worry, thinking "It seems difficult to distinguish..."
First, look at many genuine ones.
That is the shortest path.
Larimar has no two stones with the same pattern.
It is like a sea where waves sway, or a sky where white clouds float.
Because it is a pattern drawn by nature, it has a certain warmth.
On the other hand, imitations made of resin or glass may have uniform patterns or look somewhat artificial.
Of course, even with genuine ones, there are individual differences in patterns, and one cannot assert "it is genuine because of this pattern" or "it is fake because of this pattern."
That is why I do not choose based on price alone, but
"welcoming it from a reliable shop."
I think this is more important than anything else.
Because an encounter with a natural stone is not just about the stone, but also a connection with a person.
And there is one more thing I want you to remember.
It is not that the darker the blue, the better for Larimar.
A beautiful blue color that reminds one of the sea.
A natural pattern like white waves.
Not transparency, but a gentle luster.
That balance is the Larimar-ness that fascinates many people.
That is why, when I look at Larimar in a shop, I look not only at the quality, but
"I like this scenery."
I try to choose a stone that I can think that about.
An encounter with a natural stone is not logic; sometimes your heart tells you.
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One of the world's three great healing stones
Larimar is often introduced as a stone that symbolizes "love," "peace," and "healing."
Therefore, it is widely known as one of the "world's three great healing stones."
This name is not an official classification determined by mineralogy, but
it is a name that has been familiar in the world of natural stones for a long time.
Therefore, it is not something that can be said to "definitely have this power."
Even so, I feel there is a reason why many people have been attracted to Larimar for many years.
When looking at Larimar, one's heart strangely becomes quiet.
There are not a few people who feel that way.
Of course, the reason is different for each person.
Maybe it's because it reminds them of the sea.
Maybe it overlaps with the sense of openness when looking up at the sky.
Also, in the world of color therapy, blue is treated as a color that symbolizes "healing," "calmness," "sense of security," and "femininity."
So, perhaps there are people who feel that their hearts naturally become calm when gazing at the gentle blue of Larimar.
Just as there are people whose hearts are comforted when looking at the sea.
Just as there are people who want to take a deep breath when looking up at the blue sky.
The blue of Larimar is also a blue that gently stays by our hearts.
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My own Larimar
From the day I first saw Larimar, there was one dream in my heart.
"Someday, I want to make my own bracelet with this stone."
But Larimar is by no means a cheap natural stone.
In particular, what I was attracted to was large-bead Larimar.
Large beads are rare and hard to find.
Still, I couldn't give up, so I asked my teacher.
"Please let me know when good Larimar comes in."
From that day on, little by little.
I collected them really little by little.
Natural stones are one of a kind.
So I didn't search in a hurry, but waited for an encounter with a stone I could think "this is the one."
And what was completed is the Larimar bracelet that I still cherish today.
It became a special one-of-a-kind piece that combined not only Larimar, but also Super Seven and Rutilated Quartz.
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What the stone taught me
After making a bracelet with Larimar, I started wearing it when doing therapy.
When worn on the right hand, it is directed toward others.
When worn on the left hand, it is directed toward myself.
I was taught that way of thinking by my teacher, and I changed the hand I wore it on depending on the occasion.
Strangely, I know which stone is "saying it wants to go with me" depending on the errands of the day.
By wearing the stone, it became a trigger to "be protected" and to organize my own heart.
Also, I had the opportunity to experience a device that measures the vibrations of natural stones and medicines.
With that device, a reaction was also seen in my Larimar bracelet, which left a strong impression on me.
Regarding such devices and measurement methods, scientific evaluation is not fixed, and there are various ways of thinking.
So, I do not want to convey that "this is absolutely correct."
It is just that for me personally, this Larimar is such an important existence that my heart becomes calm every time I wear it.
In the world of natural stones, there are many stories that have not yet been sufficiently explained by science.
Among those who handle natural stones, there is also a way of thinking that refers to a method called "O-Ring Test" to see the compatibility with the stone.
It is the idea that a person's body can distinguish "compatible, incompatible" in an instant.
I have incorporated it myself and have had many scenes where I felt it was mysterious.
My brother is strong, but depending on the stone, his fingers would open in the O-Ring Test, and I was surprised.
There are body reactions that cannot be helped by strength.
What is important is how you yourself feel.
I want to continue to cherish that feeling from now on.
Natural stones may be "things to feel," not "things to prove."
For me, Larimar is not a stone to expect some special power from, but an existence that reminds me of "healing and kindness" in my busy daily life.
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Lico’s Message
I think there are two types of healing in life.
One is to be treated kindly by someone.
The other is to become able to gently hug yourself.
The old me was always trying hard to be recognized by someone.
I was also hurt a lot.
But now, the time I spend gazing at natural stones and the time I spend making bracelets have become important times to quietly face my own heart.
Larimar is the stone that taught me such time.
If you are a little tired today.
Please stop for a little while and try taking a deep breath.
You can look up at the sky.
You can gaze at the sea.
You can pick up your favorite natural stone.
"It's okay."
I think the time you take to say that to yourself is also very important.
Because in life, continuing to walk in your own way is much more important than moving fast.
May a calm time like the Larimar sea visit your heart as well.
Thank you for joining me on "Traveling the World of Stones" today.
If this article resonated with you, it would be a great encouragement if you could give it a like♡ and follow.
Let's go on a journey of natural stones together again next time.
— Lico
