Stefilia’s Stone: The Magic of Larimar Beads

Found only in one place on earth, the Dominican Republic, larimar is as rare as it is breathtaking. Also known as Stefilia’s Stone, the gemstone’s spectacular sea-blue color and rarity has enthralled jewelry-makers and gemologists (people who study gemstones) alike.

Of course, there is one other group who appreciates this unique stone for more than its ethereal beauty, intriguing history and physical properties. Larimar is also believed to have many mystic properties that can aid in the healing of mental and physical ailments. From helping one find their soulmate to bringing them a sense of well-being and peace, there is far more to Stefilia’s Stone than meets the eye.

Whether you’re using larimar in your jewelry-making or you’re interested in the potential healing powers of larimar, this special gemstone has a lot to offer. Let’s first take a look at the backstory of larimar and how this eye-catching blue stone is used today. 

What Is Larimar?

Larimar, or Stefilia’s Stone, is a rare blue form of the silicate mineral pectolite which is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic. The gemstone comes in various colors, such as deep blue (with or without traces of red), green-blue, white and a brilliant shade of blue that matches that of the Caribbean Sea. In fact, many natives who first encountered the stone believed that it had come from the sea rather than the land because it so closely matched the ocean’s hue.

Although the mineral pectolite is fairly common, larimar is scarce because there is no other pectolite deposit in the world that produces such beautiful blue hues. As a result, demand for the gemstone has risen in recent years as jewelry-makers and crystal enthusiasts alike scramble for its beauty and purported metaphysical powers.

Composed of dense, radiating fibers, pectolite can be soft and delicate or hardy and solid depending on the toughness of the fibers. It’s anywhere from a 5-7 on Mohs Scale, making it comparable to gemstones such as turquoise and jade. 

The Story of Larimar

So, why is larimar so rare? How does it form? It all starts with a journey to the Bahoruco mountains in the Dominican Republic, the only place in the world where Stefilia’s Stone can be found.

Although there are no active volcanoes in the Dominican Republic, this wasn’t always the case. Millions of years ago, volcanoes erupted, spewing lava and hot gas across the land. As the lava flow receded, it solidified in crevices within the earth, filling the cavities with crystallized minerals.

This particular volcano consisted of copper deposits, which chemically interacted with the crystallized minerals in the cavities. This turned the white pectolite crystals that are typically commonplace into a variety of rare blues that would soon become the Dominican Republic’s most beloved gemstone, coveted for both its unique beauty and mystical capabilities. 

Discovering Stefilia’s Stone

While most larimar is found inside the cavities in the mountain in which it was formed, it can break free from the earth and be washed down by rain to the rivers, which deposit them in the sea. The first recorded discovery of larimar was in 1916 when Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren found the stone, probably by chance when the Spanish priest was walking along the beautiful shores of the Caribbean Sea.

Despite his rare find, Father Miguel’s request to mine larimar was denied by the Dominican Ministry of Mining. The semi-precious stone would not be re-discovered until 1974, when Miguel Mendez and Norman Rilling found the stone. After much deliberation, Mendez decided to call it “larimar,” a portmanteau of his daughter’s name, Larissa, and the Spanish word for sea, “mar.” 

Larimar in Holistic Healing

Since its discovery by locals on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, larimar has been thought to have special healing powers. In addition to being called Stefilia’s Stone, the mesmerizing blue stone is also called “Atlantis Stone” and “Dolphin Stone” as a result of Caribbean natives believing the stone came directly from the sea.

With its enchanting beauty and the initial mystery surrounding its origins, it’s not surprising that larimar has become a highly sought after gem for naturalists and holistic healing practitioners. From soothing anxious thoughts to boosting fertility, Stefilia’s Stone continues to enthrall people who seek the curative effects of healing gemstones.

Larimar, a crystal of the fifth chakra (or the throat chakra), is in some ways similar to Lapis Lazuli in its healing powers. It’s associated with enlightenment and wisdom, along with peace and clarity.

Stabilize emotions. Forged from temperamental volcanoes, larimar is believed to have calming properties that can benefit people experiencing internal turmoil. Those who suffer from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health problems often turn to this semi-precious stone to ease their minds. It’s not difficult to see how it could help in this regard. The calming blue color that is reminiscent of the sky and the sea can transport our minds back to a more tranquil time in our lives, easing our worries and anxious thoughts.

Promote wisdom. Similar to Lapis Lazuli, larimar activates the higher mind and can boost intellectual ability. It’s believed that larimar taps into the ancient wisdom of Atlantis and calls upon the healing power of dolphins to enlighten the body and soul.

Help you find courage. Struggling to face your fears? Larimar is believed to help people find not only their deep-rooted courage and strength, but also their voice due to it being centered around the throat chakra. If you have phobias, panic attacks or stress, larimar may help you take control of your fears and overcome your self-imposed limitations.

Improve infertility. Larimar beads may be used by women going through IVF and struggling with infertility. The semi-precious stone, along with other gemstones such as rose quartz and moonstone, is believed to enhance fertility energies and assist with difficult pregnancies.

Boost positive energy. When you’re feeling stuck in a rut, using larimar for meditation can help bring back positive energy and restore balance to your body and soul. It can also release tension and negative thoughts that are clouding the mind, helping you make peace with angry thoughts and trauma.

Find true love. Can’t seem to find the one? Balancing all seven of your chakras can help you find your soulmate, especially your throat chakra. Larimar helps you express who you truly are, allowing you to find that special someone who appreciates your true self. Blue stones such as larimar are also thought to enhance your communication, which, along with trust, is the foundation upon which most relationships are built.

Promote physical healing. While many healing stones are primarily focused on improving your mental well-being, holistic practitioners believe that many gemstones can also physically heal the user. In the case larimar, it’s believed that this semi-precious stone can improve blood pressure, soothe infections (especially in the chest, throat and head), reduce fevers and soothe inflammation. 

How to Use the Power of Larimar?

There truly is no right or wrong way to use crystals and gemstones for their metaphysical powers. You can take your larimar stone and stick it under your pillow for a month, carry it around in your pocket or wear it as a bracelet to unleash its potential.

If you’re using it to heal yourself physically, it’s generally recommended that you place the gemstone on the affected area. For example, placing your stone on your forehead to reduce tension and improve a migraine.

Here are a few other ways to utilize the healing properties of larimar:

Use it to aid meditation. The next time you are meditating, place your stones in a circle around you or wear them as you normally do. Because larimar is said to help ease tension and stress, it’s an excellent tool for mindful meditation.

Keep stones at your work desk. If work seems overwhelming, try placing larimar on your work desk. According to The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons, placing larimar on your work desk can promote a relaxed and serene atmosphere.

Carry it around for good luck. Even those who don’t believe in the healing powers of stones often carry their larimar around as a good luck charm. Give it a month of consistent wear and see if your larimar beads bring you good fortune.

Keep it simple. While larimar can be combined with other healing gemstones, it’s best to keep your jewelry simple with perhaps a couple of other types of gemstones such as rose quartz and black tourmaline gemstones, which both remove negative energies from the body. 

Finding and Purchasing Larimar Stones

1. Hold it up to the light. Genuine larimar gemstones are cloudy and opaque which prevents light from passing through them.
2. Look for white streaks. Real larimar often has white streaks mixed within its blue or green color.
3. Avoid cheap prices. The telltale sign of fake larimar is an unbelievable price. If you’re buying from eBay or Alibaba, be aware that you probably aren’t getting real or quality beads. AAA grade beads from a unique strand of larimar are priced to reflect their rarity and quality.
4. Avoid larimar that is too perfect. If your larimar is a startling deep blue with no imperfections, it may be fake. See below for the burn test to find out whether your larimar is real or not.
5. Try the burn test. Many street vendors in the Dominican Republic will hold a lighter to the larimar to prove that it’s real. If it’s fake, the larimar will become marred by the fire. 

Although some healing stone enthusiasts believe that larimar has greater healing powers in its raw form, others frequently use stones as a form of jewelry, either as necklaces or bracelets. In fact, some believe that wearing a larimar pendant around the throat can help activate its powers, allowing you to communicate your truth.

If you plan on harnessing the healing properties of larimar by wearing them as jewelry, you may want to consider choosing a deeper hue, if possible. Larimar stones in brilliant blue hues are considered stronger and have a higher grade compared to white, making the richer hues ideal for jewelry-making.

On a similar note, you may want to pay close attention to the shape of your gemstones as well. It’s believed that the shape of healing stones can influence their powers, making them more targeted and powerful. For example, beads in a sphere shape can release energies in all directions, bringing balance and peace to your surroundings, whereas beads in heart shapes are said to promote love for yourself and for others. 

Unraveling the Mystery of Larimar