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Throat Chakra Crystal Kit

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Crystals for Intuition

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White Howlite Tumblestones 20-30mm

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Crown Chakra Crystal Kit

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Rough Blue Hackmanite with Pyrite Rough Crystals Tali & Loz Crystals

Blue Hackmanite | 2cm | Pakistan

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Blue Quartz Tower | 93mm | Brazil

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Indicolite Blue Tourmaline | Crystal | 45mm | Brazil

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Blue Kyanite Tower | India | Intuitively Chosen

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Blue Lace Agate Tumblestones | South Africa Tumblestones Tali & Loz Crystals

Blue Lace Agate Tumblestones | 20-40mm | Namibia

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Blue Baryte Crystal Cluster Specimen 14.3cm | Sold as Seen

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Shattuckite Specimen | 235g | Kaokoveld Plateau, Namibia

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Shattuckite Specimen | 217g | Kaokoveld Plateau, Namibia

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Indicolite Tourmaline with Quartz | 22mm | Brazil

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Blueberry Fluorite on Quartz | 48mm | Huanggang Mine, Inner Mongolia

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Blue Apatite | 143g | India

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Blue Calcite Rough 30-45mm - Tali & Loz Crystals

Blue Calcite Rough Crystals

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Blue Lace Agate Palmstones | 4/5.5cm | India

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Chalcanthite Specimen | 108mm | Anthropogenic

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Larimar: The Accidental Blue Pectolite Found Nowhere Else on Earth

What is Larimar? Mineral Group: Silicate | Category: Pectolite Variety | Formula: NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH) | Hardness: 4.5 – 5 (Mohs) Larimar is the trade name for a blue variety of Pectolite, a sodium calcium silicate mineral, found exclusively in a single volcanic province in the Dominican Republic. It is one of a small number of minerals in the world whose entire commercial supply comes from one country, and in Larimar's case from one specific locality within that country: the Los Chupaderos mine in the Barahona Province of the southwestern Dominican Republic. Every piece of Larimar in existence, from the finest deep blue gem-quality material to the palest collector grade pieces, originated from this one geological source. The name Larimar was coined in 1974 by Miguel Méndez, a Dominican who rediscovered the material after earlier twentieth century sightings, who combined Larissa, the name of his daughter, with mar, the Spanish word for sea, a reference to the blue of the stone and its visual resemblance to the Caribbean waters of its home island. The name has since become the universally accepted commercial designation for the material, displacing earlier names and establishing a direct connection between the mineral's identity and its geographical and cultural origin. Pectolite as a mineral species is not uncommon: it occurs in many countries in basaltic and metamorphic rocks and is typically white to grey or colourless. The blue of Larimar is exceptional within the species and arises from a specific copper substitution that occurs in the Dominican locality but has not been replicated in any other known Pectolite deposit at commercial scale. This combination of a common mineral species with an uncommon colour variety restricted to a single location is what makes Larimar both geologically interesting and commercially significant. Formation and Geological Context Larimar forms within the volcanic geology of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, specifically within basaltic lava flows and associated volcanic breccia in the Barahona Province. The formation process involves two stages working in combination: the primary volcanic activity that created the host rock, and the subsequent hydrothermal alteration that produced the Pectolite mineralisation within it. When basaltic lava cools and solidifies, it typically contains abundant gas bubble voids called vesicles, as well as fractures and other void spaces created by the cooling and contraction of the rock. Hydrothermal fluids, heated groundwater carrying dissolved minerals, subsequently percolate through these voids and deposit secondary minerals on the cavity walls. In the Barahona Province, these fluids were enriched in sodium, calcium, and silica, providing the chemical ingredients for Pectolite crystallisation, and critically also carried copper derived from the surrounding basaltic rock. The copper is incorporated into the growing Pectolite structure as a trace substitution, replacing small amounts of calcium within the crystal lattice and producing the blue coloration. The concentration of copper controls the depth of blue: higher copper content produces the deep, saturated sky to turquoise blue of the finest gem-quality material, while lower concentrations produce the pale blue and blue-white of more common specimens. Zones of white within Larimar specimens represent Pectolite with minimal copper content growing alongside or alternating with the blue copper-bearing material. The specific geological conditions that have concentrated copper in the hydrothermal fluids of the Dominican locality in the right amounts and proportions to produce blue Pectolite appear to be unique to this setting. Despite Pectolite occurring globally and copper being a common trace element in basaltic environments, the combination has not produced commercial quantities of blue material elsewhere. The Los Chupaderos mine is an open cast operation that has been worked since the 1970s. The deposit is of finite extent and there is ongoing discussion within the gem trade about the long-term sustainability of supply, though current reserves remain commercially viable. The material is extracted primarily by hand using basic tools to avoid damaging the specimens. Key Physical Properties Property Detail Mineral Group Silicate Category Pectolite Variety Crystal System Triclinic Hardness 4.5 – 5 Mohs Specific Gravity 2.70 – 2.90 Refractive Index 1.57 – 1.65 Birefringence 0.008 – 0.018 Pleochroism Weak to moderate: pale blue and colourless to white Lustre Vitreous to silky Fracture Conchoidal Cleavage Perfect in two directions Tenacity Brittle Colour Light blue, blue-green, white Streak White Formula NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH) Safe to Cleanse in Water Yes, gentle running water only The hardness of 4.5 to 5 is moderate and places Larimar toward the softer end of the gemstone range, requiring more care in jewellery use than harder stones. The perfect cleavage in two directions means that despite the moderate hardness, sharp impacts can cause splitting along cleavage planes. The triclinic crystal system, the lowest symmetry of all crystal systems, is responsible for the three optically distinct axes that produce the weak to moderate pleochroism, visible as a shift between pale blue and near-colourless when the material is rotated in directional light. The Blue of Larimar: Copper in a Silicate Framework The colour mechanism of Larimar is directly comparable to that of other copper-coloured minerals, with the specific shade determined by the structural environment the copper occupies within the Pectolite lattice. Copper in the Cu²⁺ oxidation state absorbs strongly in the red and orange parts of the visible spectrum when it substitutes into specific structural sites within a crystal. The wavelengths that reach the eye after this absorption are the blues and blue-greens that define Larimar's colour range. The precise shade, from pale sky blue through turquoise to deeper blue-green, depends on the concentration of copper, the degree of substitution, and the specific geometry of the copper-oxygen bonds within the Pectolite structure. This same fundamental mechanism produces the blue in Blue Aragonite, the vivid blue of Azurite, and the blue-green of Turquoise and Chrysocolla, though the specific shade produced in each case differs because the structural environment of the copper ion differs between mineral species. Larimar's pale to medium blue is softer and less saturated than Azurite because the copper concentration is lower and the structural environment produces a less intense absorption band. The colour zoning visible in many Larimar specimens, with deep blue zones alongside pale or white zones, reflects the uneven distribution of copper during crystallisation. Zones where copper was more available in the hydrothermal fluid developed deeper colour; zones where fluid chemistry temporarily shifted toward lower copper concentrations produced paler or white Pectolite. This zoning is not a defect but a record of the crystallisation history of each specimen. Quality and Grading in Larimar Larimar is graded primarily on the depth, saturation, and evenness of the blue colour, with secondary consideration given to pattern character, translucency, and the proportion of white or grey matrix visible in the piece. The finest material, sometimes called volcanic blue or gem grade, shows a deep, evenly saturated blue across the majority of the piece with minimal white interruption. This material is relatively rare even within the single-source deposit and commands significant premiums. The volcanic blue designation reflects the internal swirling or cloud-like patterning sometimes visible within the blue zones, produced by the fluid flow patterns during crystallisation, and considered highly desirable in the finest pieces. Mid-grade material shows good blue colour with more visible white patterning. The white and blue combination is considered aesthetically pleasing in its own right and is the form most commonly encountered in jewellery and collector markets. Lower-grade material is predominantly white with blue patches or faint blue tint throughout, commercially available but less valued. The market for Larimar includes both polished cabochons for jewellery and natural rough specimens for collectors, with gem-quality polished material commanding the highest prices per unit. Because Larimar is a single-source material with a finite deposit, sustained demand against limited supply keeps prices for fine quality material at levels that have increased consistently over recent decades. Larimar and Pectolite: The Wider Mineral Family Understanding Larimar within the Pectolite species contextualises what makes the Dominican material exceptional and why it has not been replicated elsewhere. Pectolite is a sodium calcium silicate hydroxide mineral found in basaltic and related volcanic rocks worldwide, typically occurring as white to grey fibrous or radiating crystal masses in vesicles and fractures. It forms through the same hydrothermal processes that produce Larimar but without the copper enrichment that produces the blue colour. White Pectolite is common in basalt localities across the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, and while mineralogically identical to Larimar in all but the copper content, has no commercial significance as a collector or gemstone material. Pectolite belongs to the pyroxenoid group of inosilicates, single-chain silicates related to but structurally distinct from the pyroxene group. It is related to Wollastonite and Rhodonite through shared structural characteristics, and its sodium calcium chemistry reflects the composition of the basaltic environments in which it typically forms. The fact that ordinary Pectolite is abundant and widely distributed while Larimar is restricted to a single Dominican locality illustrates how geological rarity in the gem world is often not about the fundamental mineral species but about the specific combination of conditions required to produce a particular colour or habit. The mineral is common; the blue variety is not. Care and Handling Larimar requires careful handling due to its moderate hardness, perfect cleavage in two directions, and sensitivity to certain cleaning methods. The hardness of 4.5 to 5 means it will scratch more readily than harder gemstones and should be stored separately from harder minerals with soft padding. In jewellery, protective settings that shield the edges and surface of the stone are advisable. Water cleansing is acceptable for Larimar but should be limited to gentle running water rather than prolonged soaking. Pectolite is slightly sensitive to sustained moisture exposure, and the perfect cleavage provides pathways for water to work into the structure over time. Dry immediately and thoroughly after any water contact. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ultrasonic equipment, and steam cleaning. The copper-based colour of Larimar is generally stable under normal conditions but sustained exposure to strong acids or alkalis can affect the surface. Clean with a soft damp cloth and mild soap if needed, rinse with clean water, and dry immediately. The relatively soft surface means that polished Larimar pieces will develop surface scratches over time with everyday wear, particularly in ring settings. Occasional repolishing by a lapidary can restore the surface quality of fine pieces. Traditional Associations While this guide focuses on the mineralogy and science of Larimar, it carries rich cultural and spiritual associations rooted in its Caribbean origin. It is widely valued in spiritual and mindful practices for its associations with serenity, communication, feminine energy, and emotional healing. In chakra work it is associated with the Throat, Heart, Third Eye, and Crown Chakras. These associations are rooted in cultural and traditional use rather than scientific properties. Summary Larimar is a blue copper-bearing variety of Pectolite found exclusively in a single volcanic locality in the Dominican Republic, its colour produced by the same copper colour mechanism that colours Azurite, Turquoise, and Blue Aragonite but in the specific structural environment of the Pectolite inosilicate framework. Named for a daughter and a sea, it is one of the few minerals whose entire global supply comes from one mine in one country, and the combination of genuine geological rarity, single-source origin, and sustained demand has made it one of the most consistently valued blue gemstones of Caribbean origin. Browse our full Larimar collection to find polished cabochons, rough specimens, and jewellery pieces. As always, our inbox and DMs are open if you would like guidance or simply wish to explore further. Contact us Love, Laura Further Reading Turquoise: From Tutankhamun's Burial Mask to the American Southwest Chrysocolla: Express Your Truth with Serenity Azurite: The Mineral That Coloured Medieval Paintings Blue Aragonite: A Little Copper Goes a Very Long Way Blue Calcite: Why This Gentle Blue Crystal Belongs in Both a Collection and a Physics Textbook Rhodonite: The Pink Mineral With a Dark Secret How to Cleanse and Recharge Your Crystals: A Complete Guide

on Feb 21 2025

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Lapis Lazuli: The Blue That Was Worth More Than Gold for Three Centuries

What is Lapis Lazuli? Mineral Group: Silicate | Category: Metamorphic Rock containing Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite | Formula: (Na,Ca)₈[(S,Cl,SO₄,OH)₂|(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)] | Hardness: 5 – 5.5 (Mohs) Lapis Lazuli is one of the oldest and most culturally significant gemstone materials in human history, valued for its intense, saturated blue coloration across more than six thousand years of continuous use. It is not a single mineral but a metamorphic rock, a naturally occurring aggregate of several minerals whose combination produces the characteristic deep blue appearance. The primary colour-giving component is Lazurite, a blue sulphur-bearing feldspathoid mineral. This is typically accompanied by white Calcite, which produces the pale veining and patches visible in most specimens, and by Pyrite, whose gold-coloured metallic flecks contrast against the blue matrix and are one of the most immediately recognisable features of the material. The distinction between Lapis Lazuli as a rock and Lazurite as the mineral within it is worth understanding clearly. When mineralogists refer to the chemical formula and crystal properties of Lapis Lazuli they are primarily describing Lazurite, the dominant mineral component. But what is sold, collected, and historically used as Lapis Lazuli is the rock as a whole, including all its mineral constituents, and the visual character of any given specimen is determined by the relative proportions and distribution of all three main components. The name combines the Latin lapis, meaning stone, and the Persian lazhuward, meaning blue, the same Persian root that gives us the word azure and that connects Lapis Lazuli linguistically to Azurite, another intensely blue mineral valued across antiquity. Formation and Geological Context Lapis Lazuli forms through contact metamorphism, the transformation of existing rock driven by heat from an igneous intrusion rather than by the large-scale tectonic pressures that produce regional metamorphism. Specifically, it develops when limestone or dolomite is intruded by hot igneous rock, and the heat drives chemical reactions between the carbonate minerals of the limestone and the silica, aluminium, sodium, and sulphur introduced by hydrothermal fluids associated with the intrusion. These reactions produce the mineral assemblage that defines Lapis Lazuli, with Lazurite forming under the specific high-temperature, sulphur-rich conditions created at the contact zone. The requirement for this precise combination of a suitable carbonate host rock, a nearby igneous intrusion, and sulphur-rich hydrothermal fluids explains why Lapis Lazuli of gem quality is found in relatively few locations worldwide despite limestone and igneous rocks both being common individually. The most significant and historically important source is the Sar-e-Sang deposit in the Badakhshan province of north-eastern Afghanistan, which has been continuously mined for over six thousand years and remains the world’s primary source of the finest quality material. The mines there are among the oldest known gemstone mining operations on Earth, and the material extracted from them reached ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley civilisation through trade networks that predated written history in some cases. Other notable sources include the Lake Baikal region of Russia, which produces material of good quality though generally considered inferior to the finest Afghan material in terms of colour depth and Pyrite distribution. Chile produces significant quantities of commercial grade material, and deposits are also known in Argentina, Pakistan, and the United States. Key Physical Properties Property Detail Mineral Group Silicate Category Metamorphic Rock Crystal System Cubic (Lazurite component) Hardness 5 – 5.5 Mohs Specific Gravity 2.70 – 2.90 Refractive Index 1.50 – 1.55 Birefringence None Pleochroism Weak, blue to violet-blue Lustre Waxy to dull Fracture Uneven to conchoidal Cleavage None Tenacity Brittle Colour Deep blue with Pyrite and Calcite Streak Pale blue Formula (Na,Ca)₈[(S,Cl,SO₄,OH)₂|(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)] Safe to Cleanse in Water Yes; avoid prolonged soaking The absence of birefringence reflects the cubic crystal system of the Lazurite component: cubic minerals are optically isotropic and cannot split light into two rays. The hardness of 5 to 5.5 is moderate and requires reasonable care in jewellery use, as the material will scratch more readily than harder gemstones. The specific gravity range of 2.70 to 2.90 varies depending on the relative proportions of the constituent minerals, with higher Pyrite content producing denser specimens. The Minerals Within: Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite Understanding the three principal mineral components of Lapis Lazuli explains both its visual character and the quality gradations that matter in the collector and gem market. Lazurite is the mineral responsible for the blue colour and is the defining component of Lapis Lazuli. It belongs to the sodalite group of feldspathoid minerals and contains sulphur radical anions, specifically the S₃⁻ trisulphide ion, within its crystal structure. These sulphur radicals absorb strongly in the yellow-orange part of the visible spectrum, leaving blue and violet wavelengths to dominate. The intensity and saturation of the blue in any specimen of Lapis Lazuli is directly proportional to the Lazurite content and the concentration of these sulphur radicals. The finest material shows a deep, even, saturated blue with minimal pale patches. Calcite is present in virtually all natural Lapis Lazuli as white to cream veins, patches, and matrix. In lower-grade material Calcite is abundant, producing a pale, washed-out appearance with significant white interruption of the blue. In the finest material Calcite is minimal, appearing only as fine veining or being almost absent. From a quality assessment perspective, lower Calcite content generally indicates higher grade material, though some collectors appreciate the contrast of white veining against deep blue. Pyrite occurs as bright gold metallic flecks, grains, and occasionally as small cubic crystals distributed through the blue matrix. Unlike Calcite, whose presence generally reduces the perceived quality, a well-distributed scattering of fine Pyrite flecks is considered desirable and is a marker of genuine natural Lapis Lazuli. The gold against blue combination has been celebrated across thousands of years of decorative use as an evocation of a starry night sky. Very high Pyrite concentrations, however, can disrupt the blue colour and reduce the overall quality of the material. Lapis Lazuli as a Historical Pigment The history of Lapis Lazuli as a pigment is one of the most significant chapters in the history of art, and it connects specimens in modern collections directly to some of the most celebrated paintings in Western culture. Ground Lapis Lazuli produces Ultramarine, from the Latin ultra marinus meaning beyond the sea, a reference to the distant Afghan origin of the stone. For several centuries, from approximately the thirteenth to the seventeenth, Ultramarine was the most prized and expensive blue pigment available to European painters, more costly than gold by weight and reserved for the most important elements of the most significant commissions. The blue robes of the Virgin Mary in medieval and Renaissance painting were almost universally rendered in Ultramarine as a mark of the highest respect and the greatest expense. Painters including Raphael, Titian, Vermeer, and Michelangelo used Lazurite-derived Ultramarine in their most celebrated works. The pigment was produced by a laborious process of grinding the stone and washing the powder through a medium of oil or wax to separate the Lazurite from the Calcite and Pyrite, a process that could take weeks for a single batch of high-quality pigment. The finest grades retained the most intense blue and were reserved for the most prominent passages of a painting. The introduction of synthetic Ultramarine in 1826, produced from a chemical process that replicated the sulphur-radical colour mechanism of natural Lazurite at a fraction of the cost, effectively ended the use of natural Lapis Lazuli as a pigment. The synthetic version is still produced and used today and is the Ultramarine found in modern artists’ paints. Quality, Grading, and Imitations Lapis Lazuli is graded primarily on the depth and evenness of its blue colour, the proportion of Calcite visible as white veining or patches, and the distribution and character of Pyrite inclusions. The finest grade, sometimes called Persian or Afghan grade regardless of actual origin, shows a deep, uniform, saturated blue with minimal Calcite and a fine, even distribution of Pyrite flecks. This material commands significant premiums and is used in the finest jewellery and decorative objects. Middle-grade material shows good blue colour but with more visible Calcite veining and less even Pyrite distribution. Lower-grade material is heavily veined with white Calcite and shows a paler, less saturated blue. Imitations and simulants are common in the commercial market. Dyed Howlite and dyed Jasper are the most frequently encountered imitations, both accepting blue dye readily and producing a convincing visual imitation at significantly lower cost. These can usually be identified by the absence of genuine Pyrite inclusions, the presence of unnatural colour distribution, and the lower specific gravity compared to genuine Lapis Lazuli. Synthetic Lapis Lazuli also exists, produced by processes that replicate the mineral composition, and can be more difficult to distinguish from natural material without laboratory testing. As with Turquoise, asking specifically whether material is natural and untreated, and buying from sources that provide clear answers, is the best practical guidance for collectors. Lapis Lazuli in Human History The human relationship with Lapis Lazuli is among the most ancient and geographically extensive of any gemstone material. Archaeological evidence documents its use across more than six thousand years and multiple civilisations simultaneously, connected by trade routes that carried Afghan material across the ancient world with remarkable reach. In ancient Mesopotamia, Lapis Lazuli was associated with divine power and was used in the most prestigious jewellery, ceremonial objects, and inlay work. The Royal Standard of Ur, dating to approximately 2600 BCE and now in the British Museum, incorporates Lapis Lazuli alongside shell and red limestone in one of the finest examples of ancient inlay craftsmanship known. In ancient Egypt the material held profound symbolic significance, associated with the night sky, the gods, and the afterlife. It was used extensively in jewellery, amulets, and funerary objects, and the blue of Lapis Lazuli appears throughout the decoration of royal tombs including those of Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. Egyptian craftsmen also used powdered Lapis Lazuli as a cosmetic and pigment. In ancient Greece and Rome it was used in jewellery and decorative arts, and its association with wisdom, truth, and the heavens was established across multiple Mediterranean cultures independently. The medieval and Renaissance use of Lapis Lazuli as Ultramarine pigment extended its cultural significance into the history of European art at the highest level, creating a connection between the Afghan mines, the medieval trade routes, and the painted altarpieces and frescoes of Florence, Venice, and Rome that persists in museum collections to this day. Care and Handling Lapis Lazuli is a relatively straightforward mineral to care for but its moderate hardness of 5 to 5.5 means it will scratch more easily than harder gemstones and requires reasonable protection from abrasion. Store separately from harder minerals with soft padding and avoid contact with materials that could scratch the surface. Water cleansing is generally safe for brief contact. Prolonged soaking is not recommended as Calcite is slightly soluble in water and sustained exposure could eventually affect the surface of lower-grade material with high Calcite content. Clean with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ultrasonic equipment, and steam cleaning. The Pyrite inclusions in Lapis Lazuli are generally stable under normal conditions but can tarnish if exposed to sustained humidity or acidic environments. Keep in a stable, dry display environment for long-term preservation of surface quality. Traditional Associations While this guide focuses on the mineralogy and science of Lapis Lazuli, it carries one of the deepest and most geographically widespread cultural and spiritual histories of any gemstone material. Associated across many traditions with truth, wisdom, protection, and connection to the divine, it has been revered from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. In chakra work it is connected to the Throat and Third Eye Chakras. These associations are rooted in deep cultural tradition rather than scientific properties. For a full exploration of how to work with Lapis Lazuli spiritually, see our dedicated spiritual guide. Summary Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphic rock whose deep blue colour is produced by Lazurite, a sulphur-bearing feldspathoid mineral formed through contact metamorphism of limestone. Its characteristic combination of blue, white Calcite, and gold Pyrite has been valued continuously for over six thousand years, making it one of the most historically significant gemstone materials on Earth. From the Royal Standard of Ur to the blue robes of the Virgin Mary in Renaissance painting, its cultural footprint spans civilisations and millennia. Understanding its three-mineral composition, the quality factors that distinguish fine from commercial grade material, and the prevalence of imitations in the market makes it a more rewarding mineral to collect and appreciate at any level. Browse our full Lapis Lazuli collection to find raw specimens, polished pieces, and carved objects. As always, our inbox and DMs are open if you would like guidance or simply wish to explore further. Contact us Love, Laura Further Reading Pyrite: The Mineral That Fooled the World and Still Fascinates It Azurite: The Mineral That Coloured Medieval Paintings Calcite Family Guides Malachite: From Ancient Egyptian Cosmetics to the Winter Palace Sodalite: Embrace Peace and Speak with Clarity Tanzanite: The Gemstone Discovered in 1967 That May Run Out Within Your Lifetime A Beginner’s Guide to Mineral Chemical Properties and Classification A Beginner’s Guide to Mineral Physical Properties

on Mar 10 2025

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