Larimar, a gemstone as captivating as the Caribbean sea from which it originates, is a favorite among jewelers and lapidary artists alike. Its unique blue hues, reminiscent of clear tropical waters, make it a sought-after material for creating stunning and distinctive pieces. As someone who has worked extensively with Larimar, I’d like to share some insights into working with this beautiful stone.
Cutting and Shaping Larimar
When beginning to work with Larimar, cutting is the first crucial step. I find that using a diamond blade, whether on a hanging motor or a diamond slabbing machine, provides the cleanest and most efficient cut. The hardness of Larimar requires diamond tools to ensure precision and minimize material loss. It’s important to remember that while Larimar is relatively easy to work with, it can be shock-sensitive, particularly during the initial heavy cutting or grinding stages. This sensitivity is actually beneficial in a way; any inherent weaknesses are likely to reveal themselves early in the process, which is preferable to discovering them after the piece is finished.
Polishing Techniques for Larimar
Once the Larimar is cut and shaped, the polishing process is where its true beauty emerges. For smaller, carved pieces, I start with a Mizzy wheel to remove the bulk of material and then progress to finer diamond wheels and burrs for refining the shape. Larimar is wonderfully responsive to polishing, readily achieving a high shine. My go-to method involves a sanding mandrel, starting with 220 grit sandpaper and moving through progressively finer grits up to 1200 grit, followed by polishing paper. This sequence results in a brilliant, bright polish. To achieve a ‘water polish’ finish, that extra level of luster, I use a 50,000 grit diamond paste mixed with olive oil, applied with a small felt buff. This final step truly brings out the stone’s inherent radiance.
Considerations for Tumbling Larimar
For those interested in tumbling Larimar, it can be done successfully with careful attention. Larimar’s tendency to split along its natural white and blue lines is a key consideration. However, I view this tendency as advantageous in the long run. If splitting is going to occur, it’s better for it to happen during the tumbling, cutting, or polishing stages rather than after the stone has been set and sold. While Larimar isn’t overly heat-sensitive within reasonable working temperatures, its shock sensitivity during heavy grinding should be kept in mind even when tumbling.
Setting Larimar in Jewelry
High-quality Larimar deserves to be set in equally high-quality jewelry. It’s surprising to see such a beautiful and relatively rare gemstone often set in poorly crafted silver jewelry. In my own work, I exclusively use 18ct gold for setting Larimar, ensuring that the setting complements the stone’s inherent value and beauty. When considering Larimar for rings, it’s best to treat these pieces with the same care you would give to a Tanzanite ring. Just as with any material, the quality of the finished piece is directly related to the quality of the raw material you begin with – “rubbish in, rubbish out” as the old saying goes. Always strive to work with the best quality Larimar you can obtain.
For examples of finished Larimar pieces set in gold, please visit my website. There you can explore firsthand the beauty and potential of this captivating gemstone.
Cheers,
Hans Meevis
