Larimar

Larimar is an interesting blue green stone only found in the Dominican Republic – it is fairly rare and typically sold polished.

Due to its rarity and the fact it is only found in a single, fairly small locale, it can be quite an expensive stone.

Larimar is a variety of Pectolite and is typically only used for jewellery and for decorations.

 

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Appearance

A swirling blue green stone with vein, feather, or spray-like areas of white and pale blue running through it.
This creates a lovely contrast – the more contrasting, the more prized the material.


Uses and History

As far as I’m aware, Larimar is exclusively used as a decorative stone, and particularly for jewellery usage.

It was discovered in 1974 and has grown in popularity since, with the increase in social media and internet access making it more accessible to the world.


Locales

Larimar occurs exclusively within the Dominican Republic, particularly the city of Barahona.


Mineralogy

Chemistry
A blue variety of Pectolite, with the formula NaCu2Si3O8(OH) or NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Colours and Variations
Light blue, blue green, deep blue. Less commonly there are greens, red spots, etc caused by oxidation and inclusions.
Streak
Luster
Silky and subvitreous
Fracture
Uneven
Crystal habit
Tabular, fibrous, columnar, massive.
Mohs hardness
4.5 – 5.0
Specific Gravity
2.84 – .90
Easiest testing method
Visual inspection, hardness test. Be wary of any stone without at least some areas of white or pale blue – check the opacity of the stone. Genuine Larimar is opaque and cloudy.
Common Treatments
None known.

Hazards and Warnings

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.


Translations

Arabic:

  • لاريمار

Hindi:

Portuguese:

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

  • ਲਾਰੀਮਾਰ

English:

Italian:

Russian:

French:

Japanese:

  • ラリマー

Spanish:

German:

Korean:

Thai:

Gujurati:

  • લારીમાર

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 拉里马尔
  • 拉里馬爾

Urdu:


Further Reading / External Links