mineral

Larimar (Slab)

Pectolite [NaCa2Si3O8(OH)]

Hardness: 4.5-5.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Light blue, white, and sea-foam green; Luster: Vitreous to silky; Crystal Structure: Triclinic (aggregates); Specific Gravity: 2.70-2.90

Hardness: 4
Color: Light blue, white, and sea-foam green
Luster: Vitreous to silky

Identified July 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 4.5-5.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Light blue, white, and sea-foam green; Luster: Vitreous to silky; Crystal Structure: Triclinic (aggregates); Specific Gravity: 2.70-2.90

Formation & geological history

Formed by hydrothermal activity in basaltic lavas. As hot fluids circulated through volcanic vents, copper-rich pectolite crystallized into cavities. It is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry (cabochons, beads, pendants) and as a highly sought-after collector gemstone.

Geological facts

Larimar is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth because it is found in only a single square kilometer in the mountains of Barahona. Its blue color is unique for its species, caused by copper substituting for calcium.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic blue and white 'needle-like' or 'cloud-like' patterns and volcanic basalt matrix. It is sometimes called the Dolphin Stone or Atlantis Stone.