mineral
Larimar
Pectolite, NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Hardness: 4.5-5.0 on Mohs scale; Color: sky-blue, sea-green, white; Luster: Vitreous to silky; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
- Hardness
- 4
- Color
- sky-blue, sea-green, white
- Luster
- Vitreous to silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 4.5-5.0 on Mohs scale; Color: sky-blue, sea-green, white; Luster: Vitreous to silky; Crystal Structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions; Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed within basaltic lavas in the Sierra de Baoruco during the Miocene epoch. Copper substitution for calcium gives it the distinct blue hue.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in high-quality jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and as a popular specimen for crystal collectors.
Geological facts
Larimar is found in only one location in the world: the Filipinas Mine in Los Checheses, Dominican Republic. It was named by Miguel Méndez, combining his daughter's name 'Larissa' and the Spanish word for sea, 'mar'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its unique 'sea-and-sky' mottled blue and white pattern with distinct fibrous structures. It is exclusively found in the Dominican Republic.
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