Larimar

Pectolite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: March 2024
Larimar Polished Larimar Rough Larimar Jewelry

Larimar is the blue to greenish blue, massive variety of pectolite. It started to be actively mined in the Barahona Province in southwestern Dominican Republic starting in 1974. Miguel Mendez a local resident, that promoted larimar, named the stone in honor of his daughter Lari and the Spanish word mar that means sea.

General Information

Common Name
Larimar
Species
Pectolite
Transparency
Opaque-Opaque
Refractive Index
1.590-1.630 Tolerance: (+0.017/-0.004)
Birefringence
0.029-0.038
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to strong greenish yellow or orange
LWUV: Inert to moderate greenish yellow or orange
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
4.5-6.0
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
2.620-2.900 Typical:2.810
Toughness
Varies
Inclusions
Under magnification larimar has tiny spheres that have blue center and white outer edge.
Luster
Vitreous, Silky
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery
Cleavage
Perfect, in two directions
Chemical Formula
NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Crystal System
Triclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Larimar Colors

  • Blue Larimar
    Blue
  • Blue Larimar
    Blue
  • Gray Larimar
    Gray
  • White Larimar
    White

Countries of Origin

Unknown; Dominican Republic

Care

Larimar is soft, so be mindful of scratching. Requires gentle handling. Care turn white if exposed to jewelers torch.