RocksdayBlue Lace Agate vs Larimar
The quickest way to tell Blue Lace Agate from Larimar: Blue Lace Agate scratches glass (Mohs 6.5–7); Larimar can't (Mohs 4.5–5).
Pale blue and white chalcedony with wavy, lace-like bands. The classic rough came from one Namibian mine.
Photo: I2Overcome, CC0
A sky-blue variety of pectolite with white, water-like patterns, found only in the Dominican Republic.
Photo: Parent Géry, Public domain
Quick tests
- Scratch glass: Blue Lace Agate scratches glass (Mohs 6.5–7); Larimar can't (Mohs 4.5–5).
Key differences
- Larimar is pectolite: softer, and usually a more opaque sea blue.
Side by side
| Property | Blue Lace Agate | Larimar |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 4.5–5 |
| Luster | Waxy | Silky to vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Blue, White | Blue, White |
| Crystal system | Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) | Triclinic |
| Specific gravity | 2.6–2.65 | 2.74–2.88 |
| Formula | SiO₂ | NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH) |
| Found in | Namibia | Barahona Province, Dominican Republic |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify blue lace agate
- Soft sky blue and white in wavy bands, not a deep dyed blue.
- Translucent at the edges.
- Hard enough to scratch glass.
Crystal system: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)
Full Blue Lace Agate guide →How to identify larimar
- Sky to sea blue with white swirls, like light on water.
- Fibrous texture with a silky sheen.
- Fairly soft — a knife scratches it.
Crystal system: Triclinic
Full Larimar guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between blue lace agate and larimar?
Blue Lace Agate is a mineral (SiO₂) with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a waxy luster, usually blue or white. Larimar is a mineral with a Mohs hardness of 4.5–5 and a silky to vitreous luster, usually blue or white.
How can you tell blue lace agate from larimar?
Blue Lace Agate scratches glass (Mohs 6.5–7); Larimar can't (Mohs 4.5–5). Larimar is pectolite: softer, and usually a more opaque sea blue.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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