Larimar

A sky-blue variety of pectolite with white, water-like patterns, found only in the Dominican Republic.

Larimar specimen — Photo: Parent Géry, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Often confused with

Turquoise
Turquoise is waxy and has dark matrix veins.
Compare side by side
Chalcedony
Blue chalcedony is harder and lacks the fibrous patterning.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Barahona Province, Dominican Republic

Uses

Jewelry.

Rock tumbling

Can be tumbled with care. Fades if left in strong sunlight.

Did you know?

Its name blends 'Larissa', the finder's daughter, with 'mar', Spanish for sea.

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