Larimar is a rare blue variety of the mineral pectolite found exclusively in the Dominican Republic. It is highly prized by collectors for its unique sky-blue coloration and white, cloud-like patterns that resemble sunlight filtering through Caribbean waters.
Is this larimar?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch larimar with a known reference. Larimar sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Larimar leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Larimar typically shows a vitreous to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, white, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, fibrous, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Larimar vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to silky on Larimar and waxy on Turquoise.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to silky on Larimar and vitreous on Chrysocolla.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to silky on Larimar and vitreous on Smithsonite.
Often found alongside larimar
Minerals reported to co-occur with larimar. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 2.7-2.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Fibrous, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Lapidary, Jewelry, Collector
- Host rock
- Basaltic Volcanic Cavities
- Typical price
- $10-50 per slab/cabochon, $100+ for high-quality specimens
Where rockhounds find larimar
Classic worldwide localities
- Barahona, Dominican Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic volcanic cavities country — that is the host setting where larimar typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, natrolite, prehnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, fibrous, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find larimar on the map
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