Larimar is a rare blue variety of pectolite, a sodium calcium silicate hydroxide mineral, found exclusively in the Dominican Republic where it's celebrated as the national stone. This extraordinary gemstone displays mesmerizing sky-blue to turquoise coloration with distinctive white marbled patterns that resemble sunlight dancing through tropical ocean waters. Formed through volcanic activity millions of years ago, larimar's unique blue coloration comes from copper substitution, making it one of the world's rarest blue gemstones with a single-source origin.
Specifications:
- Color range: Pale sky blue to deep ocean blue with white, cream, or light blue marbled veining; occasional green-blue specimens
- Hardness: 4.5 to 5 on Mohs scale
- Origin: Exclusively from the Barahona Province, Dominican Republic (discovered in 1974)
- Sizes: Available from delicate 8mm cabochons to impressive 50mm+ statement pieces; beads typically range from 10mm to 25mm
- Shapes: Oval and round cabochons, freeform pendants, polished slabs, and tumbled stones; rarely faceted
- Luster: Silky to vitreous when polished, creating smooth lustrous surfaces
- Transparency: Translucent to semi-opaque with natural white veining patterns
- Rarity: Extremely rare and becoming increasingly scarce due to limited mining and difficult extraction
