Larimar

Gem larimar comes from the Sierra de Baoruco, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic, where it was originally described from the Filipinas Larimar Mine at Los Checheses; Mindat reported in 2023 that this mine was closed. Pectolite typically forms in cavities in basaltic rocks with zeolites and in lime-rich metamorphic rocks; other pectolite sources such as Canada and the USA produce different, non-blue material.

Larimar shows white and blue zones with a fibrous texture and may contain fern-like red hematite "plumes"; fibrous material can show chatoyancy, and the RI spot reading is about 1.60. No synthetic pectolite is known, but ceramics and glasses such as "Victoria Stone" and "Imori Stone" are used as simulants, and some larimar resembles turquoise or dyed howlite; standard gemological tests separate them. Paler, whiter and slightly translucent larimar is sold by bead suppliers as "Ice Larimar"; this is a trade description of larimar, not a separate material.

Quartz, topaz, corundum and diamond will scratch larimar, so store it separately from such jewelry and use protective settings for rings. Clean it with a soft brush, mild detergent and warm water.

Pectolite was named in 1828 by Franz von Kobell. Blue pectolite was found in the Dominican Republic in 1974 by Miguel Méndez and Norman Rilling; the name Larimar combines "Lari", short for Larissa, the name of Méndez's oldest daughter, with the Spanish mar ("sea").