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Larimar

· 1 min read · Materials

Larimar is a sky-blue stone with white veins (4.5-5 on Mohs) found only in the Dominican Republic; beautiful but soft.

Illustration: Larimar

Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite found only in one area of the Dominican Republic. It recalls the Caribbean sea with its sky blues and white veins.

Properties #

  • Composition: sodium calcium silicate (pectolite) with copper.
  • Hardness: 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale.
  • Color: sky blue to greenish blue with white veins.
  • Origins: Dominican Republic (only known origin)
  • Treatments: not usually treated.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Cabochons, beads and pendants.
  • Earrings and bracelets.
  • Caribbean keepsake jewelry.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Unique, evocative color.
  • Easy to carve.
  • Exclusive origin.

Limitations #

  • Soft and scratches.
  • Sensitive to heat and chemicals.
  • Imitations are very common.

Care and cleaning #

  • Clean with a soft cloth and lukewarm water.
  • Do not use ultrasonic or heat.
  • Avoid prolonged intense sun.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.