Where is Larimar found?
Pectolite (a variety of)
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Open the appLarimar occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Larimar
Barahona Province, Dominican Republic
The only known significant deposit of Larimar in the world is located in the Filipinas Mine, in the Los Chupaderos area, approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the city of Barahona, in the Sierra de Bahoruco mountain range. It is found in ancient volcanic vents and pockets within basaltic lavas.
Collecting tips
- Geological Context. Larimar is found in specific geological settings: within the amygdaloidal cavities of altered basaltic volcanic rocks. Prospecting would involve identifying such volcanic formations and looking for vugs or veins containing blue fibrous material.
- Color and Pattern Recognition. Look for the characteristic sky-blue to deep-blue color, often with white or lighter blue patterns. The fibrous texture is also a key indicator.
- Hardness Test (Caution). While not recommended for valuable specimens, a scratch test could differentiate it from harder minerals. Larimar has a Mohs hardness of 4.5-5, meaning it can be scratched by a steel knife (hardness 5.5) but will scratch gypsum (hardness 2) and calcite (hardness 3).
- Associated Minerals. Larimar is often found alongside other minerals such as hematite, natrolite, calcite, and various zeolites within the volcanic host rock.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Sky blue to deep blue, often with white patterns.
- Luster:
- Silky to vitreous.
- Streak:
- White.
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