Where is Larimar found?
Pectolite (variety Larimar)
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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 Sierra de Baoruco mountain range, near the city of Barahona, in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. It is found in ancient volcanic rocks.
Collecting tips
- Geological Context. Larimar is found in specific geological settings: within the vugs and fractures of Miocene-age basaltic lavas. Prospecting would involve identifying such volcanic formations.
- Associated Minerals. It is often found alongside other minerals such as hematite, natrolite, calcite, and various zeolites within the same volcanic cavities.
- Color and Pattern. Look for distinctive blue to blue-green material, often with white patterns or streaks. The color can fade with prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, so fresh material from deeper within the deposit tends to be more vibrant.
- Hardness Test. Larimar has a Mohs hardness of 4.5-5. It can be scratched by a steel knife (hardness 5.5), which helps differentiate it from harder blue minerals like turquoise or chalcedony.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Sky-blue to greenish-blue with white mottling
- Luster:
- Silky to vitreous
- Streak:
- White
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