Larimar
Larimar (Blue Pectolite) | ||
---|---|---|
2V angle Measured: 50° to 63°, Calculated: 42° to 60° | | |
Dispersion | r > v weak to very strong | |
References | [1][2][3] |
Larimar is the tradename for a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic, around the city of Barahona.[4] Its coloration varies from bluish white, light-blue, light-green, green-blue, turquoise blue, turquoise green, turquoise blue-green, deep green, dark green, to deep blue, dark blue and purple, violet and indigo and the larimar can come in many varieties and color mixes.[5][6]
History
The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Mining records show that Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren of the
Miguel Méndez and
Geology
Larimar is a type of pectolite or a rock composed largely of pectolite, an acid silicate hydrate of calcium and sodium. Pectolite is found in many locations, but larimar has a unique volcanic blue coloration, which is the result of copper substitution for calcium.[8]
Los Chupaderos
The most important
Jewelry
Larimar jewellery is offered to the public in the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere in the Caribbean as a local speciality. Most jewellery produced is set in silver, but sometimes high-grade larimar is also set in gold.
Quality grading is according to coloration and the typical mineral crystal configuration in the stone. Larimar also comes in green and can have red spots, brown strikes, etc., due to the presence of other minerals or oxidation. The more intense the blue colour and the contrast in the stone, the higher and rarer is the quality. The blue colour is photosensitive and fades with time if exposed to too much light and heat.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ Mindat w/ localities
- ^ Webmineral
- ^ "Larimar". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ "Larimar Jewel Texture on Light Surface Background. Stock Image - Image of backdrop, white: 213753779".
- ^ a b c d e Woodruff, R.E., 1986. Larimar, beautiful, blue and baffling. Lapidary Journal, 39(10), pp.26-32.
- ^ a b c d e Woodruff, R.E. and Fritsch, E., 1989. Blue pectolite from the Dominican Republic. Gems & Gemology, 25(4), pp.216-225.
- ^ Kloprogge, J.T., Wood, B.J. and Desk, S., 2016. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy study of so-called “Larimar”, blue pectolite from the Dominican Republic. SDRP Journal of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies, 1(2). pp.58-67.