Larimar
Variety of pectolite
Rare · NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH)
A blue variety of pectolite found only in a single locality in the Dominican Republic, in the Sierra de Bahoruco. Its sky-blue colour is attributed to copper. Formed in cavities of volcanic basalt flows.
Identity
- Formula
- NaCa₂Si₃O₈(OH)
- Chemical class
- Silicate
- Also known as
- Blue pectolite, Stefilia's stone, Dolphin stone
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Habits
- Massive, Fibrous
- Fracture
- Splintery
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.86 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous, Silky
- Colors
- sky blue, blue, blue-green, white
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Opaque, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Volcanic
- Host rocks
- Volcanic rock
- Associated minerals
- Calcite, Hematite
- Geography
- Dominican Republic (Sierra de Bahoruco only)
Classification
- Rarity
- Rare
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Water, Air
- Effects
- Healing, Mind
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- Larimar. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- Larimar. Gemdat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- R. E. Woodruff, E. Fritsch, Blue pectolite from the Dominican Republic. Gems & Gemology, 25 (4), 216-225, Gemological Institute of America, 1989.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Pectolite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- Pectolite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
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