Scientific Name: Pectolite, Sodium Calcium Silicate Hydroxide
Group: Silicates – inosilicates
Chemical composition: NaCa2(Si3O8)(OH)
Colors: Blue, white, tan
Hardness: 4.5 to 5
Formation: Triclinic crystal; Acicular form
Principal Sources: Dominican Republic
Special Notes: Larimar is a rare blue variety of pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. This pectolite has cobalt where others have calcium, resulting in a vivid blue color. The mining and sale of larimar is strictly controled by the source country, resulting in monopoly type pricing.