larimar

{{infobox mineral | name = Larimar (Blue Pectolite) | category = Inosilicate mineral | image = Larimar.jpg | boxbgcolor = #71b5bd | boxtextcolor = #FFFFFF | imagesize = 260px | caption = Larimar specimen from Dominican Republic | formula = NaCa2Si3O8(OH) | molweight = | strunz = | dana = | system = Triclinic | class = Pinacoidal () (same H-M symbol) | symmetry = P | unit cell = a = 7.99 Å, b = 7.03 Å, c = 7.03 Å; α = 90.51°, β = 95.21°, γ = 102.53°; Z = 2 | color = Shades of blue, blue-green | colour = | habit = Tabular to acicular, radiating fibrous, spheroidal, or columnar; massive | twinning = Twin axis [010] with composition plane [100], common | cleavage = Perfect on {100} and {001} | fracture = Uneven | tenacity = Brittle; tough when compact | mohs = 4.5 - 5 | luster = Silky, subvitreous | streak = | diaphaneity = Translucent to opaque | gravity = 2.84 - 2.90 | density = | polish = | opticalprop = Biaxial (+) | refractive = nα = 1.594 - 1.610 nβ = 1.603 - 1.614 nγ = 1.631 - 1.642 | birefringence = δ = 0.037 | pleochroism = | 2V = Measured: 50° to 63°, Calculated: 42° to 60° | dispersion = r > v weak to very strong | extinction = | length fast/slow = | fluorescence= | other = | alteration = | references = }} Larimar is the tradename for a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite found only in Dominican Republic, around the city of Barahona. 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.

== History == Dominican Republic's Ministry of Mining records show that Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren of the Barahona Parish requested permission on 22 November 1916 to explore and exploit the mine of a certain blue rock that he had discovered. Pectolites were not yet known in Dominican Republic, and the request was rejected.