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Larimar

UNB-2017-0108Minerals » Silicates » Inosilicates

Description

Sample of massive blue Larimar with a silky lustre. Larimar (NaCa2Si3O8(OH)) is a rare mineral that has only been found in the Dominican Republic. This mineral can be various shades of blue or blue-green in colour. Lustre is silky to sub vitreous and hardness is 4 1/2 to 5. Cleavage is perfect in two directions. Larimar usually occurs as tabular or acicular crystals but can also be radiating or fibrous, spheroidal, columnar or massive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larimar

Specifications

Object nameLarimar
IDUNB-2017-0108
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Silicates
Sub-group:
Inosilicates
Composition
  • MgSiO3
  • Na2Fe2+5[Si12O30]
  • (Na,Ca)Fe3+Si2O6
  • NaFe3+Si2O6
  • NaFe3+Si2O6
  • A0-1B2C5T8O22(OH,F,Cl)2
  • NaAlSi2O6
  • Mg2Si2O6
  • CaMgSi2O6
  • CaFeSi2O6
  • CaSiO3
  • Ca2(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)5(Si,Al)8O22(OH)2
  • Ca2(Mg5.0-4.5Fe2+0.0-0.5)Si8O22(OH)2
  • LiAlSi2O6
  • MnSiO3
  • (Mn,Fe)SiO3
  • ADSi2O6
  • Ca2Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)2·H2O
  • (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe)Si2O6
  • NaCa2Si3O8(OH)2H2O
  • Mg2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2
OriginDominican Republic
Pieces1
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 9.5cm x 7.5cm x 4cm

Map of Origin