Larimar Cabochons Mixed Shapes

Dominican Larimar cabochons in mixed shapes: teardrop, oval, and rectangular. Each piece displays the characteristic turquoise to sky blue of blue pectolite, with white veins that evoke sea foam. Sourced from the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic: the only place in the world where this mineral is extracted.

Piece specifications

This specific piece

The mixed shapes lot includes pieces in different silhouettes from the same base material. This variety is deliberate: it allows the jeweler to evaluate how the material responds — its color, its veins, its luster — without committing to a single silhouette before designing the setting. More intensely colored pieces (AAA grade) tend to be more uniform in color; lighter-toned pieces show more pronounced white veins.

The pattern of white veins in each piece is unique. In some, the veins form curves reminiscent of waves; in others, they create angular figures or diffuse spots. This natural variability is, for many jewelers, the main appeal of larimar: each setting will be different because each stone is different.

Larimar and its unique origin

Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite, a calcium and sodium silicate (NaCa2Si3O8(OH)) which in its typical form is white or grayish and lacks gemological value. The blue variety from the Dominican Republic owes its color to traces of copper that partially replace calcium in the crystal lattice. This substitution only occurred under very specific geological conditions, in a single volcanic vein in the province of Barahona.

For what mounting it works

• Closed bezel in 925 silver — With Mohs 4.5–5, larimar needs edge protection. A well-fitting bezel prevents the piece from chipping from side impacts.
• Pendants with closed silver settings — Mixed formats (teardrop or oval) allow for central pendants where the vein pattern becomes the main design.
• Wire wrap in 925 silver or argentium — For free-form or rectangular pieces, wire wrap allows for the construction of a setting that follows the irregular silhouette without requiring soldering.

Larimar in the crystal tradition

Since its rediscovery in 1974, larimar has become one of the most sought-after minerals in Latin American and North American designer jewelry. Its Caribbean sea color and its geographical exclusivity — it only exists in one vein in the world — make it a piece with inherent history.

The symbolic associations attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.

How to recognize authentic larimar

Genuine larimar is opaque, with a waxy to vitreous luster and white veins that form wave patterns or natural spots. Under magnification, the surface shows a fine microcrystalline texture without gas bubbles. The most common imitations are dyed turquoise (more porous, with black veins instead of white), dyed chalcedony (more translucent and uniform in color), and synthetic resin (lighter and with a plastic sheen).

Frequently asked questions

Is the larimar in this lot from the Dominican Republic?

Yes. Larimar only exists in a single vein in the Sierra de Bahoruco, Barahona province, Dominican Republic. Material acquired through a lapidary wholesaler with declared origin in the D.R.

Is the larimar treated?

No detectable treatment. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification. The blue color is intrinsic to the chemical composition (traces of copper).

See also: complete cabochon collection. For setting inspiration, visit silversmithing.