History · Geology
About Filipinas Mine (Los Chupaderos)
The Filipinas mine at Los Chupaderos in the Sierra de Bahoruco, southwestern Dominican Republic, is the world’s only source of larimar — the sky-blue copper-bearing variety of pectolite. The unique blue color is found nowhere else, making the gem essentially exclusive to this island deposit.
Geology
Larimar forms as a hydrothermal infill in basalt vesicles within a Cretaceous oceanic-arc volcanic sequence. Copper substitution for calcium produces the signature blue, with manganese impurities giving the dendritic black inclusions characteristic of the gem.
Notable Minerals
Larimar (sky-blue cuprian pectolite — world-exclusive), pectolite (white parent variety), prehnite, natrolite, aragonite, calcite. Larimar also exhibits color-zoning in single nodules from sky-blue to white.
Collector Notes
Larimar mining is small-scale and seasonal due to landslide risk. Premium “AAA” sky-blue grade from deeper levels commands top prices. Caribbean tourism markets and Asian gem markets are the principal consumers.
