Dominican Larimar · Education, documented specimens & direct enquiries

Field Guide · Grading

How we describe Larimar

The Larimar Miner grading guide is a house vocabulary for recording visible colour, pattern, translucency and condition. It is not an official industry standard or a substitute for laboratory identification.

A polished blue Larimar specimen held beside the sea.

Larimar Grading

How we grade Larimar

We assess every piece across a fixed set of properties. Each visual type gives different context, while condition and measured facts remain separate.

Primary properties
ColourPatternConditionClarity
Additional scoring
SizeShape
Additional observations
TranslucencyChatoyancyOther rare features
Color Pattern Condition Clarity Size Shape Translucency Rare features
Super Blue Iron Larimar

Larimar appears as rough material, polished stones and finished jewellery. A useful catalog record separates what can be seen from what has been measured or independently verified.

Our visual type is only one part of that record. Dimensions, weight, structural condition, workmanship, treatments and supporting provenance are documented separately when available.

A visual grade is a description, not proof of identity, origin or future value.

Larimar Miner grading principle
Observed
Colour and pattern are recorded as visible characteristics under ordinary viewing conditions.
Measured
Weight and dimensions come from the individual catalog record, not estimates based on a photograph.
Versioned
The house vocabulary can be revised as evidence and cataloging practice improve.

The Ten Types

The Larimar spectrum

High colour contrast

AAA Top Grade

Colour & contrast

Our AAA category describes pieces with strong blue colour, clear contrast and well-defined surface pattern. It is a house grading term, not an industry certification.

Colour Light Blue to Blue, high contrast
Pattern Ocean & Turtleback · Flat possible
View AAA Top Grade pieces →
A polished teardrop-shaped Larimar palm stone held for scale. cabochons
Exclusive Larimar Azure Gold Pendant - Perfect Sphere — Larimar specimen photograph. teardrop
Exclusive Larimar Azure Gold Pendant — Larimar specimen photograph. obelisk
Branching natural pattern

Fractal

Pattern-led category

This category records a branching or repeating pattern visible across the face of the material. Pattern strength is described separately from condition and colour.

Colour All hues of Blue or Green
Pattern Detailed Fractal
View Fractal pieces →
A tall polished Larimar freeform with strong blue patterning. fractal tube
Awesome Fractal Larimar Tube — Larimar specimen photograph. polished tube
Larimar "Azure Nebula" Majestic Grand Fractal Larimar+Super Blue Larimar Sovereign Desk Guardian — Larimar specimen photograph. square cut
Deep blue colour

Super Blue

Colour-led category

Our Super Blue category describes unusually deep, saturated blue material. Colour alone does not establish a recovery depth, mine location or laboratory identity.

Colour Deep Blue
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Fractal · Turtleback
View Super Blue pieces →
Raw Super Blue Larimar — Larimar specimen photograph. elongated
Magnificent Huge Super Blue Larimar Slab — Larimar specimen photograph. in hand
Amazing Super Blue Larimar "Art of the Ocean" — Larimar specimen photograph. large slab
Lower contrast range

AA to A Grade

Colour & contrast

AA to A describes material with softer colour, lower contrast or less defined pattern than our AAA category. Condition is recorded independently.

Colour All hues of Blue / Green, low contrast
Pattern Random or even Fractal
View AA to A Grade pieces →
A polished blue heart-shaped Larimar specimen. heart
Several polished Larimar palm stones displayed in one hand. spheres
A hand holding several polished Larimar stones. tumbled
Green colour range

Green

Colour-led category

This category records material whose visible colour is predominantly green. Pattern, translucency and condition are described as separate observations.

Colour Green
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Turtleback · Fractal
View Green pieces →
A polished Green Larimar sphere on a clear stand. carved
A Green Larimar sphere with blue, green and white patterning. sphere
Amazing Big Super Blue and Green Larimar Heart — Larimar specimen photograph. swirl sphere
Pale blue and white

Angelic

Colour-led category

Angelic is our descriptive name for lightly coloured white-and-blue material. The term describes appearance only and carries no spiritual or medical claim.

Colour White & Blue
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Turtleback · Fractal
View Angelic pieces →
Several finished Larimar forms arranged on a light background. shells & stars
Big Angelic Larimar Heart — Larimar specimen photograph. heart
Big Angelic Larimar Heart — Larimar specimen photograph. veined heart
Red and iron-toned features

Iron

Inclusion-led category

Iron identifies red, brown or iron-toned features visible with blue or green material. The catalog describes observations without inferring composition from appearance alone.

Colour Red · Green · Blue
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Turtleback · Fractal
View Iron pieces →
A polished Larimar sphere showing blue patterning and copper-coloured inclusions. blue + copper
Larimar Red Iron Hearts — Larimar specimen photograph. inclusions
Rare* MEGA Super Blue Larimar Tube with Iron — Larimar specimen photograph. three hearts
Visible metallic features

Copper

Inclusion-led category

This category is used when metallic-looking features are visible. A visual category is not a compositional test; verified analytical results are stated separately when held.

Colour All
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Turtleback · Random · Fractal
View Copper pieces →
A polished Copper Larimar pendant with visible dark inclusions. pendant
Spectacular Super Blue Larimar Slab with Copper — Larimar specimen photograph. oval
Magnificent Super Blue Larimar Slab with Copper — Larimar specimen photograph. large pendant
Dark-toned material

Black

Colour-led category

Black is our visual category for dark grey or black material with contrasting colour or pattern. Mineral identity and hardness require appropriate testing.

Colour Black with Grey, Red, Green or Blue
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Random · Symmetrical
View Black pieces →
A polished dark Black Larimar specimen held for scale. banded
Beautiful Rare Big Black Larimar Sphere with Base — Larimar specimen photograph. layered
Black Larimar Cabochon — Larimar specimen photograph. ammonite-like
Mixed-colour compositions

Art Larimar

Pattern-led category

Art Larimar is our descriptive category for mixed-colour material whose pattern does not fit one of the narrower visual groups.

Colour Red · Green · Blue
Pattern Flat · Ocean · Turtleback · Fractal · Art Deco
View Art Larimar pieces →
Hand holding a polished multicoloured Art Larimar specimen. multicolor
Stunning Super Blue Larimar Art Slab with Copper — Larimar specimen photograph. oval
Stunning Super Blue Larimar Art Slab with Copper — Larimar specimen photograph. large slab
[ Dominican shore ]

How an offer is assessed

A visual type does not create a universal price. Any public offer belongs to one documented specimen or option and states its currency and amount. The assessment also considers measurable facts and the condition of the piece.

Three parts of an item-specific assessment
01
Record weight, dimensions, form and visible grading observations for the specific piece.
02
Describe condition, inclusions, repairs, treatments and workmanship without hiding material limitations.
03
Publish an item-specific offer only after availability, seller, currency and supporting catalog data are confirmed.

Undated price-per-weight charts and forecasts are intentionally not published as grading facts. Historical market reporting needs a named source, date and methodology.

Contact Larimar Miner

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For personal help with a specimen, a purchase, or Larimar in general, start a private conversation here on our website.

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