How to Tell if Your Larimar is Real or Fake?

By Gemexi Team | Gemology
  • Updated On Mar 30, 2024
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How to Tell if Your Larimar is Real or Fake?

Larimar is a rare and beautiful gemstone found only in the Dominican Republic, and it is important to ensure that the larimar you have is genuine before making any purchases. Here are some tips to help you tell if your larimar is real or fake:
 

  1. Look for color consistency: Genuine larimar is characterized by a blue-green color with white streaks, giving it a unique appearance. Fake larimar stones may have a consistent color or an artificial-looking shade of blue.
     
  2. Check for impurities: Genuine larimar often has small inclusions or impurities, such as small black or brown spots, which are natural to the stone. If the stone appears too perfect or has no impurities, it may be a fake.
     
  3. Check the weight: Larimar is a dense stone; genuine stones will feel heavier than similarly sized pieces made from other materials. If the stone feels too light, it may be a fake.
     
  4. Check the texture: Larimar is a smooth stone often polished to a high shine. If the stone's surface feels rough or has visible scratches, it may be a fake.
     
  5. Look for certification: If you're purchasing larimar from a reputable seller, they should be able to provide you with a certificate of authenticity. This certificate will provide information about the stone's origin, quality, and authenticity.
     
  6. Purchase from reputable sources: Buy your larimar from established jewelers or dealers specializing in authentic larimar stones.
Considering these factors, you should be able to tell whether your larimar stone is real or fake.
 

How can you tell good quality Larimar?

Here are some factors to look for to determine the quality of larimar:
 
  1. Color: The most desirable larimar stones are bright blue with white streaks or patterns. Blue should be consistent throughout the stone and not appear faded or washed out.
     
  2. Transparency: High-quality larimar stones should have a certain level of transparency, allowing light to pass through the stone.
     
  3. Clarity: Larimar stones may contain inclusions or impurities, but high-quality stones should have minimal visible flaws or blemishes.
     
  4. Luster: Larimar should have a bright and glossy appearance, which indicates a high level of polish and quality.
     
  5. Cut: The cut of the stone can also affect its quality. High-quality larimar stones are well-proportioned and symmetrically cut.
     
  6. Size and Weight: High-quality larimar stones are typically larger and heavier than lower-quality stones of the same size.
     
  7. Origin: Larimar stones sourced directly from the Dominican Republic, where the stone is naturally found, are considered higher quality than those sourced from other locations.
By examining these factors, you should be able to determine the quality of a larimar stone. Remember that the value of a larimar stone is ultimately determined by its overall beauty, rarity, desirability, and a combination of all these factors.
 

Can you get a fake Larimar?

Yes, unfortunately, fake larimar stones do exist. Due to the high demand for this beautiful gemstone, some unscrupulous dealers may attempt to pass off fake stones as genuine. It is essential to be aware of this possibility and to take steps to ensure you purchase a real larimar stone. As mentioned earlier, one way to ensure that you get a genuine larimar is to purchase from reputable sources and look for a certificate of authenticity. It is also essential to be aware of the characteristics of genuine larimar, as mentioned in my previous answer so that you can inspect the stone closely before making a purchase. Taking these precautions can reduce the risk of purchasing a fake larimar stone.

2 Comments
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  • Leah
    Aug 6, 2022, 6:38:32 AM

    It is a big deal that how to identify whether Larimar is real or not. I read out this article and now I have complete knowledge of larimar.

  • Reona
    Dec 17, 2022, 11:12:47 AM

    I have a Larimar gemstone pendant. Till now I have not checked whether it is real or not as I was not aware of the ways through which I can check. Thank you for the information.

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