Alexei Volkov
Larimar, also known as the ''Mermaid stone'' or 'Atlantis stone', is a semi-precious stone that closely resembles turquoise. Due to its unique beauty and rarity, it has become one of the hottest gemstones on the market, with its value increasing several times over in recent years. As a result, many vendors have been selling fake Larimar made of plastic, glass, resin, or common stones that are stained or dyed to resemble the real thing. To spot fake Larimar plastic beads, one can perform a 'lighter test' by heating a needle and pressing it against the stone. If the stone starts melting, it is definitely plastic or resin. Another test is to check the stone's photosensitivity—authentic Larimar is highly photosensitive and will start to change colour and fade when exposed to sunlight for a long duration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Real Larimar is either aqua blue or turquoise with pearl white streaks and clouds of earthy tones. It can also have shades of green, yellow, brown, grey, black, violet or rose. |
| Opacity | Larimar is opaque, cloudy and hazy. Light does not pass through it. |
| Photosensitivity | Larimar is highly photosensitive and will start to fade when exposed to sunlight for a long time. |
| Temperature | Larimar will always be cool to the touch. |
| Scratch test | Larimar is softer than many other gemstones, so it can be scratched by a harder stone. |
| Lighter test | Heat a needle and press it against the stone. If the stone starts melting, it is plastic or resin. |
| Origin | Larimar comes from the Dominican Republic. |
| Turtlebacking pattern | Real Larimar has a distinctive turtlebacking pattern on the backside. |
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What You'll Learn
- Check the stone's temperature: real Larimar is cool to the touch
- Observe the stone's colour: Larimar is aqua blue or turquoise with pearl white streaks
- Test the stone's photosensitivity: real Larimar fades in prolonged sun exposure
- Check the stone's opacity: light does not pass through genuine Larimar
- Conduct the lighter test: heat a needle and press it against the stone. Plastic or resin melts
Check the stone's temperature: real Larimar is cool to the touch
One of the most effective ways to spot fake Larimar is to check the stone's temperature. Real Larimar is always cool to the touch, even in warm conditions, due to its natural properties. On the other hand, plastic imitations will take on the temperature of their surroundings.
A quick way to test this is to place the stone against your cheek. If it feels unusually warm or adjusts too quickly to the ambient temperature, it is likely a synthetic or imitation stone. Real Larimar is also relatively soft compared to other gemstones, with a Mohs hardness of 4.5-5, so it can be scratched by harder materials like quartz.
Larimar is a rare blue stone, often with pearl white streaks and clouds of earthy tones, that is only found in the Dominican Republic. Its unique beauty and rarity have made it one of the hottest new gemstones on the market, unfortunately attracting shady dealers. Due to the high demand and low supply, authentic Larimar can be expensive, especially for high-quality pieces. Therefore, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
It is important to note that Larimar beads are particularly challenging to authenticate due to their small size and the fact that they are often cut from gemstone ends and mixed pieces. As a result, it is estimated that up to 90% of Larimar beads on the market are fake. To increase your chances of purchasing authentic Larimar, it is recommended to buy from reputable sources, looking for the unique Larimar texture in the beads.
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Observe the stone's colour: Larimar is aqua blue or turquoise with pearl white streaks
The colour of a Larimar stone is a key indicator of its authenticity. Genuine Larimar is characterised by an aqua blue, turquoise, or blue-green colour with pearl white streaks and clouds of earthy tones. The blue colour ranges from light sky blue to darker, vibrant blue hues with some blue-green overtones in parts. It is normal for it to have occasional small dark brown or black inclusions here and there, with the most perfect pieces lacking these impurities.
The most desirable Larimar stones are bright blue with consistent colour throughout the stone, not appearing faded or washed out, and with white streaks or patterns. If the crystal gives a monochromatic vibe, it is likely a fake. The white streaks in genuine Larimar are described as creamy white, soft, or pearl-like, and they often resemble watercolour paintings with their gentle blue gradations.
Dyed stones, such as dyed Howlite, Quartz, or Amazonite, are sometimes used as substitutes for Larimar but lack the natural colour variation of real Larimar. They tend to lean towards the green end of the spectrum and have a slightly translucent look with a consistent colour. They can also have highly concentrated spots of colour where the dye has absorbed into cracks and voids in the stone. However, it is important to note that while it is unusual, there are occasionally pieces of genuine Larimar that are somewhat translucent when held up to the light, especially if they have a very dense crystalline structure or a thin cut.
Additionally, fake Larimar made of plastic or resin will often have a uniform colour and display consistent and repeating patterns, lacking the unique colour variations and streaks of genuine Larimar.
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Test the stone's photosensitivity: real Larimar fades in prolonged sun exposure
Larimar is a rare gemstone that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unfortunately, its high demand and value have also led to an increase in fake Larimar stones on the market. These imitations are often made of plastic, resin, glass, or common stones that are stained or dyed to resemble Larimar.
One way to distinguish real Larimar from these fakes is to test its photosensitivity. Authentic Larimar is highly photosensitive and will start to change colour and fade when exposed to sunlight for an extended period. This sensitivity to sunlight is due to its unique composition and formation from hot mineral-rich fluids in cavities in basaltic lava.
To perform this test, you can place your Larimar stone in direct sunlight for a prolonged duration and observe any changes in colour or fading. Real Larimar will gradually fade, whereas fake Larimar made of plastic, resin, or glass may not show the same level of colour change or fading. It's important to note that even real Larimar can vary in its sensitivity to sunlight, and some pieces may be more susceptible to fading than others.
Additionally, you can also perform the "lighter test" to check if your stone is made of plastic or resin. Heat a needle by holding it in a flame, then press it against the stone. If the stone starts to melt, it is definitely made of resin or plastic, as a real Larimar stone will not be affected by heat.
It's important to be vigilant when purchasing Larimar due to the prevalence of fake stones on the market. By understanding the unique characteristics of real Larimar, including its photosensitivity, you can make more informed decisions and avoid being tricked by fraudulent dealers.
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Check the stone's opacity: light does not pass through genuine Larimar
The opacity of a gemstone refers to how transparent or see-through it is. Opacity is the opposite of transparency, so a stone that is opaque will not allow light to pass through it.
Larimar is a semi-precious stone that is typically opaque, although some stones may exhibit slight translucency. To check the opacity of a Larimar stone, hold it up to a light source. The best light source to use is natural light, as this will give the most accurate results. Observe whether light passes through the stone. If light passes through the stone, it is not genuine Larimar. Fake Larimar is often made from glass or resin, and these materials will allow light to pass through.
It is worth noting that the thickness of the stone can affect its opacity. The thinner the stone, the more likely it is to exhibit translucency. Therefore, thicker pieces of Larimar are more likely to be opaque.
In addition to checking the opacity of a Larimar stone, there are other tests that can be performed to check its authenticity. One such test is the "lighter test", which involves heating a needle and pressing it against the stone. If the stone starts to melt, it is made from resin or plastic. Another test is to scratch the unpolished back of the stone with another stone. Real Larimar is relatively soft, so it will scratch easily.
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Conduct the lighter test: heat a needle and press it against the stone. Plastic or resin melts
Conducting the lighter test is one of the ways to differentiate between a real Larimar stone and a fake one made of plastic or resin. This test involves heating a needle and pressing it against the stone to observe any changes.
Firstly, you will need to heat the needle using a flame. You can use a lighter for this purpose. Be cautious when handling the needle as it will become extremely hot. It is recommended to wear protective gloves or use a pair of tongs to hold the needle during this process.
Once the needle is sufficiently hot, carefully remove it from the flame and gently press it against the stone. Observe the stone closely for any signs of melting or deformation. If the stone starts to melt, it is definitely made of plastic or resin, and you can conclude that it is a fake Larimar. Real Larimar stones will not be affected by heat and will remain solid, as stones are always cool to the touch.
It is important to note that this test should be performed with caution, as it involves working with high temperatures. Ensure that you have a safe surface to work on and avoid any flammable materials or substances that may be affected by the heat.
Additionally, this test may not be suitable for all types of stones, as some gemstones can be damaged or affected by heat. It is always recommended to research the specific characteristics and properties of the stone you are testing before conducting any potentially harmful tests.
While the lighter test is a useful method for detecting plastic or resin imitations, it is not the only way to spot fake Larimar beads. Due to the increasing demand and rarity of Larimar, the market has seen an influx of shady dealers selling fake Larimar made from various materials, including glass, dyed stones, and synthetic materials. To combat this, there are several other tests and observations you can employ to increase your chances of accurately identifying genuine Larimar:
- Visual Inspection: Examine the stone for colour variations, pearl white streaks, and clouds of earthy tones, which are characteristic of real Larimar. Fake stones tend to have a more uniform colour and may lean towards the green spectrum.
- Photosensitivity Test: Authentic Larimar is highly photosensitive and will start to change colour and fade when exposed to sunlight for an extended period.
- Light Transmission Test: Lift the stone up against sunlight and check if light passes through it. Real Larimar should not allow light to pass through, whereas lab-formulated imitations made of glass may show light transmission.
- Scratch Test: Carefully scratch the unpolished back of the stone with another stone or a piece of quartz. Real Larimar is somewhat softer than many other gemstones (Mohs 4.5 - 5), so it should scratch relatively easily.
- Certificate of Authenticity: When purchasing Larimar, look for reputable sources that provide a certificate of authenticity and origin. This ensures that the stone has been verified by experts and reduces the risk of buying a fake product.
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Frequently asked questions
Genuine Larimar is sourced from the Dominican Republic and tends to be opaque, cloudy, and hazy. It is either aqua blue or turquoise in colour with pearl white streaks and clouds of earthy tones. If the stone seems too monochromatic and perfect, it is probably a fake.
Larimar is somewhat softer than many other gemstones used in jewellery (Mohs 4.5-5). It is also highly photosensitive and will start to change colour and fade when exposed to the sun for a long duration.
A common test to differentiate plastic from stone is to heat a needle and press it against the stone. If the stone starts melting, it is plastic or resin. Plastic Larimar tends to have a uniform colour and display consistent and repeating patterns. It will also be at the same temperature as the environment.
Fake Larimar can be made from synthetic materials or common stones that are stained or dyed to resemble Larimar. It is often sold in spheres as it is made of glass. Real Larimar will not have light pass through it and will not react to vinegar.
