| aribbean's outer beauty is enchanting - dazzling | | | | set up a mining operation. His application was |
| turquoise seas, incredible beaches, and colorful | | | | never approved, however, and Larimar remained |
| tropical panoramas. But two of the countries | | | | shrouded in mystery for years to come. |
| found here also have their own brand of | | | | In fact, it continued to go unnoticed by the world |
| “inner beauty” - semi-precious | | | | at large until 1974, when geologist Miguel |
| stones found nowhere else on earth. | | | | Méndez and Peace Corps volunteer |
| Caymanite | | | | Norman Rilling found some of the stones on the |
| Found only in the Cayman Islands on Grand | | | | beach. By following the river up the mountain, |
| Cayman's East End and the bluff on Cayman | | | | they eventually arrived at Los Chupaderos, where |
| Brac, Caymanite is rare, indeed. Volcanic activity | | | | most Larimar is mined today. Miguel |
| created the semi-precious stone. When volcanic | | | | Méndez named the stone by combining his |
| ash poured down on rocks below, it formed | | | | daughter's name, “Larissa,” with |
| sediments. Over time, those sediments hardened | | | | “mar,” the Spanish word for sea. |
| into rocks, creating a type of dolomite. Because | | | | Unique to the lush Bahoruco mountain range, |
| each layer's mineral content differed, each layer's | | | | Larimar's scientific classification is blue pectolite. |
| color varies. In the polished stones, this creates | | | | Although other types of pectolite exist in locations |
| colored stripes in earth tones – browns, | | | | around the world, none are quite like Larimar. |
| yellows, and whites. | | | | Copper gives it its characteristic blues and greens, |
| Due to Caymanite's hardness, cutting wheels and | | | | with blue stones considered more valuable. In |
| grinders need diamond tips in order to cut and | | | | addition, some stones contain red, brown, or gray |
| polish it. A great deal of time and effort goes into | | | | shades. Due to its coloring, it's sometimes |
| learning how to work with Caymanite in order to | | | | mistaken for turquoise or blue jade. |
| create artistic pieces. | | | | According to folklore, Larimar helps relieve stress, |
| In addition to jewelry, Caymanite is also fashioned | | | | radiates healing energy, aids communication, and |
| into sculptures, objects like business card holders, | | | | enlightens the mind. Because of claims that the |
| and used in inlaid tables. Its distribution is almost | | | | Dominican Republic was the ancient site of |
| exclusively limited to the Cayman Islands. | | | | Atlantis, symbolized by dolphins, some people call |
| Larimar | | | | Larimar “the Atlantis Stone” or |
| Found only in one remote area of the Dominican | | | | “the Dolphin Stone.” |
| Republic, the same volcanic forces which created | | | | With all the excitement about Larimar, there's |
| the island itself forged this exquisite gem. When | | | | even a Larimar Museum in Santo Domingo, the |
| scorching gases pushed molten material into the | | | | Dominican Republic's capital city. Located in a |
| volcano's chimneys, its minerals crystallized, | | | | well-restored historic building, the museum |
| creating the stone's unique properties. Over the | | | | contains exhibits about the gem and a store with |
| eons, erosion broke off bits of stone, washing | | | | hand-made Larimar jewelry. |
| them into the Bahoruco River where they | | | | Only buy jewelry from reputable stores because |
| tumbled against rocks and other debris. By the | | | | blue glass has occasionally been passed off as |
| time the stones reached the river's end at the | | | | Larimar. Stores in the Dominican Republic carry |
| beach, this polishing action revealed the marbled | | | | the widest selection, of course, but Larimar can |
| sea-blue, green, and white hues Larimar is now | | | | also be found in a small number of shops in other |
| prized for. | | | | countries. In addition to jewelry, Larimar is also |
| We can only speculate when people first saw | | | | available in sculptures and polished slabs. |
| Larimar, but more than a century ago, the area's | | | | Travelers can take home a true piece of the |
| inhabitants likely came across the blue stones | | | | islands with Larimar and Caymanite items. And |
| washed up on the beach. They may have later | | | | those lucky enough to find Larimar elsewhere can |
| traced its origins to the mountains. By 1916, at | | | | enjoy its soothing, ocean hues without a trip to |
| least one person knew where to find it - a priest | | | | the Caribbean. |
| in Barahona parish, who applied for the right to | | | | |