Larimar: A Rare Gem in the Dominican Republic

Larimar is a rare semi-precious gemstone found in the Dominican Republic province of Barahona.

Early inhabitants believed the stones originated from the sea. In 1916, a parish priest named Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren discovered the blue rock, and unsuccessfully petitioned the government for permission to explore its origin.

In 1974, local Dominican, Miguel Méndez and Norman Rilling, a member of the U.S. Peace Corps, rediscovered the blue stones along the shore and were traced to the volcanoes on the island. Samples of the unusual stones were later identified as pectolite by the Smithsonian Institute. Pectolite exists in other parts of the world, but DR is home to the only known blue variety.

Larimar with its incredibly beautiful blue-green hues was named after the daughter of Méndez (a combination of Larissa, and Mar, the Spanish word for the sea.)

Photo courtesy of the Larimar Jewelry Factory

The Larimar Jewelry factory in Santo Domingo, DR also owns the Larimar Museum.
Learn more at www.larimarfactory.com