Chapter 1
Tanzanite — the single-source wonder
Chapter 2
Alexandrite — the color-shifting chameleon
Chapter 3
Painite — once the world's rarest mineral
Chapter 4
Larimar — the volcanic sea stone
Chapter 5
Black Opal — the dark rainbow
Ch 4 · Larimar — the volcanic sea stone
007skaty In November 1916, Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes de Loren found blue stones in Barahona, but rejected requests left the discovery forgotten for decades.
BETA
007skaty Slide volcanic crystals to discover how intense heat creates the rare blue pectolite anomaly.
Fun Fact
Larimar Day: The Dominican Republic celebrates 'National Larimar Day' every November 22 to honor its discovery and cultural importance.
Glossary
larimar (noun)
A rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite. In 1974, Dominican artisan Miguel Méndez rediscovered the gemstone's deposits in the province of Barahona.
A rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite. In 1974, Dominican artisan Miguel Méndez rediscovered the gemstone's deposits in the province of Barahona.
Quiz
In what year did Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes first discover the blue stones that would later be named Larimar?
007skaty Hot, mineral-rich fluids cooling inside volcanic gas cavities create unique Larimar stones that the Dominican government requires locals to polish.
Quiz
In which Caribbean nation was Larimar discovered and is now celebrated as a national treasure?
Quiz
How did Miguel Méndez and Norman Rilling find the source of the beach-washed Larimar stones in 1974?
Quiz
Which element substitutes for calcium to give Larimar its unique blue-to-turquoise coloration?
Quiz
How were the cavities created where Larimar eventually crystallized millions of years ago?