National Larimar Day – November 22, 2024

History of National Larimar Day

Larimar is a unique type of blue pectolite found exclusively in the south of the Dominican Republic. The origin of Larimar dates back to 1916 in southwest Barahona. The story goes that Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes de Loren of the Barahona Parish first discovered the unique stone. The request to mine was denied. Nobody knew what it was or its value. As a result, the stone faded from memory and fell into oblivion.

Decades later, in 1976, a craftsman named Miguel Mendez learned of the stone’s existence. Thus, the search to find it began, and sure enough, there it was — blue as the sparkling Caribbean Sea. It was originally called “Travelina,” but on second thought, Mendez came up with “Larimar.” The name was an homage to his daughter, Larissa, combining her nickname “Lari” with the word “mar,” or sea in Spanish. The name stuck, and since then, the beautiful blue stone has gained fame as a rare gem of the Dominican Republic.

You won’t find Larimar anywhere else in the world. The sole Larimar mine lies in Los Chupaderos, a few miles from the city of Barahona. In 2018, the Dominican Republic celebrated the first National Larimar Day on November 22, the same day the priest Miguel Domingo Fuertes discovered the stone in 1916. Larimar today is an enduring symbol of Dominican Republic heritage. The gorgeous stone sparks wonder for tourists and residents alike — whether polished or raw, as jewelry or décor. Visitors will find precious jewels made from Larimar in gift shops across the country.