Larimar: A Unique Treasure from the Dominican Republic

Larimar is a rare and semi-precious stone, also known as Atlantis Stone, Dolphin Stone, and Stefilia’s Stone, found in the Dominican Republic; it is a type of pectolite, a silicate mineral that formed millions of years ago. It's known for its blue color, but it can also be greenish-blue, gray or white. Larimar is mostly found in the southwestern coastal province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. It's only found in one square kilometer of dense rainforest. It is believed that Larimar was rediscovered in 1974 by Miguel Mendez, who named it after his daughter Larissa and the Spanish word mar, meaning “sea.” Some believe that Larimar brings peace and serenity and that it can help with hot flushes, stress, and fears.