The Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines says exports of raw larimar are not reducing the availability of the gemstone for local artisans, emphasizing that most of the country’s production remains in the domestic market.
According to the ministry, approximately 60% of larimar extracted from the mines of Barahona, in the southwestern Dominican Republic, stays in the country to supply local jewelry workshops. The remaining 40% consists of surplus production that is exported because it exceeds the needs of domestic manufacturers.
High-Quality Larimar Reserved for Local Jewelry Industry
Officials said the most sought-after first- and second-grade larimar, recognized for its deep blue color and higher commercial value, is primarily reserved for Dominican artisans and jewelry producers. The ministry said the material exported abroad generally comes from production that is not required by the local market.
The ministry also noted that official export statistics can be misleading because the same customs tariff classification includes raw, semi-processed, and finished larimar products. As a result, a significant portion of the reported export value reflects higher-value jewelry and processed products rather than uncut gemstones.
Direct Sales Fair to Strengthen the Value Chain
To encourage closer collaboration between miners and jewelry makers, the ministry announced the 2026 Larimar Miners-Artisans Direct Sales Fair, which will take place on August 21 at the Larimar Museum Workshop School in Bahoruco, Barahona. The event is intended to facilitate direct transactions between producers and artisans while strengthening the gemstone’s domestic value chain.
Authorities said initiatives such as the fair are designed to improve market access for miners while ensuring that Dominican artisans continue to have reliable access to quality raw materials.
Government Warns Against Export Restrictions
The ministry cautioned that restricting exports of surplus larimar could have negative economic consequences for the sector. Officials said such measures would reduce miners’ income, weaken the financial sustainability of mining cooperatives, and place hundreds of jobs at risk in communities that depend on larimar extraction.
Authorities also highlighted recent efforts to improve mining operations through better ventilation systems, upgraded electrical infrastructure, safer working conditions, and greater formalization of the industry.
According to the Directorate of Mining Promotion, the Dominican Republic produced 188,696 pounds of larimar during the first half of 2026, underscoring the continued importance of the country’s only known source of the distinctive blue gemstone.