Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This piece highlights growing concern over the export of raw larimar, a semiprecious stone unique to the Dominican Republic, as local artisans urge value-added processing to boost domestic craftsmanship and economic benefit.
Jewelry designer Mónica Varela Bonarelli expressed concern after learning of a publication highlighting larimar among Dominican products with potential to conquer the Chinese market. In a video on her social media, she noted her alarm at seeing that the semiprecious stone, exclusive to the Dominican Republic, continues to be exported in raw form rather than as a finished product crafted by Dominican hands.
Varela explained that recently, when trying to acquire larimar for her creations, her suppliers informed her of a growing shortage of the mineral, leading her to investigate its commercialization. According to her, Asia has been a major buyer of amber and larimar for years, but she believes the true added value is lost when the stone leaves the country unworked.
The designer compared this situation to other national products like rum and coffee, which reach the international market ready for consumption, while larimar is exported as raw material. In her view, this limits job creation and the development of the local jewelry industry.
Finally, she called for the protection of one of the country’s most representative resources.
