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Larimar Mine Experience
Water@Work is grateful to support the miners, artisans, and distributors that provide the beautiful Larimar jewelry available here. The process of mining the raw rock, and then cutting and polishing the stone into pieces ready to become jewelry involves many people and skills.
In January of 2021, the Water@Work team was granted rare permission inside the mines and artisan workshops to provide an extraordinary view into the lives and work environment of these courageous workers. The individual short videos below follow the team as they first explore the mines, and then view and participate in cutting and polishing the Larimar into finished gems ready for jewelry mounting. Experience this extraordinary trip by clicking on each video in succession.
On the Road to the Mine
Getting Clean Water for the Day's Work
Entering the Mine
Exploring a Side Shaft Entry
Proceeding Deep into the Primary Tunnel
Entering a Side Shaft
The Darkness Near the Tunel's End
A New Shaft in Search of a Larimar Vein
Grabbing a Bit of Larimar From a Dig Site
A Tunnel Down to New Possibilities
Drilling to Find a New Vein of Larimar
The Fruit of a Miner's Labor
The Financial Curse of the Covid 19 Pandemic
Visiting the Artisan's Workshop and Home
Sculpting the Raw Larimar Stone
Cutting and Shaping the Raw Larimar Stone
Shaping a Gemstone Pendent
Polishing the Gemstone
Buffing the Finished Gemstone
Finished Gemstones Ready for Jewelry Mounting