Dominican Republic to create digital registry to verify Larimar authenticity
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic plans to launch a unique digital registry for larimar in 2027, allowing consumers and businesses to verify the stone’s authenticity, origin and journey from extraction to its final transformation into jewelry or artwork.
The initiative is being developed by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI) and other members of the Regulatory Council of the “Larimar Barahona” Designation of Origin. The system is designed to strengthen protection of the Dominican Republic’s only exclusive semi-precious stone while increasing its value in international markets.
Golye Latoufe, director of Mining Promotion at the MEM and president of the Regulatory Council, said the platform will store information on extracted larimar using unique codes assigned to each batch. The process will begin at the mine, where each piece will be identified according to the shaft from which it was extracted.
As the stone moves through cutting, processing and commercialization, additional identifying marks or images will be incorporated. Latoufe said larimar will also be engraved with a design capable of lasting more than 100 years and linked to the digital platform, allowing its ownership and movement through the supply chain to be tracked.
The system will give buyers greater assurance of authenticity while providing information on the stone’s origin and compliance with environmental, sustainability and safety standards during extraction and processing.
ONAPI will support the certification process. Companies and individuals authorized to use the “Larimar Barahona” Designation of Origin must be registered with the institution, and their certificates will include QR codes that can be verified through ONAPI’s online platform.
Latoufe said the traceability system is intended to help position larimar in higher-value markets and give the Dominican stone a level of certification comparable to that used for internationally recognized gemstones.
The “Larimar Barahona” Designation of Origin is currently protected in 29 countries, while registration procedures are underway in China, India, the United States and Ecuador. Germany is expected to join the list in 2027 through a process that could extend protection to the European Union.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) granted the international registration of the “Larimar Barahona” Designation of Origin, which was formally delivered to Energy and Mines Minister Joel Santos on July 24, 2025.
The Regulatory Council oversees the authenticity, quality and compliance of larimar-related standards in domestic and international markets. It is also responsible for protecting the designation, issuing usage certifications and strengthening the stone’s value chain.
