OUTER LIMITS

Manitou Outlook sometimes takes its view beyond Michigan to seek other exquisite stones. Here are some of the favorites:

Larimar

Larimar is a rare form of pectolite, which was discovered in the 1970's and is only found on the volcanic island of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. It has an extraordinary blue appearance similar to the color of the ocean in tropical areas. The name "Larimar" was given to the stone by a Dominican who named the stone after his daughter Larissa and Mar, the Spanish word for sea.

Blue Lace Agate 

Blue lace agate is beautiful layered stone sometimes called banded chalcedony. White layers alternate with translucent blue layers that give the illusion of lace. Its composition is silica with a variety of trace elements and is most found in Namibia, Africa.

Turquoise

Turquoise has been used as a valuable ornament for ages and was used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. For centuries, the most valuable turquoise came from Iran (Persia) but today specimens mined in the southwestern United States compete with it. The Aztecs mined turquoise in an area now known as New Mexico and a significant amount of top quality turquoise comes from Arizona, California and Nevada.