Caymanite - a Uniquely Caymanian Rock
What is Caymanite and why it makes a unique and beautiful souvenir of the Cayman Islands.
Hidden away under the jagged crust of Grand Cayman’s East End and the craggy cliffs of the Bluff in Cayman Brac, lie beautiful and mysterious mineral deposits. These rock strata are found only in the Cayman Islands and are well disguised by the surrounding limestone.
Caymanite has layers of colours in earth tones, created by the different metallic contents of each strata. Its hardness challenges the craftsman’s skills as well as his tools, but when cut and polished the stone has radiant hues and can be transformed into unique jewellery and carvings. What better souvenir of the Cayman Islands can be found than a crafted piece of the rock itself?
See the permanent Caymanite display at the Cayman Islands National Museum or you can purchase camanite jewellery and other items at various places. These include the National Museum shop, the weekly Farmers and Artisans Market, Pure Art on South Church Street (one mile South of George Town) and many jewellery stores, including Kirk Freeport which can be found in the heart of downtown George Town, Grand Cayman.
Individual artisans who make their own Caymanite jewellery include Lorna who can always be found at her own stall at the Farmers Market by the Cricket Pitch on Saturdays, KY Kreativ and also Gale Tibbetts who also sells individual polished beads for independent artisans to make their own jewellery to sell. You can contact Gale on (345) 927 7595 or email her on 24k-mon@fordsar.ky. Her Instagram site is Beeline Design Jewelry.
