page_title: Caymanite
section_title: Formation
hierarchical_section_title: Caymanite / Formation
caption_attribution_description: English: A necklace made of Caymanite
context_page_description: Caymanite at its type area is an uncommon variety of dolomite, also known as dolostone, originally reported from locations in the Miocene Cayman Formation in the Cayman Islands: the Bluff in Cayman Brac and the East End on Grand Cayman.
context_section_description: The formation of caymanite followed two phases. The first phase of caymanite formation occurred after deposition, lithification, and karst process of the Oligocene Cayman Member.  The second phase of caymanite formation occurred after joints had developed in the Middle Miocene Pedro Castle Member.  Caymanite deposition predated dolomitization, a process where limestone is altered from contact with magnesium-rich water.  Then the magnesium carbonate replaces the calcite naturally in the rock without complete destruction of the original sedimentary fabrics or structures.  Dolomitization in the Bluff Formations of Cayman Brac occurred 2-5 million years ago.
caption: Caymanite jewelry from a display by the National Museum of the Cayman Islands
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