Larimar Museum

A remodeled 17th-century house holds the Larimar Museum (Calle Isabel La Católica 54, tel. 809/689-6605, www.larimarmuseum.com [1], 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sun., free). Larimar is an azure-blue stone that is mined only in the Dominican Republic [2].On the ground floor of this museum is a shop with a wonderful selection of good quality larimar and amber jewelry with a very friendly and helpful staff. Remember; all prices are negotiable.The museum is upstairs, and if you ask, one of the staff members can give you a guided tour for free; they are very knowledgeable. There are encased examples of the rare pectolite mined near Bahoruco [3] on the Península de Pedernales [4]. Exhibits explain everything from the mining procedure to how the jewelry is made. Signage is in Spanish and English.