Dominican Republic’s amber a tourist attraction in itself
People from around the globe eager to obtain a piece of the exquisite souvenir
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism press release, May 17, 2007
The Dominican Republic (DR), named the hottest Caribbean destination by the World Tourism Organization due to its brilliant coastlines, diverse accommodations and eclectic culture, continues to gain the attention of tourists from around the world with its highly regarded collection of amber, a striking gemstone. Best known for its debut in Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” Dominican amber is born out of tree sap that hardened billions of years ago. It’s most abundant on the DR’s north coast, nicknamed “The Amber Coast,” and Santiago, located in the central region. Due to its excellent value and superior quality, amber is one of the most popular souvenirs for tourists to the DR.
The remarkable array of colours, high transparencies and assortment of fossils found within the stone are what make Dominican amber distinctive. Hues vary from the most commonly seen honey yellows and deep sienna reds to the rarest tones of vibrant greens and blues. Amber from the DR is known for its diversity and abundance of inclusions – such as lizards, insects and leaves – which are trapped inside the stone, and 90 per cent more visible than inclusions found in amber elsewhere. These characteristics make Dominican amber among the most valued in the world.
With price points comparable to other semi-precious stones, Dominican amber has naturally become a hot commodity amongst tourists. Cost depends on the quality and colour of the stone with pieces containing inclusions being the priciest. The stone can be purchased individually or mounted in various forms of jewellery, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and anklets. It’s also used as a decorative accent in items such as serving trays, picture frames, purses and apparel. Amber is also often times paired with larimar, an endemic turquoise stone found only in the DR. Locally, these particular pieces are called “Happy Hour.”
The reputable Amber Museum, located in Puerto Plata (pieces of its amber were used in “Jurassic Park”), and the Amber World Museum (amberworldmuseum.com), located in Santo Domingo, receive the most foot traffic amongst tourists. These museums invite guests to participate in a guided tour and to stop by the gift shop afterwards. Visitors can also purchase Dominican amber from souvenir stores located throughout the country. To ensure authenticity of the amber, buyers can test the stone by dropping it in a glass of salt water – if the amber floats, it’s the real thing.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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