Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Jewellery
Virtually every town in India has at least one bangle shop selling an extraordinary variety,
ranging from colourful plastic and glass to brass and silver.
Heavy folk-art silver jewellery can be bought in various parts of the country, with tourist
centres often selling silver jewellery pitched at foreign tastes. Chunky Tibetan jewellery
made from silver (or white metal) and semiprecious stones is sold all over India. Many
pieces feature Buddhist motifs and text in Tibetan script, including the famous mantra
Om
Mani Padme Hum
(Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus)
.
Some of the pieces are genuine an-
tiques, but there's a huge industry in India, Nepal and China making artificially aged
souvenirs. For creative types, loose beads of agate, turquoise, carnelian and silver are
widely available. Buddhist meditation beaded strings made of gems or wood also make
good souvenirs.
Pearls are produced by most Indian seaside states, but they're a particular speciality of
Hyderabad. You'll find them at most state emporiums across the country. Prices vary de-
pending on the colour and shape: you pay more for pure white pearls or rare colours like
black, and perfectly round pearls are generally more expensive than misshapen or elong-
ated pearls. A single strand of seeded pearls can cost as little as ?500, but better-quality
pearls start at around ?1000.
Throughout India you can find finely crafted gold and silver rings, anklets, earrings, toe rings, necklaces
and bangles, and pieces can often be crafted to order.
