Shopping in Moscow - Moscow and St. Petersburg - page 174

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JEWELRY
Izmailovsky Market, described under «Great Shopping Areas» earlier in this chapter, is a
good place to look for jewelry bargains, especially on semiprecious stones from Siberia.
Samotsvety, listed below, is a strongly recommended spot, and I've included two high-
end options as well.
Bvlgari The sleekest of Moscow's jewelry boutiques, on the city's sleekest street.
Where Russia's nouveau riche seek the latest in jewelry design. 1 Tretyakovsky Proyezd.
& 495/933-3390. Metro: Lubyanka.
Cartier The Moscow boutique of the renowned jeweler has an extensive selection of
both fresh and classic pieces. 19 Kuznetsky Most. & 495/937-9040. 7 Stoleshnikov Pereulok.
& 495/510-5060. Metro: Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya.
Samotsvety A conveniently located store with a broad selection of jewelry for any
taste, including some unusual Russian stones and filigree items hard to find at home.
Prices are definitely higher than what you'll get from street vendors on the Arbat Street
outside, but at least in the store there's no question you're purchasing valuable goods. A
large selection of silver, gold, and amber. 35 Arbat St. & 499/241-0765. Metro: Smolenskaya.
Yuvelirny Center This chain's reliable quality and lower prices draw in Muscovites
but few visitors. It focuses on standard gold and silver items but harbors a few unusual
finds as well. 6 Novy Arbat. & 495/624-9719. www.c-j.ru. Metro: Arbatskaya.
LINENS
Linen tablecloths, curtains, bed coverings, and clothing from the textile towns along the
Volga River bear distinctly Russian patterns. Because few people have heard of Russian
linen, these items make for great and unexpected gifts. Even the handmade items are
much cheaper than goods of pure linen you find in the West. Some crafts stores, as well
as the Izmailovsky Market (see “Great Shopping Areas,” earlier in this chapter), are good
sources in addition to these stores.
Russkaya Vyshyvka A treasure-trove ideally located in the middle of Arbat Street,
with some well-priced, winning gift finds and new ideas for your own home. Linen table
designs run the range from hand-sewn napkins for as little as 50 rubles to embroidered
runners costing 1,250 rubles. Slavic-themed tea cozies and potholders, layettes for new-
borns, traditional Russian caftans for children and adults, and bed linens complete this
strongly recommended collection. 31 Arbat St. & 499/241-2841. www.yellow-pages.ru/rus/
qu10/bo1894373. Metro: Arbatskaya, Smolenskaya.
Vologodsky Len This small shop near Red Square features linen from the Volga-area
producers. Included are clothing for children and adults, at reasonable prices and with
striking red-and-gold or blue-and-gold patterns. 4 Ilinka. & 495/232-9463. www.linens.ru.
Metro: Ploshchad Revolutsii or Kitai-Gorod.

8

MUSEUM STORES
In addition to Tretyakov Gallery, Central House of Artists (listed under “Art” above) is a
highly recommended stop for any museum or art-related shopping.
Tretyakov Gallery The gallery has no single store, but several stands in its lobby sell
reproductions from postcard to poster size, along with a large selection of books, many in
English. 10 Lavrushinsky Pereulok. & 499/230-7788. Metro: Tretyakovskaya or Novokuznetskaya.