Jewellery shopping in Africa
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Habiba
Run by an Australian woman who loves to travel in Egypt and who wants to promote the best of Egyptian crafts, this tiny shop goes from strength to strength. It sells an ever-expanding selection of Bedouin embroidery, jewellery, leather work, wonderful Siwan scarves, cotton embroidered scarves from Sohag, the best Egyptian cotton towels (usually only for export), mirrors and brass lights – and all at fair-trade fixed prices. A world away from what is available in the nearby souq.
reviewed
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Patrick Mavros
At the end of Haslemere Lane, 1km off the Umwinsedale Rd, is this place; it is signposted. It's set atop a spectacular hill, overlooking a picture-perfect valley complete with giraffes and buffalo - a visit is a must. The studio and gallery sells designer silverware from jewellery to tableware and whimsical paperweights (collector items or presents for the person who has everything). Mavros's signature style in his jewellery is the ndoro shell, the original currency of Zimbabwe. He also has a shop in Knightsbridge, London, though this one is cheaper!
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Sami Amin
Cool chunky brass-and-enamel jewellery as well as leather bags, belts and shoes, many imprinted with tribal patterns. And all at bargain prices – bags and sandals start at just E£35.
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Rue Sekkakine
For centuries, trading in gold or silver was forbidden to Muslims. This was because working precious metals to be sold at higher prices than their base value was considered usury, something forbidden under Islamic law. Jews faced no such prohibitions, though; when members of Fez's Jewish community moved into the Mellah in the 14th century they set up goldsmithing businesses in Rue Sekkakine.
Originally patronised by the palace, these days the shops are run by Muslims and cater to the locals' penchant for bling, specialising in jewellery made from garish yellow gold and sparkly stones of every description.
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Chez Mahfoud
Tucked away behind the florists and butchers at the farmers market is this unexpected silver jewellery boutique. As at any Marrakshi jeweller, about half of Mahfoud's selection is imported, but the other half is worth a look: designs range from auspicious enamelled hands of Fatima to chic silver-inlaid wood earrings. Mahfoud doesn't bargain much, because he knows what you'd pay for that onyx cocktail ring on nearby Rue de la Liberté.
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Olive Green Cat
At the studio of Philippa Green and Ida-Elsje, you’ll find the work of two talented young jewellery designers, both of whom are catching international attention. Green’s signature pieces are her chunky Perspex cuffs, hand-stitched with patterns and graphic text, while Elsje specialises in delicate earrings and necklaces. They also collaborate on the striking Situ range of diamond jewellery.
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Nomad
This gem of a place specialises in jewellery and traditional Bedouin crafts and costumes, particularly from Siwa. Items include appliquéd tablecloths and cushion covers, dresses made in the oases, woven baskets, silk slippers and chunky silver jewellery. To find it, go past the Egyptian Water Works office to the 1st floor and ring the bell. There are smaller branches in the Cairo Marriott, Grand Hyatt and Nile Hotel.
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Bead Centre of Africa
Beads of every shape and shade are sold here. Peruse the excellent selection of how-to books and their gallery of jewellery and arty piece, including wirework baskets and ostrich-egg adornments made by the San in Namibia and Botswana. Check the website for details of the regular beading classes. They also have the large Bead Boys at the Old Biscuit Mill.
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Grand Bijouterie
Get reeled in by small silver charms, and hooked by gold chandelier earrings that tickle shoulders and deplete bank reserves. Pieces are sold by weight, so serious shoppers should know the going market rate for gold and silver and mind the scales. The fancy filigree jewellery hails from India, but you'll still spy some local jewellers diligently plying their trade.
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Bijouterie El-Yasmine
Yasmin's simplified takes on traditional motifs look (and cost) like adornments instead of dowry payments. Check out hammered silver teaspoons with striped ebony and enamel handles, lucky turquoise enamel hand of Fatima earrings, and Tuareg-inspired cocktail rings that look like hypnotist's props with concentric circles in dark wood and bright orange enamel.
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Kabwata Cultural Village
At Kabwata Cultural Village, southeast of the city centre, you'll find a scruffy collection of huts and stalls. Prices are cheap, however, because you can buy directly from the workers who live here. The specialities are carvings, baskets, masks, drums, jewellery and fabrics.
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Touareg jewellery market
At the Hôtel de l'Indépendance, the Touareg jewellery market has a shining selection of beautifully decorated rings, earrings and necklaces - if it's around, that is. The traders occasionally dismantle their mobile stalls for exhibitions elsewhere.
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Shimansky
Diamonds are synonymous with South Africa and here you’ll find plenty of them set in a range of jewellery designs. There’s also a workshop where you can take a peek at how all that bling is put together and choose some stones of your own.
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Sandy McCormack Accessories
Drop by the studio of this jewellery designer while wandering Little Chelsea to see imaginative pieces using precious stones, leather, gold and silver. No two pieces are the same and you can commission bespoke pieces.
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Dina Maghawry
This boutique showcases the local designer’s delicate cascading necklaces trimmed with semiprecious stones and other elegant but modern pieces. Not cheap, but gorgeous work.
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Prins & Pins Jewellers
On the corner of Hout and Loop Sts, this old Cape Dutch style house makes for a suitably salubrious venue for stocking up on some of South Africa’s mineral wealth in wearable form.
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Songhay Shop Art Club
One of the best boutique-style shops in Mopti is the central Songhay Shop Art Club which is more expensive and largely fixed price, but its jewellery and textiles are good quality.
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Maison des Artisans
Leather goods and woodcarvings are made and sold here, and there are several jewellers offering gold and silver objects that are sold by weight (watch out for gold-plated brass).
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Afrogem
Diamonds, aquamarines, topazes – you name the gem, the chances are this company makes gold or silver jewellery using it. See how it’s done on a free guided tour.
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Cocktail du Sénégal
The spacious Cocktail du Sénégal also has a good selection of clothes, both for children and adults, along with a great variety of original gifts, souvenirs and jewellery.
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Hanout Arab
On the main tourist drag, this is an unusual, fixed-price shop with distinctive Tunisian crafts, including textiles, jewellery, and ochre-and-black Sejnane pottery.
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Centre Artisanal
Check this place out for silver trinkets and jewellery. Located on the highway to Rosso - it's beyond the roundabout intersection for Boutilimit and on your right.
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Alon Shina
This shop sells finely crafted jewellery designed with a distinct African flair using precious metals and gems.
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House of Gems
This is the most reputable shop in Windhoek for buying raw minerals and gemstones.
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Artisans Shops
Check these places out for wooden boxes with silver inlay, daggers and jewellery.
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