Jewelry Designer/Enthusiast
1) Gemstones: So now that you have read my last post (for all the late entries), you know that Nepal is a rich source of various gemstones – like jade, garnet, turquoise, Lapis and many many more.
You will get any size you want starting from about 2mm in diameter to even 4-5 inches in diameter. I literally walked through dozens of streets filled with these huge gemstones in Thamel. whose kidding..they were so pretty to look at and none of the stores bothered me when I clicked a couple of pictures. Read more about the gemstones in this link that Pearl had sent me.
2)Pendants: If you are like me and don’t know what to do with these cut stones, then you could buy them as beautiful chunky pendants….funny that I didn’t find many earrings or rings though. Most of them are set in ornate carved Silver settings and could cost you a bomb.
For those on a budget, Coin silver pendants are a blessing. Available as plain metal or set with cabochans of jade, garnet, tiger’s eye, turquoise they are pretty and affordable. The ones with enamel or with turquoise mosaic also look cute.
3) Beads: there are different varieties of beads you can find here. Glass beads (then come from India..so if you are from India like me , you might really not like the variety). Rudraksha: botanically known as ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS ROXB. Its English name is UTRASUM BEAD . These are holy beads of Hindu Shaivaties and are revered as Lord Shiva himself. You can find various rudrakshas – from Ek muki – one face to 21 faces. They are used both as prayer beads – Rosary and in Jewelry
Bone Beads: Beads made from bones – Yak bones are available in plenty. You can also find them as ready made pendants, earrings and button apart from strung beads(which look a little deteriorated in my opinion).
Apart from these you can also find strands of Turquoise and corals hanging in almost every petty shop there.
Craft Enthusiast/Designer
1) Felt Beads & Products: If you are not so much into gem or jewelry then the beautiful felt products available there could take your breadth away. These are hand felted from sheep/yak wool and dyed in beautiful colours. You can buy beads to make mats or jewelry later or you can buy booties (for kids), hair accessories, keychains and other decorative stuff for your house.
2) Lokta Paper: The long fibrous handmade paper is prized for its attractive texture, its durability, strength and its resistance to germs and insects like silverfish, paper crawlers etc. The papers made from Lokta are non-perishable in the water. You can buy sheets of paper to craft or buy ready made products like diaries, calendars, lamp shades to brighten up your house.
Apart from this there are lots more stuff..if only you would just look. Since my stay was short I had only enough time to look at these. But whatever said and done, Kathmandu is a shoppers haven and that alone is a good reason to get you there, if the thought of seeing the glorious Himalayas don’t excite you enough in the first place.;)
With this I come to the end of my must buy list in Kathmandu – Nepal. If you think I have left out anything, please add them in the comments.
Cheers
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