Jaisalmer Shopping

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For once, a shop where it is not JUST about getting your money. I actually learned a lot about Indian art while shopping. The guy has very nice printed information cards about everything he sells (and it is really well researched and well presented), and has travelled quite a lot all over India, so he truly knows his stuff.
Of course it is also about getting your money, but he does have an unbelievable jewelry collection and bronze statues and signing bowls, and thangkas and mandalas, and shawls and rugs and embroidered kurtas, and... well, you get my point. There is a lot of quality stuff to choose from, so I dare you not to be tempted to buy anything!
Good place for finding this unique piece you were looking for.

What to buy: Jewellery
Nice scarves

What to pay: Well... depends on what you want! A cute bag or scarf will definitely be less than 500-1000 rupees (depending on the quality). But if you want that awesome gold and silver carved mandala, you might have to cough up a bit more!!!

Incredible choice. Their collection is unbelievable. My personal favorite was the tibetan jewellery collection. But you can also find lovely Rajasthani silver tribal jewellery. They also have more classical pieces, mostly in silver with or without gemstones. Prices are reasonable and you don't have to "bargain till you drop".

What to buy: Tibetan necklaces !!!!!!! But seriously: apart from the jewellery, they also sell nice textiles, shawls, rugs, statues and singing bowls. But I would go back for the jewellery...

What to pay: Anything from 150 rupees to 10 000 ... Depends of what you want to buy...

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The embroideries in the South-Western region of Rajasthan are amazing. Traditional wedding dresses, opium bags, and dowery bags come from the desert villages and are then sewen together to make magnificant wall hangings. The villagers are selling their heirlooms for hard cash. This is a little sad, but it is happening. The embroideries have material that is up to 90 years old. It's quite stunning.

These authentic ebroideries will not be available in 10 years due to the desert village shortage of supply and these traditional garments are slowly being replaced by western ones.

Shankar is one of the best in town and the most honest. His shop is south west of the main gate to the Golden Fort. He has a small half basement with clever signs out front to get your attention. The guys on the opposite side of the road are real jerks, so ask for Shankar.

I've been searching for SO long in so many cities for something like this and found it when I least expected it.

This store has an amazing collection of gorgeous stones of all kinds -- onyx, jasper, aquamarine, quartz, sandstone, aventurine, etc. They are in several colors and shapes like eggs, bowls, figurines, animals, natural formations, etc.

Super place to buy gifts!

What to buy: The bit I liked most were the pendants! You could use them in keychains too. They are in nice little shapes or free-forms.

I suppose if you look hard you can find something a bit similar online, but it's just not the same as going through a treasure chest of goodies. Besides, this is kind of the source (the store owner said he exports them too), here they're available for Rs20 to Rs60 each!! It's a steal.

What to pay: Big budget or small, as little or as much as you like, either way you will get something unique. Bargain a bit.

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This shop is meant for manufacturing the Camel leather articles like purses, Money pockets,shoes, Chappals,and a lot od good articles like leather statue of Camel, horses and a lot.. It is worth to purchase and keep in our home. It is just an antique piece BUT The shoes and chappals and money purses we can use , its life is also too much, Leather Waist belts are so nice....

What to buy: As it is a desert so we have to purchase the caps made from Camel leather to protect ourselves from heat....Leather belts,money purses,Camel, horses, dolls and a lot of articles made of Leather...!

What to pay: dallars =100 Max.

Buying something made of yellow sandstone is something which is REAL Jaisalmer, because one wouldn't find this anywhere else in Rajasthan.

What to buy: I bought a bowl (mid sized) and a glass made of yellow sandstone!

What to pay: It cost me about Rs. 75 each!

A large outlet, with portraits of Gandhiji, J P, Ambedkar etc adorning the walls, run by the local handicrafts cooperative society. Also adorning the walls are exquisite hand-woven stoles, wall hangings, blankets etc.

What to buy: A must-buy at this outlet are gift items made of sandstone, the same raw material that went into the making of Jaisalmer Fort. You may opt either for hand-polished or machine polished items from this range.

My particular favourite was a set of six liqueur glasses that I pounced on.

The store also offers round-the-year rebates on woven items.

What to pay: Prices are fixed. But rebates on specific items are offered, which are boldly announced in all parts of the shop

There are several of them, as you stroll through the crowded, colourful alleys of the main market at Jaisalmer. They specialise in leather items made out of camel skin.

What to buy: Try the large hats (preferably in dark tan shades) made of camel leather, to enable your metamorphosis to John Wayne!!

Also available : a large range of duffle bags, overnighters, portfolio bags of similar leather.

What to pay: Bargain hard, and try playing one against the other. In other words, have time in hand to indulge in this exercise.