Shopping for Balinese gems and jewellery
Blue beads are very popular in Bali and cheap
Bali has a fair amount of variety with plenty of jewellery boutiques that should satisfy all keen shoppers whatever the budget. At the very bottom end, there is almost a limitless choice of cheap and cheerful costume jewellery courtesy of a large band of beach hawkers and at south Bali’s busy art markets.
You can expect to see brightly coloured coral pendants and necklaces, fake pearls and sterling silver. The old adage of getting what you pay for has never been truer so carefully inspect all merchandise as workmanship can be very suspect at these prices. Remember that all diamonds must be lasar-printed with a serial number inside, with the same number included in the certificates.
At every level prices are substantially cheaper than you can expect to pay back home. Best buys include Lombok pearls, antique style silver and gold which is usually sold by the gram regardless of the design. If gold jewellery is your thing then a trip to the capital of Denpasar will be a decadent experience with a fabulous range of styles on show.
Take a stroll down Jalan Sulawesi, a street filled with dazzling gold displays and a frenzied atmosphere that is great fun just to watch and soak up. Custom orders can be accommodated and you will come across some weird and wonderful designs.
For something a little more refined, visit the lavish showrooms of Ubud and Seminyak which are the favoured spot for affluent locals and expats. The jewellery collections here are more Western-orientated but there is plenty of choice for lovers of exotic ethnic designs too. These are not the places to come looking for bargains, but has extra class for that special purchase.
Prices are much higher here but the quality and range of styles cannot be beaten. Perlu Jewellery (Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak, Tel: +62 (0)361 764432, open daily 10:00 to 20:00) has an extensive range of unique silver jewellery produced by a team of in house expat and local designers.
Ubud’s finest is probably Treasures of Bali (Jalan Raya Ubud, Tel: +62 (0)361 976697, open daily 10:00 to 21:00) which is more of an art gallery with regular exhibitions of fine art and jewellery alongside regular collections for sale.
Perhaps the most satisfying gift of all is one made by your very own hands. Perak Studio (Jalan Hanoman, Ubud, Tel +62 (0)361 780879, open daily 11:00 to 18:00) is an expat-run jeweller who also offer day long courses in jewellery design and special classes for kids too. And you never know, perhaps a new occupation will open its doors to you as a result!
The Kuta and legian areas have a fair number of second hand stalls which are worth browsing if antique style silver rings and simple necklaces are your thing. Prices are decent value and bargaining is expected. Some places will also accept part exchange deals.
