Colombia Shopping Tips by sjvessey

What to buy: Colombia is famous for high quality and very, very cheap emeralds ('esmereldas'). Jewelry stores specialising in this particular gem are common.

Jewelers in La Candelaria, Bogota, are probably the best (i.e. cheapest) place to buy them - there are many stores with a wide selection of merchandise.

Alternatively, don't be surprised if you're approached on the street in this area by a guy with some gems the size of your fingernail in an envelope he just carries round in his pocket - one road in particular is full of such merchants. However, the advantage of going to a store is that they will provide you with a certificate of authentification, so you can be reasonably sure you aren't buying a piece of green plastic...

Cartagena also has a very large number of jewelry stores, but prices are vastly inflated - seriously, you will pay 2 to 3 times what you'd pay in Bogota.

What to pay: There's something to fit every budget. I bought a small gold cross containing six emeralds, each of diameter approximately 2mm, for £30 (US$45), in Bogota. Note that I saw exactly the same piece in a store in Cartagena, offered for £80 (US$120). Don't forget to haggle over the price - they expect it and the first price you are offered will be inflated.

Theme: Jewelry