From the craft
Gold and silver jewelry. In the land of El Dorado, you'll find magnificent jewelry made by craftsmen inspired by nature or pre-Columbian motifs. Gold is often mixed with silver, and jewelry shops generally offer quality pieces. The small town of Mompox is renowned for its refined work in silver and gold. The art of filigree, present since the Spanish conquest, has been handed down from generation to generation. Thin threads of gold and silver are soldered together, leaving days, to give a delicate embroidered effect. There are around twenty jewellers in the city, most of whom offer tours of their workshops, where you can observe the dexterity of the craftsmen.
Emeralds. Colombia is the world's leading producer of emeralds. These precious stones are extracted from the mines of Muzo, Coscuez, Gachalá and Chivor (Boyacá and Cundinamarca), before being cut and sold in jewelry stores in Cartagena and elsewhere. In Bogotá, you can also visit the Emerald Trade Center, a building in the center of the capital specializing in "green stone", with its stone cutters, small trading rooms and boutiques. Emeralds are also sold on the sly at the foot of the building, on the Plazoleta del Rosario. But beware: this informal market, in plain sight, is reserved for the very closed circle of " comisionistas " who know perfectly well how to determine the quality of the stones. The value of a gem depends on four factors: color, clarity, shape and weight. In terms of color, "Colombian green" ranges from light bluish tones to darker, more intense greens. It is the benchmark for emerald. For clarity, it's important to know that all emeralds naturally contain inclusions, formed during the crystallization of the stone. These inclusions, or emerald "gardens", are visible to the naked eye (those that can only be seen with a magnifying glass are extremely rare and therefore very expensive). Aside from natural inclusions, the focus is on the stone's transparency and luminosity, the way it captures light, and its brilliance. Emerald cutting is a difficult art, because the stone is fragile. It must take into account the inclusions and place them in such a way as to bring out the gem's color. The emerald cut is rectangular with beveled sides. It approximates the stone's hexagonal shape and allows the eye to penetrate deep into the gem. Crystals can also be cut in oval or pear shapes. Finally, the weight of an emerald plays a role in its value, but less so than the stone's purity and brilliance. The unit of measurement is the carat, which corresponds to 0.20 grams. Emeralds can be bought as rough stones (morillons), cut or already mounted. Rings, pendants and earrings are most often associated with gold or silver. Prices in Colombia, even in luxury boutiques, are attractive compared to those in European jewelry stores. You just have to be careful where you buy them: prefer reputable boutiques and insist on a certificate of authenticity, as counterfeiters are talented and prices are sometimes whimsical.
Jewelry made from natural fibres or multicoloured beads(chaquiras). Bracelets, pendants or earrings made from seeds, shells, palms, pearls, macramé, etc. are sold by the artisans themselves in the streets of tourist areas and in craft markets. Bargaining is possible, but don't exaggerate (around 10%), and be aware of the work that goes into these objects. Do not buy products made from coral or any other protected animal or plant species.
A mochila. This is the famous traditional bag worn over the shoulder. It's used both by the indigenous communities who make it, and by trendy urbanites! In fact, there are many different mochilas. The most famous is the wayúu mochila, recognizable by its flamboyant colors. A fashion accessory and symbol of Colombia, the Wayúu mochila is nonetheless a sacred element in Wayúu culture. It is during theencierro ritual that young girls learn to weave from their mothers, grandmothers and aunts. Throughout this apprenticeship, they are accompanied by Wale'Kerü (the Spider), the female spirit who has passed on her weaving secrets to the Wayúu people. Each bag represents the body of a mother, the creation of life. The geometric figures, called kanaas, refer to cosmology, or to the weavers' dreams (dreams are very important to the Wayúu people). It takes around twenty days to weave a bag. So show respect for this beautiful work by not haggling (or haggling very little) when you buy a mochila in Riohacha. The same goes for other bags with character, such as the arhuaca mochila, in darker tones (beige, black, grey, ochre...), woven by arhuaca women in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Each weaving stitch is linked to a thought, and the mochila illustrates the extension of the womb and the universal Madre Tierra. When a man loads his bag onto his shoulder, he's carrying his entire community with him!
A carriel paisa. This traditional leather satchel is an essential accessory for peasants in the Antioquia region. It features secret pockets in which muleteers traditionally hid their valuables. A nice souvenir if you're in the region, especially in Jericó, where you can visit some of the workshops where they are made.
A wayúu chinchorro. Like the mochila, the chinchorro wayúu is patiently embroidered by hand over several months. It's what you might call a luxury hammock. Long, wide and ultra-comfortable, it can accommodate two to three people. The price for a genuine handmade chinchorro is several hundred euros.
A hammock from San Jacinto (Bolívar). Sturdy, colorful and handcrafted, by women but also here by men, these are yet more beautiful hammocks, this time inherited from the Zinú culture.
Miniature Willy's chivas or jeeps. These old buses and jeeps with roofs crammed with fruit, coffee bags, chickens, etc. are emblematic of rural areas. They can be found in miniature in the handicraft industry: in clay, iron or wood. The town of Pitalito, near San Agustín (Huila), is famous for its chivas pottery, which it has been producing for decades.
Coffee cups, mugs and more. Don't worry, the artisans are also skilled in the art of packaging! The village of Raquirá, the "artisan capital of Colombia", is renowned for its ceramics. Ceramics from Carmen de Viboral (Antioquia) are also renowned for their quality.
Molas. This superimposition of fabrics using the reverse appliqué technique is the work of Guna (pronounced " kuna") women, who live in the Gulf of Urabá and especially in the San Blas archipelago in Panama. The colorful motifs are inspired by nature and the Guna cosmovision. Molas cover the tunics of indigenous women, but are increasingly sold as decorative elements or integrated into the design of leather bags. A rather successful combination, both chic and modern.
Animal carvings, masks and wooden mobiles are also popular souvenirs. They can be found in every region of the country. The town of Pasto (Nariño) is famous for its objects varnished using a pre-Columbian decorative technique known as Barniz de Pasto. Pasto varnish is made from a natural lacquer obtained from mopa mopa, a plant that grows in Putumayo and Caqueta.
Musical instruments: maracas, mini-marimbas, tambourines, guaita, guacharaca... The municipio of San Jacinto (Bolívar), famous for its hammocks, is also renowned for the manufacture of musical instruments, notably drums. This is the cradle of cumbia.
Clothing and accessories
The textile and clothing sector is booming in Colombia. Hecho en Colombia is often of much better quality and not much more expensive than Made in China, especially as creativity is at a premium. Medellín, Colombia's fashion capital, is brimming with talented designers and hosts the annual Colombiamoda trade show, one of the major events in the sector in Latin America. Johanna Ortiz, Arturo Calle, PatPrimo, Carmel, Mario Hernández, to name but a few, are revolutionizing ready-to-wear, often with warm colors and refined ethnic motifs. Leonisa, Laura, Formfit Rogers, Berkshire, Touché, Agua bendita and OndadeMar are well-known lingerie and swimwear brands.
Leather goods. Colombian leather is high quality and reasonably priced. You'll find great bargains in shoes, bags, jackets, belts and more. Vélez, Mario Hernandez and Bosi are well-known brands.
Ruanas (ponchos) made from pure sheep's wool. The village of Nobsa (Boyacá) is renowned for its thick, soft and warm ruanas, which you'll appreciate on long winter evenings!
A guayabera. This elegant cotton shirt, with its embroidery(bordados) in floral and geometric motifs, is ideal for hot, humid climates. Made in Cartago, it's all the rage in Cartagena's chic alleyways.
Hats. The most famous is the sombrero vueltiao. This emblematic Colombian hat plays a fundamental role in cumbia dance choreography. Inherited from the Zenú culture, it is made from caña flecha fiber grown in the savannahs of the Caribbean region. The sombrero aguadeño is another fine headgear. Originating fromAguadas (Caldas), it is made fromiraca palm, the same as that used for the prestigious Panama hat.
Soccer T-shirt. Fans of Falcao or James won't forget to take home the Colombian national team's camiseta . They can even buy a leather ball made in the workshops of Mongui (Boyacá).
And some sweets
If you want to please a Colombian far from his country, bring him some traditional sweets:
Bocadillos veleños. These guava and panela (unrefined sugar cane juice) pastes wrapped in banana leaves are made in Vélez and other villages in Santander and Boyacá. They are easily found in supermarkets.
A bottle of aguardiente, rum and a loaf of panela, an essential ingredient of theaguapanela, a typical Colombian drink.
And of course coffee, preferably in beans (for the preservation of the taste), giving preference to export coffee bought from a producer.
