“One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art” – Oscar Wilde

As Georgia is seeing a staggering increase in the number of tourists each year, the race is indeed on to offer unique, hand-made and, most importantly, typically Georgian produce. Whilst Khurchkhela, Georgian Wine and Svan salt will continue to be popular ‘take-aways’ from the country, there are some new kids on the block that are making the choices of traditional products much more varied.

While jewelry stores can be found in any city around the world, what we’re referring to here is actual Georgian designers, offering works inspired by the history and culture of their own country.

KIMILI

Kimili, the Georgian word for Jewelry, is a small company based in Tbilisi. “Kimili’s ambition is to bring Georgian cloisonné enamel jewelry, crafted with an ancient technique, presevered through generations, to the world,” says company founder Diana. Each piece of hand-crafted jewelry seems to tell a story, with bold colors and brave shapes. “At Kimili, we couple old traditions with modern trends. Our design team is a mix of established, nationally well known and upcoming young designers ready to break traditional boundaries.”

20 Shota Mikatadze Str., Tbilisi 0101

+995 551 60 20 30

Open 24/7

ZARAPXANA

This jewelrymaker was founded in 1939, when “in a picturesque, historical district of Tbilisi, enthusiast gold-smiths from tiny jewelry studios on Shardeni and Vertskhlis (Silver) streets got together to set up a Tbilisi Jewelry Plant on Leselidze Street,” later becoming what Zarapxana is today. Boasting the number one position in the Georgian jewelry market, the company offers traditional, hand-crafted Georgian pieces of art, for lack of a better expression. Their pieces are exceptional, and finely depict Georgian craftsmanship.

15 Lubliana I Dead End, Tbilisi 0159

+995 595 30 04 66

10 AM – 7 PM

GALLERY ORNAMENT

The gallery shop on Erekle II and Bambig Rigi streets is almost an unofficial museum of Georgian traditional jewelry. The major focus here is on minankari, the traditional cloisonné enamel.

Since 2001, the founders of the gallery have been working on the restoration and development of this ancient art. One year after the opening, they also opened a school for those who want to learn this complicated handcraft. Today, several established local artists are working, exhibiting and selling their works in beautifully and laconically arranged rooms of Gallery Ornament.

Some of the works can cost a fortune because of the insane amount of craftsmanship, labor, time and precious materials invested in them, and some smaller pieces can be quite affordable. Either way, it’s worth investing in such unique souvenirs from Georgia.

These are just three of many. Georgian Jewelry is out there, you just have to look closely enough. Sometimes, small little-advertised shops can be found to offer the most unique gifts and pieces of jewelry. Take to the streets of Old Tbilisi and see for yourself!

7 Erekle II Str., 7 Bambis Rigi Str., Tbilisi

(+995) 322 98 90 13; (+995) 322 93 64 12

12 AM – 7 PM