Trinket shopping in Dhaka: The perfect jewellery shopping guide

Navigating the online market for high-end jewellery

With the rise of online shopping and F-commerce in Bangladesh, tonnes of online jewellery stores have also popped up and are slowly becoming everyone's favourite. From high-end jewellery to affordable trinkets, they have everyone covered.

6 Yards story is one of the most popular jewellery store on Bangladeshi social media space. Their pieces are donned by almost all your favourite Instagram influencers and models, and rightfully so.

Not only are they experts at traditional classic designs, but they also add their own flair and imagination to redefine the traditional deshi jewellery designs. Their latest drop has featured a necklace, sitahar, earring and rings inspired by the Jamdani motif. Their products are made of brass, with either gold or silver plating. Smaller trinkets like nose pin and jewellery can range from Tk 300 to Tk 800 while necklaces, bangles and earrings start from Tk 1000 and can go up to Tk 3000 to Tk 4000.

If you want jewellery that has more bling to it, then look no further than at Anzum's. Featuring heavier jewellery sets, more appropriate for party and bridal wear, you can get opulent and gorgeous jewellery sets from here. Their pieces are made of imitation metals, stones, and pearls. Their repertoire features Indian, Pakistani as well as deshi designs and different kinds of sets like katai sets, imitation diamond-cut sets, kundan sets, Jaipuri jewellery, Multani jhumkas etc. Prices for these sets can range from Tk 1500 to Tk 4000 with heavy necklaces sometimes going up to Tk 6000 and jhumkas around Tk 1400 to Tk 3000.

Araaz Exclusive is a popular name for jewellery. They sell quality pieces, crafted by the most skilled jewellers from Lahore and Karachi. They boast a unique collection inspired by the finery for Indian and Pakistani craftsmanship, imbued with regal extravagance from Jaipur to Sabyasachi. Their jewellery is lined by real gold and is perfect for the most extravagant and elegant parties and events of your life including weddings. Whatever the occasion may be, Araaz has something for you. You can get Multani earrings, regal necklaces and sets, sitahaars, kundan jewellery and many more. You can get earrings within a budget of Tk 200 to Tk 5000, and expect a price tag of Tk 10,000 for a necklace set. That price can go up to Tk 45,000 for bridal jewellery.

The affordable space for trinkets online

Before you get intimidated by the high-end price tags, let me stop right here and tell you that there are countless options for affordable jewellery online. One of those destinations is Ray by Laiju. They house jewellery that are very much in line with the global jewellery trends. Their jewellery has an aura of simplistic sophistication and subtle statement-making power. Featuring geometric designs, super trendy chain link neckpieces, rings inspired by the design of zippers and simple gold washed drop earrings studs with imitation pearls, you can rely on Ray by Laiju to be the trendiest person in the room. You can get most of their trinkets within Tk 150 to Tk 500, with exclusive neckpieces sometimes going up to Tk 800. Purple Box has some great original and inspired pieces too.

For terracotta jewellery, look no further than Clayomatic — the poster child for creativity with clay in jewellery. Their designs are simple, cute and perfect for hippy youngsters. Featuring artworks of flowers, cloud-shaped earrings with imitation pearls and bright colours, their dainty trinkets will cost you about Tk 250 to Tk 900.

Elan Lifestyle imports trendy pieces from China. Made from different kinds of metals like zinc alloy, titanium and others you can find really stylish affordable trinkets. Some other notable stores include Mrinmoyee, Borno, Shoilee for antique pieces, Topaz Jewels, Opal Fashion Wear and many more.

An opportune marriage between online and in-person trinket shopping

The boutique houses in Dhaka boast artistic and traditional designs inspired by our artists, our culture, history and most importantly the rural population. Notable houses include Aarong, Jatra, Aranya, Chondon, Bibiana, etc.

At Aarong, you can get some of the most beautiful handcrafted jewellery made of silver, studded with the most unconventional pearls and stones. Their oxidised antique pieces of jewellery instantly make you look more artistic and classier. From simple earrings and thread neckpieces ranging from Tk 150 to gold jewellery with a price tag of more than Tk 1 lac, you can get everything at Aarong.

If you want more artistic options, then definitely check out boutique houses like Jatra, Deshal, Chondon, Aranya, Bibiana. They have pieces made of wood, terracotta, brass and other metals, imbued with traditional motifs and fusion designs that pair well with almost any outfit of your choice.

The true one-stop shopping destination for all kinds of trinkets and jewellery

It is no secret that everything is available at New Market, Gausia and Chandni Chawk. So of course, to no one's surprise, you can also shop for jewellery in these places as well. In fact, Gausia, New Market and Chandni Chawk are the most popular jewellery shopping places in the city, attracting customers from all backgrounds and all budgets.

The question is not "What can I get there?", the question is what can't you. These roadside stalls cater to people of all tastes and budgets. From gold and silver coloured imitation jewellery that can give the real ones a run for their money for their exquisite designs, to antique jewellery to satisfy the most artistic of the crowd to simple understated pieces trending globally to bridal jewellery, they have it all at the most affordable price points. The pieces are made of brass, zinc alloy and other kinds of affordable metals, encrusted with imitation stones like imitation ruby, emerald, pearl, diamonds, amethyst, etc. You can get trinkets from as little as Tk 100 taka to Tk 3000-4000. If you can bargain and haggle well, you can purchase for even lower prices.

Whatever design you prefer, one thing is for sure, Dhaka has no dearth of trinket shopping places. These shops cater to even the pickiest ones among the bunch and have something to offer to anyone. So, with Eid around the corner, go exploring both online and in physical spaces. Happy shopping!

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed/Chondon