Top 5 Products to Buy in Kashmir

Kashmir is a region in India's northwest characterized by its large Chinar trees, rolling green hills and deep traditions. As a land of many different religion and tribes, Kashmir is also abundant in unique arts, crafts, clothing, and other quality items. Shopping has long been a highlight for people visiting the region, especially in the famous bazaars of Srinagar. With handmade handicrafts that reflect the natural beauty of region's scenery, Kashmir and its products have attained worldwide recognition. Learn about some of the most popular and sought-after Kashmiri products that have given the region its well-earned fame.

1 Kashmir Sapphires
Kashmir SapphiresOne of the most famous and luxurious items to come from Kashmir is the  Kashmir sapphire. Mining and production of sapphires in Kashmir met its peak period at the end of the 19th century. Many consider the aqua-blue gemstones from this region the most famous and valuable in the world due to their vibrant color and "sleepy" quality.
Those shopping for authentic Kashmir sapphires should be prepared to search hard and spend heavily. Miners rarely discover new sapphires, and owners rarely sell them at auctions. eBay offers a collection of  natural Kashmir sapphires of varying quality and carats. You can also find a wide selection of synthetic Kashmir sapphires in the form of  rings.

2 Shawls
ShawlsThe traditional clothes of Kashmir are some of the finest in India, and shawls top the list for popularity. Men and women of Kashmir traditionally wore a Salwar as their lower garment, and an upper garment known as a "pheran." A pheran resembles a loose gown with sleeves and an open collar with heavy folds. A headscarf or a turban then usually complements these costumes.
 Kashmir shawls are typically made of wool, pashmina or shahtoosh. Their characteristics include elaborate designs such as the "cone" pattern, deep colors, and high-quality fabrics. Apart from shape and pattern, one can classify Kashmir shawls as either loom-woven (also known as tiliwalla, tilikar or kani kar) or embroidered (also known as amlikar). You can find many varieties of Kashmir shawls on eBay, including  antique ones.

3 Antique Handicrafts
Antique HandicraftsThe large variety of  antique items for sale in Kashmir can sometimes overwhelm travellers. The artisans there are famous for their production of  papier mache items such as wall hangings and decorative items. These differ in price and quality depending on the raw material (paper or cardboard) used for the product.
Srinagar's old city is abundant in antique copperware like "samovars" and trays. Some of the copperware has floral, geometric, or calligraphic motif engravings.
Finally, no collection of antique Kashmir handiwork is complete without  wooden items. Artisans mostly use walnut wood in their products, which is a high quality wood retains its strength when carved. Some popular wooden handicrafts include house furniture, jewelry boxes, and table lamps.

4 Cashmere Products
Cashmere ProductsOne of the most popular and well-known items to originate from Kashmir is its eponymous cashmere fabric.  Cashmere is a type of wool that comes from special goats native to the hills of Kashmir. The fabric is characterized by its soft and light texture, and its ability to insulate heat. Harvested from the Cashmere goat's undercoat fibers, kashmir naturally comes in brown, white, and grey.  Cashmere coats and  sweaters are very popular items to buy due to their thin yet warm properties.  Cashmere blankets, like cashmere coats and sweaters, provide lightweight heat insulation. A real high-quality cashmere blanket can be quite expensive, so consider your budget and whether quality or size is most important.

5 Carpets
CarpetsCarpets and  rugs produced in Kashmir are famous because they are knotted and never tufted. A real  Kashmir carpet is handmade, hand-knotted, and usually made from pure wool or silk. They are characterised by bright colors that recalls jewels such as sapphire blue, emerald green or ruby red. Kashmir carpets also often incorporate oriental and floral designs that represent the Kashmiri tradition and lifestyle. You can distinguish authentic hand-knotted carpets from others as they typically have between 600 and 900 knots per square inch. They are available in a wide range of designs, sizes, and colors.