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Jewelry made of Lapis Lazuli

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Shopping in Santiago is exciting and opportunities to shop abound! Whether traditional downtown shopping in the numerous shops on Huerfanos and near the Hotel Carerra, fashionable uptown shopping on Providencia, or in one of the beautiful residential area malls, a splendid array of shops, boutiques and markets are within your reach.

The Bellavista District is known for its "Lapis Lazuli" shops and factory. The "Lapis Lazuli" is a semi-precious stone found in the high Andes north of Santiago (and but only one other place in the world.) Small, highly polished, deep blue stones are the most expensive; larger stones are used in high fashion jewelry in sterling silver or 18k settings.  The Blue Stone is dedicated only to jewelry made from the Lapis Lazuli stone and other handicrafts.

Leather goods, including hi-style shoes and boots, are not cheap as they once were, but are still good buys compared to Stateside prices.

If you are in Santiago over the weekend be sure to visit the "Los Dominicos" Handicraft Village located uptown by the Church of Los Dominicos. It resembles a typical village of the central valley and artisans and craftsmen from all over the country work and sell their handicrafts here. You'll find works in materials such as clay, wicker, stone, wool and leather, jewelry with the gemstone lapis lazuli and other native stones, as well as Chile's traditional copper art objects.

The best place to purchase pottery is at Pomaire, approximately 40 miles west of Santiago. This old, one-time Indian settlement nestles among small hills and is the source of the special clay used for the primitive pottery made in almost all homes. Watch them work, shaping the clay into plates, bowls, vases and flower pots, turning the circular table with their bare feet as they work the clay with their hands.