Handbook

What to Buy

Armenian crafts show elegant utility or delightful whimsy in textiles, ceramics, metal and woodworking.

Armenian weavings: Since ancient times, the garments of Armenian masters, expressed in carpet-making art, have their own special place among world famous eastern carpets. Armenian carpets are special today for being woven with traditional methods, high quality threads, height of pile, pattern diversity, and combinations of bright colors achieved by the use of strong paints made of minerals, plants and animals. The patterns for the carpets contain different images, such as "vishaps" (dragons), trees of life, plants and geometrical shapes, as well as important ornaments of Medieval Armenia: the cross and the eagle. But it is not the only fine art. Kilim weaving, for example is also used for clothing items, bags and soft furnishings.

Stones: Armenia is a country of stones of volcanic origin including multicolored tuff, basalt, granite, marble, onyx, obsidian, agate, jasper and opal. Some of these are widely used as building materials and building facing. Semiprecious stones are used by world-renowned Armenian jewelers to create extraordinarily designed handicrafts, set in stone, silver and wood combinations. What is more precious, however, is their diverse beauty and range of colors.

Fresh dried fruits, vegetable and nuts: Vendors in the open markets prepare wafer-thin sheets of fruit and nut rolls in every imaginable combination. Plentiful in the markets are assortments of apricots, figs, mulberries, quinces and pomegranates.

Healing Mineral water springs: According to legend, after adopting Christianity as a state religion, the relics of the saints were transported to Armenia. In places where the ceremony stopped, springs of various physic-chemical composition appeared. These are found in different parts of this sacred land. Stone baths, dating from the 1st century A.D., were discovered in almost all regions of Armenia. Armenia is also famous for its mineral drinking water. The mineral waters of Jermuk, Kjni, Sevan, Lori, Dilijan, Hankavan and Arzni are known to be tasty and healthy dinner drinks.

Wood carvings: Woodcarvings replicate the ancient stone crosses (khachkars) found throughout the country, no two are alike. Jewelry: Armenian jewelry is made of gold, precious and semi-precious stones. Obsidian stone is used for Jewelry, desk accessories and decorative items. Ceramic salt cellars and wine jugs are considered symbols of Armenian hospitality