Hyderabad is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery of exquisite design are specialty. Pearls and diamonds are what the nobles in the mediaeval times sought here. The famed  Kohinoor was  mined in these lands and it now adorns the British Crown. Laad Bazar near Charminar is the heart of old Hyderabad, and where you'll find Hyderabadi specialties such as pearls, glass and jewellery. An interesting market market closer to Abids is sultan Bazaar at the end of Mahipatram Rd. Cultured pearls in the strings or set in jewellery is still a flourishing industry that employs a large number of craftsman.

Bidriware - Hyderabad is also famous for Bidriware, derives its beauty from the contrast created by the inlaid metal-gold silver or brass against the black background. Originating from Bidar, this art achieved perfection in Hyderabad. The design is inlaid by hammering in strands of wire in engraved grooves in linear design or pieces of chiseled out pattern in metal are inserted in exact cut out surface and then hammered in. Later, a permanent black color is imparted to the alloy surface by chemical process which leaves the inlaid designs brilliant and unaffected. 

Pearls - Hyderabad’s chief claim to international fame rests on two things, the Charminar and the pearl market. Both the Qutb Shahi rulers and the Nizams loved pearls and diamonds. They patronized this trade in a big way. The Asaf Jahi Nizams not only wore ropes of pearls studded with diamonds as part of state regalia but also used paste for crushed pearls as beauty aids. The princesses were covered with pearls and weighed against pearls on their birthdays. Osman Ali, the richest of the Nizams stored pearls and diamonds in sacks in basement chambers. At one time pearls were imported from Basra; now Japan is the chief supplier of raw material. The flourishing trade in pearls at Hyderabad attracts tourist and connoisseur alike.

Kat Saris - For women, Hyderabad holds yet another shopping opportunity—those irresistible late saris in striking colors. The patterning is done by resist-dyeing or tie-dyeing the yarn before it is put on the loom for weaving. It requires precise measurement of designs and patterns-birds animals or diamonds cut motifs. The other popular variety of saris is from Siddipet, Dharmavaram, Narayanpet and Gadwal. These forms of weaving require experience since patterns are created by changing the color of the yarn during weaving and by elaborate forms of placement of the warp and weft for creating different motifs. Also typical of the state is Kalmakari—the hand painted fabric, and Nirmal painting, using dyes to create memorable scenes from the Mahabharat and the Ramayana.

Main Shopping areas : Abids Basheerbagh, Nampally and Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad; MG Road and Rashtrpati Road in Secunderabad. The markets around Charminar are favoured for bangles and pearls. Pochampali sarees and fabrics, hand woven in silks and cottons are some of the other handicrafts and perfumes that have made Hyderabad a shopper's delight. The best place to buy arts & crafts from all  over India is Kalanjali on Nampally high Rd.

Hyderabad is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery of exquisite design are specialty. Pearls and diamonds are what the nobles in the mediaeval times sought here. The famed  Kohinoor was  mined in these lands and it now adorns the British Crown. Laad Bazar near Charminar is the heart of old Hyderabad, and where you'll find Hyderabadi specialties such as pearls, glass and jewellery. An interesting market market closer to Abids is sultan Bazaar at the end of Mahipatram Rd. Cultured pearls in the strings or set in jewellery is still a flourishing industry that employs a large number of craftsman.

Bidriware - Hyderabad is also famous for Bidriware, derives its beauty from the contrast created by the inlaid metal-gold silver or brass against the black background. Originating from Bidar, this art achieved perfection in Hyderabad. The design is inlaid by hammering in strands of wire in engraved grooves in linear design or pieces of chiseled out pattern in metal are inserted in exact cut out surface and then hammered in. Later, a permanent black color is imparted to the alloy surface by chemical process which leaves the inlaid designs brilliant and unaffected. 

Pearls - Hyderabad’s chief claim to international fame rests on two things, the Charminar and the pearl market. Both the Qutb Shahi rulers and the Nizams loved pearls and diamonds. They patronized this trade in a big way. The Asaf Jahi Nizams not only wore ropes of pearls studded with diamonds as part of state regalia but also used paste for crushed pearls as beauty aids. The princesses were covered with pearls and weighed against pearls on their birthdays. Osman Ali, the richest of the Nizams stored pearls and diamonds in sacks in basement chambers. At one time pearls were imported from Basra; now Japan is the chief supplier of raw material. The flourishing trade in pearls at Hyderabad attracts tourist and connoisseur alike.

Kat Saris - For women, Hyderabad holds yet another shopping opportunity—those irresistible late saris in striking colors. The patterning is done by resist-dyeing or tie-dyeing the yarn before it is put on the loom for weaving. It requires precise measurement of designs and patterns-birds animals or diamonds cut motifs. The other popular variety of saris is from Siddipet, Dharmavaram, Narayanpet and Gadwal. These forms of weaving require experience since patterns are created by changing the color of the yarn during weaving and by elaborate forms of placement of the warp and weft for creating different motifs. Also typical of the state is Kalmakari—the hand painted fabric, and Nirmal painting, using dyes to create memorable scenes from the Mahabharat and the Ramayana.

Main Shopping areas : Abids Basheerbagh, Nampally and Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad; MG Road and Rashtrpati Road in Secunderabad. The markets around Charminar are favoured for bangles and pearls. Pochampali sarees and fabrics, hand woven in silks and cottons are some of the other handicrafts and perfumes that have made Hyderabad a shopper's delight. The best place to buy arts & crafts from all  over India is Kalanjali on Nampally high Rd.