Red Coral Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the most popular tourist items in Croatia, red coral in particular. This natural "stone" is actually calcium carbonate deposited by marine invertebrates in dark areas of the rocky sea bottom. (The same chemical substance as pearls, yet very different in appearance.) It is polished, cut and beaded or placed in settings and it can be shades of reddish pink, bright red or orange-red. You'll also find a great deal of turquoise jewelry for sale in Croatia, even though most of the turquoise comes from outside Croatia. Typically, I am a bargain shopper, and they are selling quite a bit of red coral in the United States now. Sometimes I find it at bargain prices in stores like Marshall's or T.J. Max--prices better than those in Croatia. If you want to bring back a red coral item from Croatia, look for something unique and avoid the very expensive stores.
Art WorkA great variety of art work in found in Croatian tourist shops, especially scenes of harbors and boats. The artistic skill and price vary, but we thought the prices, quality and variety of prints were best at the Split Riva within the palace shops. We bought two very nice "drypoint" prints there signed with an embossed seal by the artist Branko Modic for 250 kuna each ($50). (Drypoint is a process that involves a hand-engraved copper plate rubbed with inks and hand pressed.) Click here for more on Branko Modic.
Lavender Products
Croatia is a major producer of lavender products and the oils and buds can be purchased quite inexpensively in almost every tourist area. Hvar is the center of this production. Click here for more on Hvar Island.
Wines and Olive Oil
These are also important products in Croatia and are esteemed world wide.
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