Page 171 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza
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SHOPPING IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS 169
Simulated Pearls
The production method for
simulated pearls was patented
in 1925 by Eduard Heusch, a
German engineer. The recipe
for producing a thin bead
coating layer is kept secret
to this day, for obvious reasons,
though it is said to contain
fish scales mixed with resin.
Two factories in Manacor
and Montuïri produce these
simulated pearls, which are
of good quality and, to the
untrained eye, virtually
impossible to distinguish
from the real thing.
The beads are immersed
repeatedly in a liquid com
pound, which imitates the Inside the Gordiola glass factory in Mallorca
natural process of pearl
production. Afterwards, each woven from strong grass or jute, continue to create a stir at
pearl is polished by hand and and hats that are popular with the annual fashion shows. The
weighed. The production the locals and tourists alike. fashion show Moda Ad Lib is
process can be seen during a held every June, in Eivissa,
visit to the Perlas Orquidea Ibiza. Clothes that
factory. Be aware that the Other Local are shown here
Products
factory shop sells them at much can later be bought
lower prices than those charged The Balearic in Eivissa’s
by shops elsewhere. Islands, and fashionable
Menorca in An olive wood boutiques – at
particular, are household bowl high prices.
famous for their Traditional gold
production of excellent and silver jewellery has been
footwear. In Menorca the produced by local craftsmen
centre of the leather industry on the Balearic Islands for
is Ferreries. Here, you can buy centuries. Although less
relatively inexpensive shoes, fashionable now, it is still
Straw hat, popular in the islands bags and leather clothes. It is used as an addition to folk
worth taking a closer look at costumes. Similar to the
some of the sandal designs, enduringly popular fashion in
Wood and Wicker which are unique to this clothing, the designs of gold
Products
island, locally known as jewellery are inspired largely
Artifacts made of olive wood abarcas menorquinas. In by hippy culture. Silver and
are very popular in the Balearic Mallorca the cheapest place metal items can be bought at
Islands and can be distin to buy leather products is Inca. “hippy markets”, particularly in
guished by their rich colour Weaving and embroidery Ibiza and Formentera.
and unusual grain. Olivart, a have a long local history.
factory in Palma, produces The traditional robes
a number of basic house de llengues – print
hold goods, such as bowls decorated heavy linen
and mortars, as well as fabrics – are often used
ornamental items and to decorate Mallorcan
many other souvenirs. homes, even today. They
The dwarf palm, or palmito, can be used for curtains
grows on many of the islands’ and bedspreads as well
mountain slopes. Its leaves are as wall linings and
used, particularly in Artà, to furniture upholstery.
weave chair seats, baskets, bags Clothes that imitate
and the soles of the espadrille or hippy fashions from the
alpargatas. In addition to this, 1960s are still very much
local craftsmen produce a wide in vogue, and designs
variety of bags and baskets produced in this style A cobbler at work
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