Gems of Eastern Europe

If you love jewelry, geology, or raw gemstones, you'll find unusual and beautiful souvenirs for your collection when you travel to Eastern Europe. Amber can be found in the Baltic states, Poland, Russia, and elsewhere. If you really love amber, don't forget to pay a visit to one of Eastern Europe's amber museums. Czech garnets are easily found in Prague shops, either set into precious metals or raw. In Russia, it is possible to purchase beads, jewelry, and decorative items made from malachite, lapis lazuli, amazonite, and other gems. You can also see some of the most astounding uses of precious and semi-precious stones at museums, like Moscow's State Armoury Museum or the palace museums in St. Petersburg.

Amber Photo Credit: Dovile Cizaite © 2006