The village of Celuk, about 4 km southwest of the Sukawati District, is Bali’s major centre for goldsmiths and silversmiths. The village’s main road of Jalan Raya Celuk is lined up with galleries and workshops and is a common highlight on tour itineraries to the central and northern regions such as Ubud and Kintamani. It’s also a link in Bali’s Batubulan-Mas-Sukawati-Ubud so-called ‘golden pentacle’ of artisans and craftsmen.

The gold and silver items crafted here are high quality and feature unique and elaborate designs – the craftsmen are known for their skills and industriousness. Almost all of the households in the village are homes to jeweller families. Celuk smiths possess artistic skills in developing and executing intricate designs and varying patterns.

Celuk Village Gold and Silversmiths - one of the highlights of 33 Best Shopping in Ubud (Read all about Bali here)

The items produced here include souvenirs for retail and jewellery for mass export such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, studs, broaches and many other Balinese ceremonial accessories and adornments.

You can see the elaborate designing and production processes up close and witness a work of art in the making. Also, products can be purchased directly. Many of the private jeweller homes in Celuk act as galleries, showcasing items in their front houses through glass displays, and others are viewable in their workshops.

What to buy in Celuk Village

Finished products are displayed in 360-degree viewing glass cases, enabling visitors to inspect the designs from all angles. If you wish to inspect an item even closer, ask the gallery or shopkeeper to take them out for you, and they'll be happy to explain the process of production and other interesting details behind the items.

Most of the items have small paper price tags bearing US dollars and, in many cases, Indonesian rupiah. Prices vary according to the weight of the piece or the intricacy of the design, with items such as small pendants starting from as low as Rp 50,000. Complex, magnificent items such as silver sailing ships in glass displays or a temple replica can reach a high of about Rp 15 million.

Although most of the items bear price tags, bargaining is still possible. Start at half of the price on the tag and haggle from there until you reach a mutually agreeable price.

Celuk Village Gold and Silversmiths

Location: Jalan Raya Celuk, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia

Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveller