The vault: Mushtaq Khan

Owner of Kabul Handicrafts, shares some of his favourite silver jewellery pieces and the stories behind them


September 11, 2016

Mushtaq Khan, The

How did you get interested in jewellery?

My grandfather was running a jewellery business back in Afghanistan. When we migrated to Pakistan 30 years ago, my father shifted the family business here. Our shop has been in Liberty Market for more than 28 years now.

What are your favourite pieces of jewellery?

Each piece in our shop is unique and has a story behind it, but if I have to pick only one it would have to be this silver, chunky, handmade necklace. I love how it’s an ethnic and timeless Afghan jewellery piece. It looks even more beautiful when worn.



Where did you get them?

We buy our jewellery pieces from various dealers who get them from Peshawar, Gilgit or even from Afghanistan and Nepal. We choose and select, just like a customer does.

Share a story with us about how you acquired one of your favourite pieces?

I remember how once a beautiful silver fruit bowl was sold to my father by a dealer. The dealer claimed it was real silver and sold it for more than Rs300,000. We later discovered it wasn’t real but even then it was a magnificent statement piece that a customer happily bought.

Why do you get handmade vintage jewellery instead of importing your merchandise from China, which has become the norm?

A factory in China might be able to produce a close copy, but a customer who understands the value of handmade products would only go for the real deal. Be it handmade shawls, jewellery or even embroidered material, not only are they valuable collectible items but they are simply timeless.

Is there anything on your radar that you want to get in the future?

My father and I, we are always on the lookout to acquire different jewellery pieces that would appeal to our customers. We don’t follow trends and believe in getting pieces that stand the test of time.

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