Rubaiyat

This 17^th ave gem is quickly becoming one of my go-​to spots for gifts and all things unique. Most definitely one of the best shopping experiences in Calgary. Thanks Morgan for helping me pick out some great pieces.
In a city with such poor levels of customer service this place stands out as the best making customers feel valued and appreciated.

Great store for eclectic items and jewelry. However this business would greatly benefit from staff that is friendly and professional as upon my last visit, the staff attitude was rude and condescending in a way that made me feel like they were doing me a favour. I’ve purchased numerous items at the store but I can say that’s my last visit They haven’t just lost my business but this includes my friends and business associates. This business needs drastic improvement in customer interaction and relations and an attitude adjustment.

When a jewellery maker friend of mine advised me that the best high quality jewellery you can buy in Calgary is obviously Holt Renfrew and this one shop on 17^th called Rubaiyat.
Now I pass here all the time, never in my wildest dreams did I expect what I saw inside; we are talking first of all an incredibly large store that descends for eternity to the back and is just plain lovely! My friend wasn’t exaggerating, every showcase, every shelf; every glassed cabinet was chockfull of lovely designer jewellery in the most spectacular designs. Here they carry some of the same designers as they do in Holt Renfrew but for a lot cheaper prices.
But it didn’t stop at jewellery there were beautiful globes of blown glass, intricately carved chopping boards that I would have hung rather than use and then my favourite an ethnographic object showcase in the far back featuring ceremonial objects from around the world.
Here you can find original African Masks, fertility symbols from many countries, Native American antique pieces and authentic temple Buddhas. These objects were definitely market prices, you can buy these pieces for 4 times more on EBay, and here they are quite reasonable in price. Some of them have documentation too, so you know what village or tribe you are buying that object from.
The service is tremendous, the people here know their stuff, they understand the precious cargo they carry. They are extremely present in helping you to see a piece or two, in my case more than 10.
I love this store, it is exquisite, some of the most unique items I have ever seen and jewellery with such spirit, you should check this store out.

Stepping into the Rubaiyat is like stepping into my artist’s aunts walk-​in closet. A life of hippiedom and travel have left her with a life resplendent with jewelry and clothes and stuff from around the world. I was just bumming around on their website and they call all that stuff «handcrafts» which is definitely one way of calling it.
Rubaiyat’s «handcrafts» are pretty varied:
–beautiful silver and semi-​precious stone jewelry that is really unique
–glassware like cups and vases and artpieces
–Statues (when in with said aunt, she could name off some of the artists. I don’t know if I’d want a statue of distorted people in my house for several hundred dollars, but I’m a plebe. they were definitely unique!)
–Garden stuff
–The odd furniture piece
It’s a pretty cool place that I think primarily appeals to the rich bohemians who love this stuff. I love it too, but I only spend that much on a necklace as a gift to my mom!