The Art of Moroccan Shopping

Quality Indicators

• Thickness: quality leather is at least 1-2mm thick, not paper-thin
• Stitching: hand-stitching is uneven but strong; machine stitching should be tigh...
• Smell: genuine leather has a distinct earthy scent, not chemical plastic

Watch Out For

• Synthetic leather sold as genuine; do the scratch test (real leather shows a lighter colou...
• Tourist-grade thin leather that tears within months

Quality Indicators

• Uniform glaze without bubbles, cracks, or rough patches
• Hand-painted designs show slight variations; stencilled are perfectly uniform
• Weight: quality ceramics have a satisfying heft, not feather-light

Watch Out For

• Factory-produced items sold as "hand-painted" at artisan prices
• Decorative-only pieces sold as food-safe without lead-free certification

Quality Indicators

• Thread count: denser weave indicates higher quality
• Natural vs. synthetic dyes: natural dyes fade more evenly over time
• Evenness: handwoven textiles may have slight irregularities but should be consis...

Watch Out For

• Machine-woven fabrics sold as handmade at handloom prices
• Synthetic thread sold as silk; burn test reveals plastic smell

Quality Indicators

• Evenness of hammer marks (consistent patterning shows skilled hand)
• Weight: heavier metal indicates thicker gauge and greater durability
• Engraving depth: deeper engraving requires more skill and time

Watch Out For

• Painted zinc sold as brass; genuine brass is heavy and yellowish
• Machine-stamped patterns sold as hand-engraved

Quality Indicators

• Wood type: thuya has a distinctive swirl grain and warm scent
• Inlay quality: pieces of contrasting wood should be perfectly flush
• Finish: well-sanded and oiled surfaces, no rough edges or splinters

Watch Out For

• Thuya veneer over softwood core sold as solid thuya
• Artificially scented cheap wood passed off as cedar or thuya

Quality Indicators

• Silver purity: look for 925 hallmark for sterling; coin silver is also common
• Stone settings: prongs should be tight with no wiggle
• Weight: genuine silver is heavier than silver-plated base metal

Watch Out For

• Silver-plated brass sold as solid silver
• Glass stones sold as semi-precious (amber, coral, turquoise)

Quality Indicators

• Knot density: fold the carpet back; more visible knots indicate higher quality
• Material: genuine wool feels warm and springy; synthetics feel slippery
• Natural dyes: colours are slightly uneven (abrash); synthetic are perfectly unif...

Watch Out For

• Synthetic or blended wool sold as pure virgin wool; burn test reveals plastic smell
• "Antique" carpets artificially aged by sun bleaching or chemical washing

Quality Indicators

• Saffron: deep red threads with orange tips, strong aroma, high staining power
• Ras el hanout: should contain 15+ identifiable ingredients; pre-ground loses fla...
• Freshness: strong aroma when crushed between fingers

Watch Out For

• Safflower (cheap) sold as saffron (expensive); real saffron has three red stigma per threa...
• Pre-mixed ras el hanout filled with cheap filler spices

Quality Indicators

• Colour: cosmetic oil is golden-clear; culinary oil is darker brown
• Absorption: genuine argan absorbs quickly with no greasy residue
• Scent: cosmetic has a mild nutty aroma; culinary has a rich, toasted scent

Watch Out For

• Olive or sunflower oil sold as argan; taste test reveals bland flavour
• Diluted argan oil (mixed with cheaper oils) sold as pure

Quality Indicators

• Fired temperature: properly kiln-fired pottery rings when tapped
• Glaze: even coverage, no bare spots, no crazing (tiny cracks)
• Base: unglazed base should be smooth and clean

Watch Out For

• Low-fired pottery sold as kiln-fired; low-fired cracks when heated
• Leaded glaze on cooking tagines (dangerous for food use)

Quality Indicators

• Hand-cut vs. machine-cut: hand-cut pieces have slight variations in shape
• Colour consistency: within a pattern, colours should be uniform
• Fit: well-assembled zellige has minimal gaps between tiles

Watch Out For

• Machine-cut tile sold at hand-cut prices
• Printed tile stickers sold as genuine zellige to unknowing tourists

Quality Indicators

• Sole material: leather soles are superior; rubber or plastic are cheaper
• Stitching: tight, even stitching around the sole with no loose threads
• Interior: smooth lining without rough seams that cause blisters

Watch Out For

• Plastic soles painted to look like leather
• Cheap synthetic uppers dyed to mimic leather