Luque Filigree: Where to Buy Paraguay’s Silver Lace Jewelry
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Photo: Paraguayan lace, whose motifs filigree shares. Trey Jones / Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
If ñandutí is lace made from thread, filigree is lace made from silver. In Luque, the town that wraps around Asunción’s airport, artisans twist hair-thin wire into flowers, hummingbirds and tiny harps. It is the most elegant souvenir in Paraguay, and the one you will actually wear every week.
The quick answer: go to Luque, about 30 minutes from central Asunción and right next to Silvio Pettirossi airport. Jewelry workshops and shops around the town center sell silver filigree earrings and bracelets, often for roughly G. 70,000 to 150,000. There is no permanent fair, so go on a weekday when workshops are open.
What is filigree?
Filigree (filigrana) is jewelry made by twisting, flattening and soldering very fine metal threads into open patterns. It came to South America with the Spanish and Portuguese, and Luque became Paraguay’s center for it. Most pieces are silver; gold and gold-plated pieces exist too, at very different prices.
A craft worth supporting
Local reporting estimates that Luque has around 200 to 300 filigree artisans today, down from about 1,500 at the craft’s peak. Buying directly from workshops keeps the money with the makers, and it is a lot more interesting than buying from a display case.
Motifs to look for
- Flowers, the most traditional design.
- Hummingbirds (mainumby in Guaraní).
- Harps, a nod to Paraguay’s national instrument.
- Ñandutí-style rounds that echo the lace.
How to shop for quality
- Check the joins. Good pieces have clean solder points and no sharp ends.
- Ask about the metal. Ask whether a piece is solid silver, gold or plated, and expect prices to reflect it.
- Feel the weight. Very light, very cheap pieces are often plated.
- Commission something. Many workshops make custom pieces if you have a few days.
How to visit Luque
Take a ride-hailing app from Asunción; it is about 30 minutes without traffic. The easiest trick is to go on your way to or from the airport: leave a couple of hours spare, keep your bag in the car, and shop. Luque is also known for its instrument makers, so harp fans should ask around.
Shop Latin American statement pieces
Romantic Latin American designers to pair with your filigree, curated on ShopMy.
FAQ
How much does filigree cost in Luque?
Silver earrings and bracelets often cost roughly G. 70,000 to 150,000. Gold and large pieces cost much more.
Can I buy filigree in Asunción?
Yes, in craft shops and some jewelers, but Luque has more choice.
Keep reading
Tours and experiences in Asunción
See more Asunción experiences on GetYourGuide ↗ · Compare tours on Viator ↗
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, Jet Set LatAM may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Researched in October 2026.
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