EINKAUFSFÜHRER - Bundesverband der Edelstein

But although this modern and inexpensive mass production or
processing of gemstones has become a standard, Idar-Oberstein
still has to face the challenges of world-wide competition especially
by such countries where the labour costs are extremely lower.
However, the wealth of experience and knowledge collected over centuries of faceting
gemstones of any kind, still defends the market position and provides the basis
for the Idar-Oberstein region's superiority in the medium to top end qualities.
Agates and Others.
In the water-driven cutting mills along the rivers and rivulets in the region, agates and
jaspers have received their smooth finish for centuries. In later days this was also performed
generally in smaller cutting mills where the above-mentioned sandstone
wheels were employed, but then driven by electrical motors. The German gemstone
industry supplied a large percentage of the
demand to the world market in this field. In
the course of years, however, conventional
methods of work could not keep up with the
competition for lower priced stones from
countries where the level of wages is much
lower.
But for good qualities, special cuts and individual
and unique pieces the Idar-Oberstein
region still holds the top rank due the
world wide unachieved know-how and concentration
of processing facilities here.
Achatpokal, Exponat Deutsches Edelsteinmuseum
Foto: J. Karpinksi
Bowls and objets d' art.
Many museums and churches all over the world display cups, bowls and other objects
which were crafted from the local material in this region, and which were for example
sent out to the numerous Royal Courts in former times. Fortunately there are still
some skilled craftsmen around who continue providing excellent work in this field. In
this respect, then, Idar-Oberstein holds another top rank in the world, which the artists
have even managed to expand in the last thirty years.
Engravings.
A very important part of the gemstone industry is engravings of various kinds. This
traditional craft, which has kept on developing at Idar-
Oberstein since the middle of the 19th century,
manages to achieve the status of art in its best
examples. The products offered here can easily
compete with the best pieces ever crafted in
ancient eras, they are not only comparable but in
the craftsmanship demonstrated even surpass the
older specimen. There is no any other gemstone centre
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Foto: van Pelt
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