Precious Prizes

Gemstone Object by Hans-Günter Becker

One hundred and six competitors from eight countries including Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Switzerland and the U.S., submitted their gemstone entries to the two competitions.

The main competition was based on the theme, “Mirror, mirror upon the wall…” while the young talent competition also focused on a fairytale, this time Rumplestiltskin.

Keeping Idar-Oberstein’s gem heritage in mind, the first priority of the competitions was gemstone design. Accepted were un-mounted gemstones, gemstones in finished jewellery (in this case only precious metals were allowed), gemstone objects and gemstone sculptures. The young talent competition permitted the use of synthetic gemstones.

First prize in the main competition went to Hans-Günter Becker from Niederbrombach for his gemstone object made of rock crystal and citrine. The jury said this simple and downright minimalist contribution represented the best piece of the main contest, explaining that it was impressed by its aesthetic shape and harmonic design.

Second prize was awarded to Manfred Wild of Kirschweiler for his gemstone object, dubbed, “Romeo and Julia,” made of partially carved rock crystal.

Third prize was given to Claudia Adam and Jörg Stoffel of Stipshausen for their gemstone object made of rock crystal and gold leaf.

For the German Young Talent Competition for Gemstone and Jewellery Design Idar-Oberstein 2011, the first prize was awarded to Alexander Friedrich of Idar-Oberstein for him gemstone object made of rock crystal. According to the jury, the piece “seems to invite the spectator to a discovery trip into the gem.” The jury said it was particularly taken by the clear structure of the object as well as the fascinating interaction of its three-leafed shape and the hollow tubes piercing the crystal, calling it a piece that was futuristic and architectural at the same time.

Second prize went to Stefanie Bleck of Steinhagen for her ring “Fire Dance,” which was made of silver, sapphire, fire opal, smoky quartz and ebony.

Third prize in the young talent competition was awarded to Jessica Mauritz of Kirschweiler for her gemstone object made of YAG-crystals, plastic and gypsum

Idar-Oberstein

Think famous gemstone locations and you are likely to think Brazil or India or but one European city has long been synonymous with the gemstone industry: the town of Idar-Oberstein in Germany.

The town began its gem connection in earnest in the late 1400s when the mining of agate, jasper and quartz was begun. Making the most of the Nahe River, which passes through the town, hundreds of waterwheel-powered stone cutting wheels were constructed, and the town’s gem cutting industry began.

By the 1800s, the town had become a destination for gem cutting, with hundreds of cutting houses being established to take advantage of the flood of gemstones that arrived from all corners of the world.

While rising wages brought about a decline in the town’s cutting fortunes, Idar-Oberstein today is still a center for cutting, albeit mainly larger, more valuable rough, as well as a gem trading center.