MARKET INTELLIGENCE 市场情报 80 | JNA September/October 2024 Rolling green hills punctuated by tall jagged rocks that cradle an 11th century church, a medieval castle and the gentle flow of a small river is not quite the setting for extraordinary industry and creative passion. But in the case of Idar-Oberstein, a small picturesque town in southwestern Germany, it definitely is. Behind the facades of charming pastel buildings is a thriving heart of creativity, an indomitable pioneering spirit and a quiet sense of cooperation. Despite its relative remoteness – access by air is via Frankfurt or neighbouring Luxembourg – Idar-Oberstein is on the radar of designers and collectors worldwide who seek out rarities, both as polished gems and objects of art. Its fame as a cutting centre started 600 years ago when gemstones such as agate, jasper, amethyst and carnelian were discovered there. Idar-Oberstein residents are credited with developing the first vertical sandstone grinding wheels powered by water from the Idar stream. As innovation and skill developed, the cutting industry boomed and the town became famous for its polished gemstones and objects. By the 1800s, the deposits had dwindled, but it was then that the cutters of the town became pioneers and international players. Facing stark adversity, many left in search of gemstone rough, sailing as far as Brazil where their knowledge helped pinpoint its undiscovered gemstone deposits including the agate reserves in Rio Grande do Sul. As early as 1834, large quantities of agate and other Idar-Oberstein, Germany (Picture courtesy of Constantin Wild) 德国伊达尔-奥伯施泰因(图片鸣谢: Constantin Wild) GEM ARTISTS OF IDAR-OBERSTEIN 德国宝石艺匠融会传统与创新 draw on tradition and innovation | Jennifer Henricus | Germany’s premier gemstone cutting and trading centre, Idar-Oberstein, is home to some of the world’s most celebrated lapidarists whose passion and trailblazing attitude drive creativity in the coloured gemstone world. 德国宝石切割及贸易重镇伊达尔-奥伯施泰因 (Idar-Oberstein) 是全球顶尖宝石专家的故 乡，他们的热忱与开创性思维，推动彩宝世界展现无穷创意。 A 9-carat Paraiba tourmaline from Wild & Petsch GmbH Wild & Petsch GmbH的9克拉帕拉伊巴碧玺
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