Craftmanships

Precise fine craftsmanship is the key to high quality jewelry

Traditional craftmanship Handmade quality goods

The neighboring countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland have a long history of design culture and their goods are in demand all over the world, thanks to their unique appearance, design expertise, utility value & quality craftmanship. Applied arts has many aspects and directions, some developed further others may have been forgotten.

Handmade wooden art often has a long family tradition

Wood Carving

Oberammergau, a Bavarian village associated first and foremost with its famous Easter Passion plan, taking place only once every 10 years, is also well-known for its artistic wood-sculpting tradition. It has an own trade school for artistic woodwork, which was established 150 years ago and is home to some 70 whittlers, who call themselves “Herrgottschnitzer” (God-carvers), since they mainly carve images of saints. For generations, German craftsmen have been perfecting their skills. Native wood is cut, dried, and transformed into beautiful works of art. Every sculpture is unique and taken care of with great passion and faith.

Crystal-cutting

Swarovski is an Austrian producer of glass based in Wattens and has existed as a family-owned business since its founding in 1895. This factory was home to the first crystal-cutting machines that revolutionized the jewelry business by creating a method for the mass production of crystals. Swarovski's vision was to make “a diamond for everyone” by making crystals affordable. Swarovski glass is produced by melting a mixture of quartz sand, soda, potash, and other ingredients at high temperatures, leading to glass sculptures, miniature, jewelry, rhinestones, home decor and chandeliers.

Idar-Oberstein

Idar-Oberstein is known as a gemstone center. Until the 18th century, the area was a source for agate and jasper. A combination of low-cost labour and energy helped the gemstone-working industry flourish. The river Nahe provided free waterpower for the cutting and polishing machines at the mills. In Idar-Oberstein you can discover world-famous museums, jewelry studios, gemstone cutting workshops and visitor mines.

Nyphemburg Porcelaine

The Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory is located in one of the Cavalier Houses in front of the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich and since its establishment in 1747 has produced porcelain of high quality. It is one of the last porcelain producers in the world where every single part is made entirely by hand and their color storage is the largest in the world.

Gmund Paper

The highest quality from Gmund on the shores of Lake Tegernsee. Sustainable paper products directly from the manufacturer, made from certified raw materials, using both traditional and modern printing techniques to accentuate the unique character of Gmund’s paper products. Gmund´s paper products for all needs and occasions – lifestyle from the paper machine.

Clock Making

Schönwald, a small village located in the Black Forest of Germany, is known as the birthplace of the cuckoo clock. The story of this craftmanship begins around 1630, when a peddler who sold glass from the Black Forest returned with a clock, perhaps from the land of Böhmen (today's Czech Republic). The people were fascinated by this technical wonder and started building their own clocks, creating the tradition of clock making.