The historical past of Idar-Oberstein, as town of gems goes again to 500 years in the past, when first deposits of agate have been found. Over the centuries, gem cutters settled in Idar-Oberstein and superior their experience in gem reducing and goldsmith whereas town was present process a mining increase. At first of the19th century, the agate stone reserves began to run down which lead town right into a disaster. Depleting reserves compelled the gem retailers of Idar-Oberstein to search for different sources they usually managed to seek out agate and different minerals in Brazil. This was the beginning of a brand new period for town: an vital hub for gem sellers, gem cutters and jewelry makers.
Hans D. Krieger legacy goes again to the18th century; the household goldsmiths and agate cutters are registered within the metropolis’s historical past as early as 1720. In 1935, Hans D Krieger began his profession in diamond reducing and made his first jewelry piece following a buyer’s order in 1964. This was the start of his journey in manufacturing beautiful excessive jewelry which made the identify turned synonymous with prime quality. The corporate has exponentially grown over the many years and right this moment below the administration of Andreas Krieger, Hans’ son; it has grow to be some of the important producers of diamond and gemstone jewelry on this planet.
Final month, Tracey and I had the chance of visiting Hans D. Krieger within the coronary heart of Idar-Oberstein. Our journey began from Frankfurt airport, and after 90 minutes of scenic drive, we arrived at Marienhoeh Hideaway & Spa in Langweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate. Our journey adopted by an excellent meal at some of the beautiful eating places in Kirschweiler, Veeks restaurant. Veeks proprietor’s ardour for meals and gems has led him in growing gemstone/diamond gins and liquors. Checkout instagram highlights for extra movies of our journey.
Coming into Hans D. Krieger headquarters in Idar-Oberstein the following morning, we have been immensely impressed by the power. First cease was the attractive non-public showroom with an open deck, minimalist ornament with breathtaking artwork items.
The power tour continued with visiting each single division and probably the most spectacular facet was that every little thing is completed in home, below one roof.
Diamond and Gem Reducing:
Hans D. Krieger takes pleasure in reducing and sharpening their diamonds and gems on website. Utilizing Sarin mapping system offers them the very best end result and yield of the tough, following by their skilled diamond cutters on website to chop and polish the tough diamond. There’s a gem cutter on website as nicely, proven right here reducing an aquamarine.
CAD course of:
For each piece, diamond and gemstone is first despatched to CAD division. First step is measuring the stones and their proportions to ensure they’re the suitable match for the design. Afterwards the design can also be imported into CAD for max precision earlier than the casting is completed.
Casting:
From melting gold/platinum to casting timber, each single step of the way in which is completed in home. First the forged or mould is made in silver by the jewelry artisans, from there it get duplicated in rubber and wax . After few time consuming steps, the casting tree is prepared. Normally the method takes about 24-48 hours relying on the steel.
Diamond/Gemstone setters and jewelry artisans:
Each single piece is ready in home at Hans D. Krieger facility, from pave setting to giant diamond/gemstone there are totally different skilled setters that set jewelry right here by hand with utmost precision.
Sprucing, Plating and Engraving:
After the setting, jewels are despatched to polishers to shine them to perfection, additionally checking the setting for any points. For white gold, there’s an additional step of rhodium plating, which by including the alloy of rhodium, the white gold turns from grey (its pure shade) to white. Engraving is completed on each single piece, each HDK emblem in addition to the steel mark.
Hans D. Krieger at the moment has 55 staff. The diamond and jewelry manufacturing workforce in collaboration with groups of expert designers, skilled gross sales/export/import, advertising and admins, are working a clean and finally environment friendly operation. Because of the robust gross sales and constructive outlook of future progress, firm administration has determined to additional develop the operation by constructing further manufacturing facility in the identical location to assist the expansion and to consolidate the manufacturing course of.
On the finish of the in depth tour, we got entry to the stock room, the place we had the possibility to pick out trays of jewelry, strive them on and share the enjoyment with our viewers.
After touring Hans D. Krieger, I personally have a deeper understanding of workmanship and great appreciation and respect for the standard of the items that I had the chance to carry and check out on. I hope this text additionally offers you a greater perspective on what goes into creating one small piece of jewelry; imaginative and prescient, experience, time and materials.
Each Tracey and I are grateful to Andreas and the workforce at Hans D. Krieger for his or her heat welcome and the effort and time they put into displaying us across the facility. Their excellent hospitality throughout our keep in Idar-Oberstein together with the very best of German culinary is a reminiscence that we are going to cherish without end. Our final evening in Idar Oberstein was nicely spent at Weinkonzept Sebastian Stueber restaurant, a hidden gem within the metropolis of gems the place we loved a non-public dinner with a curated menu.
We look ahead to seeing Andreas Krieger and Hans D. Krieger workforce in Geneva for Haute Jewels Geneva; March 26-April 2 2023, Fairmont Grand Resort.
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