“When I was a child, I asked my father what his favourite gemstone was. He answered without hesitation: ‘imperial topaz’. I first visited Brazil at 22 years old and saw the gem with my own eyes, and that’s when I understood why my father was so enchanted by it. I have been collecting imperial topaz ever since,” says Constantin Wild.
At the mention of topaz, most people think of a cheap dark blue stone that occurs in mass-produced jewellery. Very few people think of the unbelievably valuable collector’s variety of this stone, not to mention the exceptional beauty of the imperial topaz. When Constantin first bought several specimens from Brazil in the 1980s, this stunning mineral was only known to a small circle of people.
“For a long time, the noble topaz was only for connoisseurs. In recent years, this valued gem has enjoyed a renaissance, the most beautiful variety of which, the Brazilian imperial topaz, has become extremely rare,” explains Constantin, one of the most well-respected precious stone dealers and gem cutters in the world. Continue reading Constantin Wild: Imperial Topaz, the ‘Emperor’ from Brazil→
Out and about are the new Pantone colours that we can expect to see on the high streets come next autumn. ‘Variety is the spice of life’ seems to be the theme of these renowned international experts. The colours are confident, bold and strong, with sophisticated shades. Standout colours or elegant classics – everyone will find his or her favourite hue here. Constantin Wild opens his treasure chamber to present a variety of exceptional gems that best reflect the colour of your choice, preparing for a grand entrance and some magical moments.
Spice up your life – Pantone Chili Pepper
This spicy red is a real head-turner. The eye-catching effect is mirrored in the pairing of the gemstones Ruby and its soulmate, the Red Spinel. Both these breathtaking rarities are known to create excitement with their clear sparkle and pave the way for any red-carpet moment. An intriguing side effect: this passionate confident shade of red stimulates the senses.
Ruby: Wild Chili Pepper – Pantone’19
Intriguing Powerplay – Pantone Biking Red
Strong and powerful are the attributes of Biking Red. This adventurous colour is reflected in the luscious Rhodolite Garnet …
Infinite space – Pantone Galaxy Blue
This endless blue embodies deep oceans and infinite space. A pairing Blue Sapphire could be the highlight of a confident business outfit or an evening dress. The tonality of this precious beauty is often referred to as ‘the blue of a clear sky just minutes after sundown’. Favoured by royalty, movie stars and celebrities, this elegant stone adds glamour to any occasion.
Blue Sapphire: Wild Galaxy Blue – Pantone’19
Light-hearted cheerfulness – Pantone Orange Tiger
As Frank Sinatra once said, “Orange is the happiest colour”. And fearless energy is associated with the hues of Pantone Orange Tiger, its gemstone correspondent being a Mandarin Garnet, known for its radiance. One thing is for sure: any woman will draw attention with this fruity-coloured stone that has only been known in the gemstone trade for 20 years. Did you know that this stone is predestined for sparkling investments too?
Orange Sapphire: Wild Elegance – Pantone’19
Another rarity reflecting light-hearted cheerfulness is the Orange Sapphire – whose stylish appearance is simply breathtaking. This spellbinding treasure is very much sought after.
Sophistication by nature – Pantone Eden
The natural hue of this stately forest green plays on tradition and is said to be the key colour in the autumn and winter season. It invokes a real sense of sophistication, as does the exquisite Tsavorite Garnet with its manifold shades of green. Not to forget the Chrome Tourmaline, an extremely rare variety of the green tourmaline – sparkling in a fresh, radiant apple green.
Chrome tourmaline: Wild Eden – Pantone’19
Mysterious and confident – Pantone Evening Blue
Pantone Evening Blue is as confident and classical as a Blue Sapphire. An air of mystery and elegance accompany the medium dark shades of blue. A description that also fits the Blue Sapphire.
This nutrient-rich green is refreshing and adds splashes of colour to neutral outfits. Like the Peridot, a gemstone rarity known for its seductive, lush green hues and clarity. The peridot is one of the very few gemstones that come in one colour only. And international gemstone lovers agree on the uplifting effect of these hues, which will flatter the complexion of any woman.
Gems and jewellery have always been very important at Baselworld. Constantin Wild has been exhibiting at this major trade show for jewellery and watches for more than 30 years now. Reason enough for the Swiss TV station telebasel to visit the renowned gemstone expert at this year’s Baselworld to discuss his view on gems and jewellery playing an even greater role at the world’s luxury fair.
“Though the overall number of exhibitors has decreased, high-street jewellers continue to present their latest innovations and creations, whilst international gem traders exhibit gems of outstanding quality. As long as the major international jewellery buyers attend Baselworld, the fair will continue to be one of the major hotspots in the worldwide gem and jewel industry”, emphasises Constantin Wild.
With sapphires in the royal colour orange sparkling in cheerful light-hearted colour hues. Their stylish appearance is simply breathtaking. As most sapphires come in blue, orange sapphires are extremely rare and sheer beauties. And as if that weren’t enough, the elegant treasures also match with ‚Living Coral‘ – colour of the year 2019, named by the Pantone Institute, the world’s leading authority on colour.
Jannis Fostieris runs the long established company E.W. Schreiber and sets great store in his creations by sparkling treasures from Idar-Oberstein.
GEM JOURNAL: Tell our readers something about the way your career has developed.
JANNIS FOSTIERIS: Like Constantin, I grew up in our family enterprise, which was founded by my grandfather in 1909. Qualified as a goldsmith, merchant and gemmologist, I now proudly continue the running of the company together with my mother. My home town of Hanau is one of the last places in Germany where traditional goldsmithery still has a fundamental significance. We manufacture individual jewellery for customers from all over the world – with precision and great attention to detail.
Green Edition — The latest issue of the Gem Journal, our exclusive magazine for friends of the company, is dedicated to the world of green gemstones and the balance between Nature and entrepreneurial responsibility. But it is also a declaration of love for the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park and the gemstone town of Idar-Oberstein. The readers will receive some delightful insights into the picturesque landscape and culinary specialities of the Hunsrück. Aptly, the magazine also presents sparkling gemstones in green and shows that a green lifestyle can be luxurious too. “Green is not just most people’s favourite colour”, says managing director Constantin Wild. “It’s also a symbol of harmony. As a family enterprise that is regionally based but acts globally, this accord with our surroundings is very important to us.”
The fourth edition of the Gem Journal stands for international trends and local down-to-earthness. The magazine provides some unusual insights into the company, goes on an exploratory tour in the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, and even takes the reader on an adventure trip to Russia!
Constantin Wild – Gem Journal – The Green Edition – Travelling Idar-Oberstein
Constantin Wild, gemstone dealer from Idar-Oberstein, discusses the importance of Baselworld.
Constantin Wild has been one of Baselworld’s most loyal exhibitors for more than thirty years. In this interview, the gemstone dealer from Idar-Oberstein, Germany, talks about what his company expects from the upcoming show and shares his evaluation of Baselworld’s importance for internationally active gemstone merchants.
Mr Wild, you wrote in your newsletter that you are proud to be present again as an exhibitor at Baselworld in 2019. How important is this trade show for your company?
Constantin Wild: Compared to all the other international trade shows that we participate at, Baselworld enjoys an exceptional position with regard to its audience, its professional visitors, its atmosphere and the quality of its exhibitors. The show has established itself over the years as an important meeting place for the international jewellery scene and it has successfully positioned itself in the luxury brands segment. During the past thirty years of our exhibiting at Baselworld, we were accordingly able to make valuable contacts with high-end jewellery producers, designers and jewellers from around the world. Of course, we hope this will remain so in the future too. Continue reading Baselworld: “Many valuable contacts”→
Gold mines are everywhere in the cityscape of Johannesburg. Naturally enough, we do not see what goes on below the surface; but piled up above it there are enormous table mountains – the waste tips. That always made me curious. I didn’t actually get the opportunity to visit a mine until now, eight years later. At a tourism portal on the Internet I happened on a feature offered by the Cullinan Mine near Pretoria, in which they do guided tours of the mine site and also a visit below ground. My interest was aroused immediately and I duly booked a tour. On a Saturday in November I set off to Pretoria together with a friend, and then on to Cullinan, forty kilometres further east.
Many generations and some 170 years of company history lie dormant in the basement at Constantin Wild’s – in the form of raw gemstones from all parts of the world.
Roughly carpentered crates with handwritten labels, many of which have yellowed with age, are stored in the room which – like the house in the style of the founders – is over 100 years old. Enormous chunks whose outer surface is ochre peer out of a wooden box bearing the inscription ‘Chile-Lapis’. A few feet further over, the radiant pink of massive rose quartzes. The label on another box of stones says ‘Agates for showcase large 1930’. Other boxes are labelled ‘Aventurine’, ‘Jasper various’ or ‘Rhodonite’, and some of them, indeed, are still bound by the metal straps in which they were shipped. No question about it: Constantin’s cellar has a nostalgic charm to it – though it is not a purely ‘historical’ warehouse. Continue reading CONSTANTIN’S CELLAR→
Review of a successful INTERGEM fair in the hometown of gemstones. Known for its unique gemstone art, the fair has been one of the most popular meeting places for international gemstone lovers for over 30 years. Only here has the art of cutting and processing gemstones been practiced for more than five centuries. Be inspired by colourful stones and rare treasures. Idar-Oberstein – always worth a visit.
Insidertipp INTERGEM
Rückblick auf eine erfolgreiche INTERGEM-Messe in der Heimatstadt der Edelsteine. Bekannt für ihre einzigartige Edelsteinkunst, ist die Messe seit über 30 Jahren einer der beliebtesten Treffpunkte internationaler Edelsteinliebhaber. Nur hier wird die Kunst des Edelsteinschleifens und der Verarbeitung seit über fünf Jahrhunderten praktiziert. Lassen Sie sich von farbigen Steinen und seltenen Schätzen inspirieren. Idar-Oberstein – immer eine Reise wert.
The Baselworld 2019 this coming Spring is a fixed date in Constantin Wild´s Trade Fair calendar. The well-known dealer in gemstones has been part of this major trade show for jewellery and watches for the last 30 years. Then traditionally, watches, jewellery and gems belong together. In the forseeable future, gemstones will play an even greater role in Basel. Over the years, Baselworld has established itself as a meeting point for the international jewellery scene and has developed from a pure ordering event to an event platform. Gemstones are currently more in demand than ever before. „I am pleased to say, that the immense importance hereof is mirrored in the trade fair communications“, states Constantin Wild, who manages the company bearing his name in the 10th generation.
World Trade Fair for watches, jewellery and gemstones: Constantin Wild in a dialogue at the Baselworld Trade Fair
No jewellery without a gem When expensive watches and designer jewellery meet, the basic ingredient obviously has to be there too: top-quality gemstones. The best known brands, the most renowned buyers and the most influential media will be coming together. Sales are traditionally excellent in the environment of the big brands. „We appreciate the new concept with its stronger focus on innovation and digital communication“, Wild emphasises. Continue reading Constantin Wild – Proud to be at Baselworld 2019→
Speaking of Germany, what’s the first thing that comes into your mind? Many of us may immediately think of football, automobile or beer. But The Value team is going to show you something that Germans are also passionate about – gemstones and jewels. …
“In this world we don’t possess anything for all eternity. All the wealth we have is only on loan”. That’s what Constantin Wild believes. As part of the theme day on ‘wealth’, the gemstone merchant takes the TV channel Saarländischer Rundfunk to his gemstone mine in Nunkirchen and talks about the ‘wealth of stones’ the Hunsrück boasted until the 1970s.
The programme shows why the exciting part of a raw stone is hidden away on its inside, how the best is brought out of gemstones in the cutting shop, and why Constantin Wild has the most beautiful profession in the world. When you see those delightful landscapes you quickly realise that wealth is a fitting description for the Hunsrück National Park too. For natural diversity is particularly pronounced in the extensive woodlands around Nunkirchen. And the aesthetic beauty of a rare gemstone reflects that in a fascinating and original form. Continue reading ‘Wealth of stones’ in the Hunsrück – TV channel SR at Constantin Wild’s gemstone mine→
For thousands of years, the Hunsrück have been home to hidden mineral resources. These include precious metals such as copper and iron – and coloured gemstones too. A programme in the SWR series ‘Spuren im Stein – Der Hunsrück‘ (‘Traces in the Stone’) revealed the geological peculiarities of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. On the premises of Constantin Wild, SWR has taken a very close look, examining in detail the process from the raw stone to the final cut. Watch the programme in the SWR-Mediathek at YouTube.
Coloured gemstones waiting for the final touch @ Constantin Wild
At the beginning of March Constantin Wild opened up his treasure chamber to two editresses from the on-line channel ZDF Info. During this look behind the scenes, the focus was on master cutter Gernot Weber. What does it take to make a good gemstone cutter?
What steps does the finishing process entail? And what matters when it comes to the perfect cut? You’ll be able to experience these and other highlights featuring individual gemstones as from Saturday 31 March, 4:30 PM CET at facebook.com/ZDFinfo “Schätze der Erde”andtwitter.com/ZDFinfo. During the shooting, we looked over Gernot Weber’s shoulder while he worked. You can view the ‘making of’ behind the programme here:ZDF Info zu Besuch bei Constantin Wild
Anfang März öffnete Constantin Wild seine Schatzkammer für zwei Redakteurinnen des Onlinesenders ZDF Info. Beim Blick hinter die Kulissen stand Schleifermeister Gernot Weber im Fokus: Was macht einen guten Edelsteinschleifer aus? Welche Schritte gibt es im Veredelungsprozess? Und worauf kommt es beim perfekten Schliff an? Diese und weitere Highlights über einzelne Edelsteine erfahren Sie ab Samstag, 31. März, 16.30 Uhr unter facebook.com/ZDFinfo “Schätze der Erde”und twitter.com/ZDFinfo. Wir haben bei den Dreharbeiten über die Schulter geschaut. Das „Making of“ zum Beitrag sehen Sie oben.
The return of the gemstone collection of my grandfather Wilhelm Constantin Wild to Idar-Oberstein last year was an occurrence I found especially moving. Do you remember? In September a Pakistani fisherman found the leather coffer dating from the mid-20th century in a bag together with some other gemstones in the North Indian Ocean near Karachi. What moved me was not only his decision to send the collection back to Germany – but also the touching gesture he made in replacing the missing tiger’s eye with a pearl.
Gemstone box with Wilhelm Constantin Wild and the pearl replacing the missing tiger eye
Exclusive exhibit at international trade fairs 2018
It’s out and on line – ‘THE FANTASY GIFT EDITION’ of my premium magazine GEM JOURNAL. On this occasion, I’m going to take you on a high-carat journey from New York straight to Idar-Oberstein. Learn how two American ladies came to create the perfect locket in my gemstone workshop. Learn about the fascination of paraiba tourmalines. And discover the beauty and sophisticated luxury lifestyle of my homeland.
Simply scroll down and click the online magazine to start reading.
Self-gifting is a trend that is becoming more and more popular, both in the United States and in Germany. But giving oneself a present – isn’t that a bit crazy? Not at all, say the motivation researchers. People who reward themselves with a gift are giving their soul a wellness break. Nothing motivates people more than recognition and esteem. But it’s also important to have a positive image of oneself and acknowledge one’s own achievements. So even if we Germans do usually find it rather difficult: give yourself a pat on the back. Regularly!
Look how clever self-gifting can be: exclusive gemstones bring moments of happiness and enduring values. (back: green Tsavorit, round back left: red Rubellite, round back right: orange Mandarin garnet, round center left: blue Tanzanite, oval center right: green Tourmaline, rectangle front: turquoise Paraiba-Tourmaline, oval)
In memory of the American singer Prince, the Pantone Color Institute has developed the new colour ‘Love Symbol #2’. With this lush purple tone, the institute posthumously honours the artist who achieved one of his greatest hits with ‘Purple Rain’ in 1984. Since then, violet has been inseparably associated with the musician, glamourous and passionate as he was. “The color purple was synonymous with who Prince was and will always be”, said Troy Carter, entertainment adviser to Prince’ estate.
Constantin Wild – purple sapphire ‘purple-rain’ – cushion cut
Fans of this unforgettable musician can now rejoice: the gemstone purple sapphire brings out the shine in this new Pantone hue in an impressive way. Having said that, anyone wishing to acquire one is going to have to dig fairly deep into his pocket, as this stone – just like the pop legend of whom it reminds us – is a genuine rarity.
Sapphires are regarded as exquisite gemstones with many colour variants from sky blue to deep dark blue. The purple sapphire is a particularly rare variety. Many people have never even heard of this stone. Each purple sapphire is unique and much coveted, not only among collectors.
It’s like something out of a fairy tale: at the end of September a Pakistani fisherman pulled a collection of 29 gemstones, some 80 years old, out of the Indian Ocean. Thanks to the imprint of a company stamp he was able to identify Wilhelm Constantin Wild of Idar-Oberstein as the original owner. The fisherman decided that the gemstone collection, being part of family history, should make its way back to Germany. He also thought it would be a nice token of friendship between Muslims and Germans. Being an upright man, he waived his right to a finder’s reward. In a particularly touching gesture, he said he would like to fill the empty compartment with some pearls, making the family a present of them in lieu of the tiger’s eye which was now missing from the collection. Continue reading Gemstone collection from Indian Ocean back in Idar-Oberstein→
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