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gem news, press echo, videos

ZDF Info visits 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” and twitter.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.

 

gem news

Gemstone collection from Indian Ocean sets off on second world tour

Wilhelm Constantin Wild
Wilhelm Constantin Wild (1866 – 1956)

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

Continue reading Gemstone collection from Indian Ocean sets off on second world tour →

gem news

Christmas 2017 – Why you should give yourself a present too

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!

Constantin Wild - Fine Gemstones - Tsavorite garnet, Rubellite, Mandarin garnet, tanzanite, green tourmaline, Paraiba tourmaline
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)

Continue reading Christmas 2017 – Why you should give yourself a present too →

gem news, lifestyle

A purple sapphire brings out the shine

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
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.

gem news

Gemstone collection from Indian Ocean back in Idar-Oberstein

Wilhelm Constantin Wild
Wilhelm Constantin Wild (1866 – 1956)

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 →

gem news

Five exciting days with Pomellato

How can you put any kind of topping on an unconventional style when extravagance has been at the core of a brand for 50 years? This was the task facing Pomellato’s Creative Director Vincenco Castaldo when he began searching for an idea for the Pomellato Jubilee Collection. He found what he was looking for in the versatile world of coloured gemstones: with 50 really unusual stones, Pomellato will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the company this year, and with it, the beauty of Nature. As his partner in this lavish project, Vincenco Castaldo chose Constantin Wild of Idar-Oberstein, because in a unique way, we as a gemstone manufacturer full of tradition offer the whole spectrum of the fascination of gemstones, from the raw stone to final production, under a single roof.

Creative work in the basement of Constantin Wild
Creative work in the basement of Constantin Wild

Continue reading Five exciting days with Pomellato →

gem news

My family’s antique gemstone collection was found in Indian Ocean! Stay tuned!

When I received a mail on Friday 22 September, I could hardly believe it: In the Indian Ocean, not far off the coast of Pakistan at Karachi, a fisherman made an unexpected find: a collection of 29 valuable gemstones, wrapped up in a little leather book!

Old fishing boat, India © shutterstock, Ellya
Old fishing boat, India © shutterstock, Ellya

And guess what, the origin of the collection was soon determined: My hometown Idar-Oberstein, also known as the most important gemstone centre worldwide. Or to be more precise, the stones belonged to my grandfather, the late Wilhelm Constantin Wild, founder of our family company! Continue reading My family’s antique gemstone collection was found in Indian Ocean! Stay tuned! →

gem news, lifestyle

Aquamarine shines out in Fall 2017

‘Marina’ and ‘Bluebell’ are among the blue tones in the current Pantone Fashion Color Report for autumn / winter 2017. They fit in perfectly with the colour spectrum of the aquamarine, which, on account of its sparkling lustre in the colours of the sea, is regarded as the “world’s favourite stone”. For the first time, the report by Pantone identifies two colour ranges for the autumn, oriented toward the New York and London Fashion Weeks. Whilst New York chose a bold, radiant blue in ‘Marina’, London made a somewhat more cautious choice in the delicate ‘Bluebell’.

Constantin Wild - Aquamarines - BlueBelle & Marina
Constantin Wild – Aquamarines – BlueBelle & Marina

Come visit Constantin Wild at INTERGEM in Idar-Oberstein 30. Sept. – 03. Oct. Hall 1 Stand 101 

Continue reading Aquamarine shines out in Fall 2017 →

gem news

Then as now: the force of Nature

The world of gemstones is in a continuous process of modernisation, but Constantin Wild still puts his trust in hydropower for the processing of his precious gemstones today.

Water is the origin of everything. Especially as it relates to the success story of Idar-Oberstein. For when large agate deposits were found in the Hunsrück in the 15th century, the power of the water in the Idar stream was the only thing that enabled the big grinding wheels to be set in motion so that the raw stones, still grey and matt as they were, could be transformed into sparkling treasures. More and more cutting shops rapidly emerged – and with them, a flourishing industry.

Continue reading Then as now: the force of Nature →

gem news

More than just red and blue: fancy sapphires

Rubies and sapphires are amongst the world’s most precious gemstones. Their fiery reds and radiant blues are unmistakable. Less well known are the facts that both these stones are members of the corundum family, and that this family has much more to offer than just red and blue.

The corundum family, in fact, has everything you could want in a valuable gemstone: gorgeous colours, great brilliance, and an excellent hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, putting it right behind the diamond – our hardest natural mineral – and that means it has excellent wearing properties. Its refraction is unusually high too, as evidenced by the wonderful brilliance of perfectly cut specimens. Experienced cutters know that the colour looks markedly more intense when the stone is viewed from one angle than it does when viewed from another.

fancy sapphires @constantinwild.gems
fancy sapphires @constantinwild.gems

Continue reading More than just red and blue: fancy sapphires →

gem news

Greenery summer 2017: peridot

After they had led a rather shadowy existence, the reputation of peridots gradually began to change: in the high mountains of Pakistan, at an altitude of over 4000 metres, some very fine, brilliant gold-green crystals were discovered. Today, the peridot is among the most coveted coloured gemstones worldwide. Its seductive, lush green hues and clarity have made it a strong competitor of the tourmaline and the emerald. The peridot is one of the very few gemstones which come in one colour only. This stone displays the most beautiful green tones of the summer: its range includes olive shades, the famous gold-green of the stones from Pakistan, a clear yellow green, a light lime green and the bluish green typical of stones from Burma. Very small but beautiful yellow-green stones come from China. And the best thing about this gemstone is that its colour will flatter the complexion of any woman! However, these fantastic stones do have one major disadvantage: all of them are very rare. Fortunately, I have a few remarkable peridots in my treasure chamber.

Sparkling greetings,
Constantin Wild

 

greenery - peridot
greenery – peridot
gem news, show time

Constantin Wild meets Katerina Perez

Insider Katerina Perez is a specialist with professional knowledge and insight as regards the jewellery industry. On her website, she reports on the most recent trends in the gemstone and jewellery trade. When I met her a few weeks ago in Basel, we found a number of things to talk about right away. But one thing that always remained in focus was the fascinating world of gemstones. As for the interview, in which I talk about my family, the love I have for my profession and my ongoing quest for treasures on behalf of my customers, you can read it here at katerinaperez.com

Sparkling greetings,
Constantin Wild

Katerina Perez @constantinwild.gems
Katerina Perez @constantinwild.gems

 

press echo, show time, videos

Auf der Spur der Steine in Idar-Oberstein

TV-Reportage „Auf der Spur der Steine“: Constantin Wild zeigt sein Idar-Oberstein.

Jetzt in der ARD Mediathek (stream) 

SWR-Reporter Jens Hübschen entführt Sie in die farbige Edelsteinwelt von Idar-Oberstein, im felsigen Naheland. Was das mit Überraschungseiern und Mandeln zu tun hat, erfahren Sie in der Dokumentation.

Ich sage es ja schon immer: Idar-Oberstein ist eine der schönsten Orte in Deutschland. Dies gilt besonders für Edelsteinfans. Schließlich ist meine Heimat die Wiege der Edelsteinindustrie. Auf eine spannende Spurensuche begab sich kürzlich auch ein Team des deutschen Fernsehsenders SWR. Die Faszination begann vor Jahrhunderten und hält an. Damals wurden die ersten Achate in Felsen aus Vulkangestein gefunden. Rasch siedelten sich die besten Edelsteinschleifer und Goldschmiede an. Und auch heute noch begeistert der Mythos der Edelsteine. Doch wie ist das möglich? In der Dokumentation öffne ich die Türen meiner Schatzkammer und plaudere ein wenig über meine faszinierende Welt der Edelsteine – und mein geliebtes Idar-Oberstein.

Auf der Spur der Steine in Idar-Oberstein
Auf der Spur der Steine in Idar-Oberstein – SWR

Continue reading Auf der Spur der Steine in Idar-Oberstein →

gem news, press echo

And the winner is: coloured gemstone supplier of the year 2017

Gems trust Wild! The readers of the prestigious ‘Diamantbericht’ know that too. I’m delighted to have been chosen as coloured gemstone supplier of the year for the second time in a row.

Constantin Wild - coloured gemstone supplier of the year 2017
Constantin Wild – coloured gemstone supplier of the year 2017

Particularly in my line of business, and in today’s times, fairness and transparency are more important than ever before. So at Constantin Wild, we put our trust in long-term relationships and a family rapport with all our partners. And what’s more: I am still personally acquainted with every single one of my stones. I know their first names and their life stories. This award from the ‘Diamantbericht’ shows that we’re on the right road. … Continue reading And the winner is: coloured gemstone supplier of the year 2017 →

gem news

Enchanté: the savoir-vivre edition of the Gem Journal 2017

Hot off the press: the ‘savoir-vivre’ edition of the Gem Journal.

May I invite you on a fascinating journey this time too? What city embodies that feeling of luxury better than Paris, the ‘capital of haute-joaillerie’? Yet even the most magnificent item of jewellery needs a perfectly cut stone: so what a good thing Idar-Oberstein is not far away. Quite apart from which it’s possible to live a life of luxury in my home town too. In my magazine, you can find out plenty of things worth knowing about Franco-German gemstone history. And you’ll also see that my chamber contains some sparkling treasures in the colours of the tricolore …

Constantin wild - The savoir-vivre edition of the Gem Journal 2017
Constantin wild – The savoir-vivre edition of the Gem Journal 2017

It only remains for me to wish you a good browse and read!

Read our last issues online here

gem news, press echo

Heralds of spring – greenery

Whilst Mother Nature keeps us waiting, the world of fashion has long chosen its favourite green of the 2017 season: Greenery from the House of Pantone.

I had a chat with Jewellery News Asia (JNA) on the subject of green gemstones.

Jewellery News Asia: What are some of your fine green gemstones that you’ll be showcasing this year?

Constantin Wild: This year I have chosen four stones: first, the green demantoid from Russia, which is globally unique thanks to its needle-shaped, so-called ‘horsetail’ inclusions. Second, the chrome tourmaline from Africa, a rare variety of green tourmaline with a captivatingly intense green colour. Third, the tsavorite garnet with its manifold shades of green. And last but not least the peridot from Pakistan with its convincing size and its colour, which matches the Pantone shade ‘Greenery’. According to Pantone’s Fashion Color Report Spring 2017, ‘Greenery’ is one of this season’s on-trend colours.

JNA: What is it about green gemstones that appeal to people? Continue reading Heralds of spring – greenery →

gem news

Season’s Greetings from underneath!

Last year, we were aiming high; this year, in return, we went underground. 🙂

The little town of Traben-Trarbach straddles the river Mosel. Before the outbreak of World War One, it had been the most important trading center for wine – even more significant than Bordeaux. The traces are still visible in the fact that half the town has been hollowed out underneath giving space to huge wine vaults; one of which is the so-called „Vinopolis“. It may be used for a variety of events, among other things, for our own Christmas party! … Continue reading Season’s Greetings from underneath! →