Bohemian Treasures: Bohemian Garnet, Czech Moldavite, Decorative Fluorite
Bohemian Garnet
The popularity of Garnet peaked in the Bohemian region during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II. In the late 16th century, Rudolf sought to monopolize the Garnet industry by establishing the imperial mill in Prague and claiming all of the rights to purchase any gem from the mines. Because of this, Garnet stones and mining practices played a significant role in local economy and trade that we can still look back on and see today. Garnet stones are found in gravel derived from the decomposition of serpentine rock. Their unique color (red with a violet tint) derives from traces of chromium and manganese in the hills of Bohemia. With the stones being a popular gift in the Bohemia region due to them often being exchanged as a token of affection and commitment, Garnet became the national stone and mineralogical symbol of the Bohemian Kingdom. While there was a huge market for Stones regardless of someone’s class, nobility, and royals still favored these stones above all else; Garnets were often used in crowns, scepters, and other regal ornaments. In Czech folklore, garnet is even known as ‘the stone of Kings’; this title dates back to the Saxons and Celtic who favored Garnet in their jewel settings because of its supposed protection in the folklore.
Today the Czech Republic remains the primary source for Garnets. However, the natural resources of Bohemian Garnets are gradually drying up. Old jewelry with Bohemian Garnets has become highly sought after; preserved pieces are often reworked into new modernized pieces. Garnet today in the Czech region is not just for jewelry but other areas in the decorative arts (fashion and decor) making it the most popular thing for people to grab when visiting.
the Sroda Treasure Crown
This collection of jewels is housed in the National Museum of Wrocław for part of the year and the other, in their regional museum in Poland, Środa Śląska. The crown belonged to Czech Queens and nobility. It is believed that the crown’s last owner was the first wife of Charles IV, Blanka de Valois. The crown’s creation dates back to the 14th Century and consists of garnets, aquamarine, tektites and moldavite pieces, as well as pearls.
Czech Moldavite
14.8 Million years ago a meteorite crashed in what is now the Bohemian Plateau, Massif, which operated from Bohemia to Moravia. In 1836, scientists gave the stone the name ‘Moldavite’ after a major source near Molda was found, the location today is known as the Vltava river. Moldavite itself is typically colored in green hues and is the only stone that consistency wise is a natural made glass. This would be why Moldavite is typically referred to as a tektite, meaning it is formed by the melting and cooling of silica sand or rock ejected into the atmosphere after meteorite impact.
Moldavite continues to be mainly found and sourced directly from the Czech Republic today. Interestingly enough, in South Bohemia, Moldavite is known as the stone of love and continues to be a customary gift from men to their soon-to-be brides. This isn’t the only time moldavite was used ceremonially; jewelry made from Moldavite has been found in archaeological sites in Central Europe, indicating its use in ancient cultures for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
View Tekities in the Czech Republic
This photo comes from the National Gallery in Prague from the Hall of Luminescence Collection. Genuine green Moldavite is very luminous. Again, Moldavite is also classified as a tektite which just means it is a gemstone made by meteorite impact on Earth; because of this classification, Older generations will often joke with children that the reason they are green and can glow is because extraterrestrial space gems that fell from the sky and into the mortal realm after a battle between Lucifer and Archangel Michael in the heavens.
Decorative Fluorite
Fluorite minded today in the Czech Republic is used to produce certain glasses and enamel. The stone is famous for its fluorescence under Ultraviolet (UV) light and comes in many color hues: Green, Blue, Purple, and even Yellow. Pigments and slabs of fluorite are found is famous paintings and sculptures today in collections all around the world. Most notably, during the Art Nouveau period, czech fluorite became so popular in jewelry and the decorative arts industry that it went on to influence other design trends and artistic movements in Central Europe.
Fluorite is found in Bohemian caves in the towns of Krupka, Jachymov, Pribram, Harrachov, and Horni Slavkov. Krupka caves alone were said to be guarded by ‘mythical creatures’ or ‘mountain spirits’ because of the coloriful mystical walls, adding an element of mystery to the Bohemian lands. Due to the look and folklore of how these caves looked visually, there’s a traditional Czech folklore story that basically states fluorite hues specifically could ward off evil spirits and external negative energies. Today around the globe, crystal go-ers typically have an abundance of fluorite in their collection with reasons stemming from this Czech folk tale.
Fluorite remains a part of Czech heritage, symbolizing the country’s rich geological resources and industrial history. Production companies today in the Czech region use fluorite’s ability to lower the melting point of metals which means use for this stone isn’t only for the aesthetic. Jewelry craftsmen use Czech fluorite in modern settings, highlighting its translucent quality and color variations.
‘The Virgin and Child’ by artist Michael Pacher
This artwork hangs in the National Gallery of London. In this piece, Pacher uses ground-up purple fluorite in his palette to color and create the painted grand-esque architecture and canopies. Many artists in England and Central Europe from the late medieval era to the early 17th century would grind up colorful pigments on fluorite for their art.
FUN FACTS
FUN FACTS
History of Czech Mining Towns
SIMPLE STONES TO WORKS OF ART
THE COLLECTION: MINING FOR STONES
Garnets are likely to be found, such as in river sands or rock formations. When found and the land is surveyed, it is cleared, and any overlying material is removed to expose the garnet. If by chance, garnet deposits are deep underground, miners may use tunnelling methods to reach the garnet-rich layers. This method involves drilling, blasting, and transporting the garnet-containing material to the surface. In some cases, water jets wash garnet-rich sands into sluices where the garnet can be separated from lighter materials. The material gathered by miners by their method of extraction is then crushed and sorted to separate the garnet from other rocks and sand. This process is done with screen sifters. After sifting, the found stones are cleaned and purified to remove any remaining impurities by dipping the sifter below water. Any cleaned garnet recovered is dried, packaged, and sent to buyers for use, like sandpaper or jewelry. After mining, the land is restored to its natural state as much as possible. This restoration is one of the most important parts of the mining process for stones because it ensures the environment and its diverse population aren’t interrupted or destroyed.
Moldavite is usually found in areas where ancient meteorites struck the Earth. Miners look for these specific locations, often in sandy or gravel-rich soils. The top layer of soil is carefully dug up from below the surface to reach the moldavite. Any dug-up soil is sifted through screens to separate the moldavite from the dirt. The material is then washed with water to reveal the moldavite stones. The moldavite pieces are collected and sorted by size and quality. It is typically the larger, clearer pieces that have a larger value and are more expensive because they’re so rare to come across. Sorted moldavite is sometimes polished and packaged for sale, either as raw stones or for use in jewellery. The area post-mining is typically restored by filling in holes and replanting vegetation.
Geologists, surveyors, and gem miners identify areas rich in fluorite, often found in veins or deposits in rocks. Miners carefully extract the rock containing fluorite from the earth using tools, machinery, or controlled explosions. The extracted rock is crushed to break it down and release the fluorite crystals. The crushed material is sorted and washed to separate the fluorite from other minerals and debris. The crushed material is washed and passed through sifting screens to separate the fluorite from other minerals. Gravity separation, flotation, or other methods may further purify the fluorite. The fluorite is sorted by size, colour, and quality. Higher-quality fluorite might be used for gemstones, while lower-quality fluorite is used in industrial applications. After mining, the site is rehabilitated, with efforts made to return the land to its natural state this includes filling in holes, replanting vegetation, and monitoring the area to ensure environmental recovery.
The Process: From Mines to Jewelry
Gemstones are typically mined from the earth through techniques like open-pit mining, underground mining, or alluvial mining. The choice of method depends on the location and depth of the gem deposit. The gemstones discussed in this collection are found in different locations and using different mining techniques. Garnets are found in drainages and gullies; moldavite or tektites are found in strewn fields in the ground; and fluorite is mined in caves and extracted from the inner walls.
Once extracted, the raw gems are sorted and washed to remove dirt and debris. Washing any stones and debris is done by sifting. Very much like a sifter you see in baking in the kitchen, but this is with debris and dirt. With what you're left with after sifting the stones above water and in water, you get a better idea of what product you’ll be working with. The mined stones are sorted based on size, shape, and quality. Stones are graded according to colour, clarity, carat weight, and cut potential. High-quality stones are separated from lower-grade ones. Next, the rough stones are pre-shaped using a saw or a laser to remove excess material and define the basic shape. The process varies in time depending on the delicacy of the mineral or stone and on what type of setting the stone is being cut down to fit. Depending on the gem type, the stone is faceted (cut with flat surfaces) or shaped into a cabochon (a polished, rounded stone with no flat surfaces). Faceting stones enhance the brilliance, while cabochons are often used for opaque stones. Afterward, the stone is polished to enhance its shine and reveal its color and brilliance.
Jewelry-making is a complex topic that deserves to be written in detail. For this reason, I will just be talking about stone settings within the jewelry pieces. The polished gemstone is carefully set into the metal piece using techniques like prong setting, bezel setting, or pave setting. The jewellery is polished, and any final details, such as engraving or additional stones, are added. This process transforms raw gemstones into beautiful, wearable pieces of art.
Books on Gemstones and Jewelry
Read about Gemstones, their meanings, their jewelry journey, and why people wear them.
Written and Collection by Jacqueline Nicole Denson
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