gems, agate, Germany.12, Idar-Oberstein, history.1, lapidary, fashioning.9, gem carving, Dreher

Weldon, Jonathan and Tozer examine the Dreher family’s gem carving within the long lapidary tradition of Idar-Oberstein. They describe the training and work of Gerd and Patrick Dreher, whose family has worked with gem materials for 13 generations. The article explains how observation of animals, careful selection of rough, natural colour zoning, and specialized tools allow the carvers to produce detailed, lifelike figures from agate and single crystals of gem minerals. Historical context connects their work with the region’s agate deposits, water-powered grinding and later changes in raw-material supply and equipment.