By Kim Se-jeong
Garnet itself may not outshine other gems, but Bohemian garnet, a dark gemstone, deserves special attention.
Mined in Bohemia — now part of the Czech Republic — and cut by local jewelers, the gem has been coveted by people throughout Europe for centuries.
Last week, for the first time in Korea, the Czech Embassy in Seoul, together with the World Jewelry Museum, unveiled a collection of the garnet necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches from the 19th century.
During the Baroque era, however, garnet was found in tableware, dishes and writing sets. Garnet jewelry established its recognition from the 19th century.
At one point, it even carried political significance, worn by aristocrats and leaders of society. After World War II, the industry was nationalized, and gave birth to the Granat Art Cooperative, a union of small jewelry businesses tasked with maintaining manufacturing traditions.
The exhibition features five world-renowned contemporary Czech jewelry designers, who seem inclined to experiment with their work.
One designer, Petr Dvorak, has molded garnet and glass — another item the Czech Republic is known for — producing exotic colored beads for necklaces.
The other designers are Svatopluk Kasaly, Eva Eisler, Pavel Opocensky and Stanislav Grebenickova.
The exhibition will remain open until the end of the year. For more information, visit the website: www.wjmuseum.com