The Stone of Optimism

Striped flint is becoming Polish export merchandise. Jewelry made from the striped flint is now a Polish hallmark. It has appeared in the collections of the best recognized designers; the largest jewelry companies in the country now include it in their offer.

Striped flint can only be found in the Holy Cross Mountains (Góry Świętokrzyskie) in Poland. It is distinguished by the most beautiful and unique patterns. These patterns, when combined with the possibility of achieving a mirror-like luster, make the striped flint a valuable and eagerly sought-after resource on the jewelry market.

Precursor of Flint

The first artist to introduce striped flint in his jewelry was Cezary Łutowicz. In 1972, the first pieces of jewelry using this stone were created and flint turned out to be an excellent stone for making jewelry. Flint is very rare; it is decorative and extremely hard – it reaches up to the level of 6.7-7 on Mohs’ 10-level hardness scale, where 10 is the hardness of diamond. Cezary Łutowicz participated in several group and individual exhibitions, for example, in Vienna, Munich and Brussels. His creations became an inspiration for many artists and striped flint jewelry can now be found in jewelry stores and art galleries showing artisan jewelry in Poland and abroad.

The works of the master jeweler delighted with their individuality and were the object of interest of not only women but also the press and television. Jewelry made from striped flint is very popular among customers. As experts point out, flint jewelry is distinguished by its elegance – its gray color perfectly matches almost any fashion design.

Gold smith's Art Collection

In the year 2000, goldsmith workshops titled "Striped flint – the stone of optimism" were organized for the first time in Sandomierz aiming to promote striped flint as the Polish raw material native only to Sandomierz and to create a unique museum collection of striped flint used in jewelry and objects of art. Through the workshops, the Sandomierz Regional Museum has acquired more than two hundred works of recognized artists for permanent display. It is the only such collection in the world. The Sandomierz collection is an open and very diverse exhibition. There, you will find examples of classic jewelry as well as small sculptures, objects and installations.

Modern amber

Polish jewelry is mainly associated with amber and silver. It is not surprising that the "Polish national treasure" wins the hearts of not only Polish women but also women looking for unique jewelry all over the world. Therefore, manufacturers and designers of amber jewelry are striving to surprise their customers and also offer them unusual forms of jewelry, designed to meet the requirements of discerning customers.

Tradition and fashion

Until recently, amber jewelry was primarily associated with necklaces and bracelets. But designers and manufacturers were quick to note that both Polish and foreign guests want to it to be not only beautiful but also unique. Amber artisans came forward to meet the expectations of customers and began to create jewelry that met the requirements of almost all customers. Amber studios started selling short series or single specimens of jewelry. The design of amber jewelry started to develop and has been experiencing a dynamic development. There are numerous companies on the Polish market that specialize in creating jewelry made of the "Polish national treasure." Amber designers are very sensitive to market needs, quickly adapting their collections to the current market trends and thus to the expectations of the contemporary customer.

Any trend change among the customers of jewelry showrooms is reflected in the subsequent collections of amber jewelry. We must not forget, however, that amber artisans besides adapting their products to meet the expectations of discriminating customers also attempt to create fashion themselves and to break the stereotypes associated with amber. The new collections of large companies specializing in the production of amber jewelry now include jewelry combining amber with gold, striped flint, turquoise, coral and pearls. Amber artisans have abandoned the previously almost inseparable combinations of amber and silver. With their innovative designs, the creators of amber jewelry strive to surprise their customers and make the amber became a fashion accessory. Nearly every company on the Polish market is trying to introduce their own original solutions; thus they opt for interesting combinations of amber and precious and semiprecious stones. The task that these artisans establish for themselves is to create unstructured and unique work of art.

Collections of the companies involved in amber processing include numerous kinds of pendants, beads and charms which have been bestsellers recently. Polish artists and jewelry manufacturers turned out to be the precursors of style;  they were able to make their original designs recognized all over the world.

Silver and more

When creating amber jewelry, the Polish designers primarily focus on silver. Silver is inseparably associated with amber, and thanks to silver, artists creating in metal bring out the natural beauty of the Baltic treasure. In the studios of Polish masters, a unique silver jewelry is being created, "tailored to" modern women. Some designers create their jewelry using gold. Designers also attempt to use white gold, which perfectly matches amber and does not break with the traditional perception of amber jewelry. Moreover, it is worth noting that the Polish market also offers amber jewelry combined with wood or even plastic. Wooden jewelry including amber is very popular – it is not only aligned with the latest environmental trends but it also emphasizes the aesthetic qualities of amber. Amber is also freely combined with leather, silk, wood and cotton rope. Amber beads and necklaces are often comingled with semi-precious stones (turquoise), pearls, crystal, gilt silver, ebony and red reef coral. Amber has come into the fashion; amber jewelry is often presented in fashion shows and celebrities are happy to wear it – perhaps because it is so universally applicable. The current clear trend is to move away from the previous homogeneous image of amber jewelry: a traditional, typically oval cabochon in a silver frame. Nowadays, a clear distinction is emerging between a commercial jewelry – by definition a low-cost made using a simple technology – and the artisan jewelry made by its creator: the jewelry that enjoys the best recognition and which must wait for its buyer.

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POLSKI JUBILER NUMERY 2013 01/2013
POLSKI JUBILER DZIAŁY JEWELER MARKET (ENG)