Precious stones from the Bohemian Paradise

The brothers Jan and Václav Fišers from Turnov. Their alleged voyage to Venice, five years of efforts to seize the local secret of secrecy, return to Turnov, dozens of wasted attempts and then - finally success! In 1711 they made the first glass for the production of artificial stones.

THE GLASSHOUSE IN NOVÝ SVĚT

It was in 1712, when Elias Müller built his glassworks on the estate of the Harrach Counts in Jilemnice. It continued in the traditional production of glass, which was produced on the border of the Giant Mountains and the Jizera Mountains in the middle of the 14th century. Even today, you can see not only metallurgical production and blowing glass, but also a hundred-year-old grinding shop. It is driven by a water turbine and transmissions used to distribute the driving force.

ELIAS PALME

Elias Palme, one of the most famous luminaire manufacturers, continued the tradition of chandeliers in Kamenický Šenov. Industrial production of chandeliers was started in 1724 by Josef Palme in Prácheň.

ELDORADO OF BEADS AND SEED BEADS

Surely you would not find in the whole Principle and in the broad surroundings of a person who would say a crooked word about Jan Šourek. After all, it was as if he had come to the Principle of Prosperity and Welfare. As soon as he took possession of the reeve, life in the village began to turn for the better. He was one of the first to venture into the world for business.

JOSEF RIEDEL

Josef Riedel, king of the Jizera Mountains glassmakers, was born in Hejnice in 1816. He was the representative of the sixth generation of the glass family and imprinted his footprint indelibly on the slopes of the Jizera Mountains.

FRIEDRICH EGERMANN

JOSEF PFEIFFER

Josef Pfeiffer - Jablonec entrepreneur and mayor, who was involved in the development of jewelery exports. Everything is confirmed at the imperial court and in 1866 Jablonec became a town during his reign.

BLOWN BEAD and its way to the tree

People can make sense of time and numbers, but not us, beads. However, I have heard that they have been blowing me in the mountains for more than a hundred years. As a bead would put it, that is a long time. You, who have never seen how a bead is born, you don´t know how beautiful life can be....

MELTED GLASS SCULPTURE

In 1920 the first Czech glass school was founded in Železný Brod, thanks to which the town became a center of glass art.

Mapa

GRANÁT TURNOV Opens Its Workshops: Discover the History of Czech Garnet

Few jewellery manufacturers can trace their product’s journey from the mining of the gemstone right through to its setting in the finished piece. GRANÁT TURNOV is one of those exceptional companies.

GRANÁT TURNOV has been specialising in the processing of Czech garnet since 1953. What makes the co-operative so special is that the entire story of a piece of jewellery begins right at the mining stage. The company owns mines in Podsedice and Dolní Olešnice and is involved in the entire process, from extracting the stone to the final goldsmithing.

Behind every piece of jewellery lies the work of many experts, from geologists and gem cutters to experienced goldsmiths. It is precisely their skill and experience that visitors will be able to experience up close during the open day.

Czech garnet is renowned for its rich, dark red colour. Although individual stones are often only a few millimetres in size, together they create the unmistakable look of traditional Czech jewellery.

In Turnov, this craft has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to combine traditional techniques with contemporary design to this day.

On Saturday 17 October 2026, areas that are normally off-limits to the public will be opened to visitors.

The programme will feature:

guided tours of the production facilities,

demonstrations of goldsmiths’ handiwork,

lectures on Czech garnet mining,

the exhibition ‘Czech Garnet in the Heart… and Far from Home’,

a presentation of new collections,

and a creative programme for children.

More information and bookings HERE

The Czech garnet is one of the most distinctive symbols of Czech jewellery-making. During the Open Day at GRANÁT TURNOV, as part of Crystal Valley Weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at the production facilities and discover the journey of this unique gemstone from the Czech countryside to the finished piece of jewellery.

10.9.2026