About
Hello, I’m Tom, a german gemstone carver. I work with Jade and other gemstones and my mission is to create unique and authentic works of art. To complete or complement my works, I often use other materials like wood, metals or even epoxy resin, just enjoying the materialisation of my visions.
My designs derive from influences and inspirations coming from the natural world around me, the culture that I live and grew up in as well as other cultures that I had the chance to experience of for a time.
Upcoming
I have been an artist ever since. In the beginning it was trial and error, experimenting with materials and exploring forms of expression in general. Graffiti, Martial Arts and Philosophy accompanied me through my youth and early adulthood and left their traces on what you could call my style. A rebel in the sense of what I can or can’t do, the extraordinary things always draw my attention. Connecting one to another, being versatile, creating the unforseen.
Life is an adventure. Something that always impacts me is the discovery of the unexpected. Getting out of the comfort zone and letting things happen as they roll, following my heartbeat. I don’t believe in coincidence, more in magnetic attraction. It wasn’t a coincidence at all when I found (or was found by?) Pounamu, the Greenstone of Aotearoa / New Zealand, the fish from the legend. How could I not be mesmerised by its sheer beauty?
The weakness for beauty also lured me into another realm of legends, a place described as the Garden of the Hesperides by the old Greeks: the Canary Islands west of Africa at the edge of the old world, the gate to heaven. I had the pleasure to deeply connect with the island culture, current and past, and I found out more about the native Guanche people whose precious stone was the Obsidian.
Idar-Oberstein
Yet another legendary place, speaking of gemstones, is this little remote and quiet village in the Hunsrück-Region of southwestern Germany. I lived here and worked for a well established family run carving company. During that time I not only experienced and learned first hand traditional gemstone carving, but took my part in a series of projects that had a “never done before” character.
You wouldn’t think, when you enter the village, that the world is a guest here. Celebrities, millionaires, sheiks and politicians come here on undercover missions hunting for the precious matter. Ancient Romans already opened the local mines and extracted stones. A quartz vein brought prosperity over the region for many centuries. Particularly Idar-Oberstein Agate with its vibrant red and violet colour shades became famous far over the borders of the Hunsrück.
Contemporary Idar-Oberstein gemstone carving is a well established art. The craftmanship goes back over multiple generations of mastercarvers, each family with their own specialty: Layered Agate engravings, realistic animal representations, crystal bowls, faceted diamonds, etc. Traditional carving, which has always had a focus on the tiny details, has been extended under the use of modern technologies, making impossible things possible such as the production of micro detailed lifesize gemstone sculptures at an incredible production rate.
I feel honored to have been able to get all these inside experiences from Idar-Oberstein and around the world. My objective is to continue and preserve the art of gemstone carving for future generations to come, connecting worlds and leaving my fingerprint in eternity.
Journey
Independent Artist
Hannover, Germany
2022 – Today
Gran Canaria, Spain
2019 – 2022
Hannover, Germany
2017 – 2019
Gemstone Carver
@Pauly – The Art of Carving
Idar-Oberstein, Germany
2015 – 2017
Jade- and Hardstone carving
Diploma
@Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Work and Travel as a Gemstone Artist
Greymouth, New Zealand
2014 – 2015
Exhibitions
Zigang Cup - Jade Expo
/ Nov 2023
Services
/ Gemstone Carvings
I specialise in Gemstone Carvings. Every stone has its own story that I thoroughly study before I begin. It’ a process of analysing and uncovering the characteristics of a piece, listen to and learn from it. Once I find inspiration, I carefully work it out with my expertise, using up to date technologies.
/ Commercial Work
I can be comissioned for private or commercial projects. Are you a galerist or collector or need some exclusive items for an exhibition? The range is infinite, just contact me and we’ll work something out.
/ Custom Requests
I create personal works customised for anybody who is into it. In an initial interview I analyse the person’s backgrounds and wishes regarding specific stone and expression or style preferred. It could tell your personal story in form of a small sculpture or jewellery item, matching your personal individuality. It’s a great way of feeling appreciated and accompanied, a part of yours encapsuled in a time bubble.