Idar-Oberstein

Idar-Oberstein is a town in the Hunsrück mountain range in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It is located in the Landkreis Birkenfeld and is merged from the two towns Idar and Oberstein. The town is known throughout Germany as the jewellery town due to its central place in European jewellery industry and is also a garrison town. The mountain range on which the town sits is 200-450 metres above sea level. The river Nahe has its source here and runs through the town. In 1974 the German National Gem Exchange opened in the town. It is one of the world's 25 diamond exchanges and was the world's first exchange for trading in jewellery gems when it opened. Things to see during summer holidays in this city are the famous Felsenkirche and this is the city's landmark. The church is built into the great cliff and is an incredibly beautiful sight. As Idar-Oberstein is known as the jewellery town, it is also very appropriate that the German Gemstone Museum is located in this town. In this museum all gemstones and precious stone species of the world are gathered. A special focus of the museum is a representation of the domestic minerals and their processing, but also engravings and sculptures from all over the world are exhibited at the museum. For those interested in jewellery and precious stones, Idar-Oberstein is an obvious choice for a cheap mini break or a long weekend!