A gemstone binding for a French Book of Hours

Gem Book Cover

In the summer of 2010, a private customer – formerly a member of the board of directors of a large German health insurance company – read his favorite book, a French one Book of Hours from 1896 with a new gemstone book cover.

That was a very special order for us. Our bibliophile Customer visited several times our studioto coordinate all the details of the new book cover with us.

Eventually he settled on a Gothic style book cover with a medieval one Filigree and very large rock crystals on the fitting corners.

Book cover lying
Book cover lying


A total of 40 genuine cultured pearls, 4 large rock crystals, 4 beryls, 4 rose quartz and 6 genuine rubies were processed. The book cover and the book clasps are gilded with 24-carat fine gold.

The magnificent volume has 2 additional book clasps, each with a ruby ​​and 4 cultured pearls.

Book cover with book clasps


The Gothic-style “ivory panel” in the center of the front cover depicting the Adoration of the Magi was created using the techniques commonly used today in professional museum copies: from a special synthetic resin with mineral pigments and a final patination (including the typical aging cracks of antique ivory).

Gothic style book cover
Gemstone book cover for a book of hours


After a few weeks, our book lover was finally able to receive his favorite book again. His visible emotion was an additional reward for us for this wonderful and extremely exciting project.

Book cover with gems