His products are worn by aristocrats and showbiz stars in a variety of countries. But the master is especially proud of the fact that his regular customers include the German Chancellor.
Moonstone beads with garnet
A gold necklace with carnelian inlays, a necklace made of diamonds and opal, amber beads … When Angela Merkel is on TV, Hans-Peter Weyrich, a resident of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, is the first to notice what jewelry Merkel has chosen to match her outfit this time. The fact is that Weyrich is a jeweler, and the German Chancellor is among his regular clients.
An unexpected call
Their acquaintance took place in 2008. One day the phone rang in Hans-Peter Weirich’s workshop. When the jeweler picked up the receiver, he could not believe his ears: it was Angela Merkel herself calling him. The head of the government liked one of the jewelry pieces he made – a necklace with inserts of black labrador, blue-green apatite and silver.
Weirich was recommended to Merkel by her Christian Democrats colleague Julia Klöckner, who is known in Germany not only as a flamboyant politician, but also as an attractive, always tastefully dressed and knowledgeable woman in jewelry and fashion jewelry.
German necklace
It’s been almost ten years since then. During this time, the Federal Chancellor has purchased several pieces of jewelry from the master.
One of her favorites was the so-called “Deutschlandkette” (German necklace),whose colors correspond to the black-red-gold tricolor of the German national flag.
Merkel wore these beads of semi-precious stones – coral, onyx and rock crystal – in the run-up to parliamentary elections in early September 2013, when she went to a televised debate with her then main rival, Social Democrat Peer Steinbrück. Although Merkel had worn the necklace several times before, it was then that it was noticed. It became famous. By the way, it cost the head of government somewhere around 600 euros. It is not known exactly: Weirich refuses to talk about it.
According to him, Angela Merkel uses the services of his workshop about once a year. The last order from her came in the fall of the year. Usually the jeweler sends her several pieces to choose from. The chancellor chooses what she particularly likes and sends the rest back.
Hans-Peter WeirichHans-Peter Weirich
Over the years, the master has learned Merkel’s taste very well. She prefers original, but at the same time not going out of fashion. Sophisticated, but modest enough, not at all boastful. And not too expensive. In this sense, Weirich, whose jewelry is famous for its interesting design, not for the number and size of diamonds, is the ideal jeweler for the chancellor.
As for such a luxurious piece of jewelry as a gold necklace with carnelian and fire opal (Hans-Peter Weirich also made it), the head of the German government wears it only on special occasions – for example, at the Wagner Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, which she adores, or, say, on the occasion of her inauguration as Federal Chancellor.
Renowned clients
Hans-Peter Weirich’s clients are not only politicians. Necklaces, beads and bracelets made in his workshop adorn the necks and arms of aristocrats and show business stars from all over the world. They are also bought up by famous jewelry brands. For example, Weirich’s jewelry occupies a place of honor in the store of the famous jewelry house Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue in New York.
The town of Idar-Oberstein has long been known for its masters of processing precious and semi-precious stones – polishers, enamellers, cutters and engravers. This tradition is already five centuries old. According to various estimates, there are from 350 to 400 jewelry workshops employing at least 1500 people.
The workshop of Hans-Peter Weirich is a family enterprise for the third generation. The jeweler’s wife develops versions and designs jewelry. They do not have to complain about the lack of clients. But, of course, it is a special honor to receive orders from Angela Merkel, Hans-Peter Weirich emphasizes.
