The magic of goldsmithing
For Lübeck's ZWISCHENZEILEN we meet today with Maren Evers-Knoop , who runs the traditional Lübeck Lachmann's Goldschmiede . The goldsmith's workshop was founded in 1933 by Max Lachmann. The master goldsmith and her team are therefore celebrating the workshop's 90th anniversary this year.
The current owner of the company began her career as an apprentice at Lachmann's. She passed her master craftsman's examination in 1977. In 1979, she took the step into self-employment by taking over the workshop. Today, we're taking the opportunity to look over her shoulder a little.
The art of goldsmithing
The work of a goldsmith is a symbiosis of tradition and innovation. While the fundamental techniques have hardly changed over the centuries, contemporary designs and materials are now integrated to appeal to a broad audience. The work processes are as fascinating as they are demanding. The first step is selecting the right gold, which varies depending on the desired color and purity. This is followed by melting at extremely high temperatures to shape it as desired. This requires not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of the material's properties.
Once the gold has melted, the true art of forging begins. The metal is carefully shaped. After the piece of jewelry has taken its form, it is meticulously polished to bring out its characteristic shine. The finishing touches then follow, in which precious stones or other elements are added to perfect the piece.
Dreams become sparkling reality
"The magic is always in the details." Theodor Fontane knew that. Maren Evers-Knoop knows it too. Goldsmithing is honest and genuine handcraft with great attention to detail. When working with precious metals, just a few degrees can determine whether a piece succeeds or fails. It's about absolute precision. But it's also, and above all, about people who want to fulfill a very special wish, and whom the goldsmith can help find their own personal, sparkling happiness.
Maren Evers-Knoop finds the goldsmithing profession so appealing because she can bring to life a design that initially only flickers as an idea in her mind and is then captured as a sketch on paper. That's simply exciting. She prefers commissioned work. Customers often come to her with their own designs for a unique piece. Some want the goldsmith to create something new from inherited jewelry. Both approaches make the master goldsmith's eyes sparkle equally. Here, her talent, her trained eye for people, and her professional expertise all come together. I can practically feel her passion for getting to know the person for whom the exquisite piece of jewelry is intended as well as possible. What is their aura? What colors do they wear? Do they want to stand out?
Each unique piece is inextricably linked to the personality for whom it was intended.
With great empathy, the passionate company owner senses the desires of her customers. This connection can become an unforgettable experience that transcends the material. Maren seems to remember every single custom piece she has ever created. Each unique item is inextricably linked to the personality for whom it was intended. There's the delicate young woman whose first name is a flower, for whom she made a necklace to celebrate her successful exams and advised her to wear it as often as possible. The necklace, she explained, would always adapt to her outfit and the time of day. Wonderful advice, which I will also take to heart. Don't we all have far too many beautiful things that we only use on special occasions?
There was the lady who brought in several inherited rings made of old gold, from which the master goldsmith was to create a ring that incorporated all the stones. At first, this seemed an impossible undertaking. But then Maren Evers-Knoop got to work and conjured up a unique piece that perfectly reflected the customer's character. "It's so beautiful! It suits me perfectly!" Maren couldn't imagine a nicer compliment.
Now and forever
Crafting wedding rings is a particular passion of the master goldsmith. Every handmade pair of wedding rings has a truly unique character. The material, the texture, the small details tell the couple's individual story. Every couple has that one moment, that one connecting theme, says Maren Evers-Knoop. Giving this motif a lasting form is always an unparalleled joy.
As I leaf through the little red album, Maren can tell me the perfect story for each pair of rings. There's the story of the young couple whose rings depict the outline of the Alster lake. They had spent hours walking around the wintry Alster on their first date, and even the evening chill couldn't diminish the magic of the moment. Then there's the young couple who, surprisingly, discovered a close connection to the ginkgo tree in both of their families. I can't stop flipping through the album. And yet, I don't even need a wedding ring!
Life is too short to wear boring jewelry.
Of course, it's not just customers who want to have wedding rings or high-quality individual pieces made who come to the shop. You'll also find beautiful items from the " Wellenspiel " and "Engel " offer gemstone necklaces and high-quality silver jewelry from the workshop of the family business, Bernd Wolf Lübeck collection as a souvenir.
As you can see, a visit to Lachmann's goldsmith's workshop is worthwhile. Whether you want to say "I do" forever, have a keepsake redesigned, or take a piece of Lübeck home with you on your finger.
Maren Evers-Knoop and Karl-August Knoop on the occasion of the 90th anniversary © Lachmann's Goldsmiths
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