Nominated for the Culture Prize 2025: Dieter Jerusalem

My name is Dieter Jerusalem. I am 83 years old and a master lapidary by profession.

For me, culture means preserving the history of gemstone and costume jewelry craftsmanship in Idar-Oberstein, which is a unique selling point for the town.

For this reason, I have created a private archive over the last 50 years, which is unique in its scope and completeness. This archive was described by Klaus Eberhard Wild as "the memory" of Idar-Oberstein.

I have also been instrumental in organizing a number of special exhibitions at the Gemstone Museum and have written the title books for them. I am also involved in other book projects.

Authors and journalists from all over the world use the sources in my archive. Television is often my guest. Several students etc. have written their doctoral or bachelor theses with me. Through these relationships, the unique history of Idar-Oberstein is brought to the whole world.