Few works better represent John Hablitschek's unique artistic vision than his handcrafted gemstone tables. Combining traditional furniture-making skills with carefully selected natural gemstones, these extraordinary works blur the line between sculpture, furniture and gemstone art.

To date, only eight gemstone tables have been created. One resides in a private collection in the United States, two were commissioned for members of the British Royal Family, two remain within the Hablitschek family collection, and the remainder are featured here. Due to the increasing scarcity of high-quality rhodonite, chrysoprase, turquoise, prehnite and other suitable gemstone materials, creating new tables has become increasingly difficult.

The Legacy of the Gemstone Tables

The gemstone tables represent one of the most significant chapters in John Hablitschek's artistic career. Inspired by the colours, textures and patterns found in nature, each table was conceived as a functional work of art. No two pieces are alike. Every surface reflects the unique character of the gemstones used, transforming raw natural materials into striking artistic statements.

What began as an experimental exploration of gemstone art evolved into a body of work that remains unlike anything else produced in Australia at the time. The tables continue to attract admiration for their originality, craftsmanship and rarity.

Craftsmanship and Materials

Each gemstone table required hundreds of hours of planning, stone selection, composition and hand-finishing. Stones such as rhodonite, chrysoprase, turquoise, prehnite, tiger-eye and other semi-precious gemstones were carefully selected for their colour, natural patterns and visual impact.

The gemstones were then individually arranged and integrated into handcrafted timber frames, creating large-scale compositions that combined furniture design with the artistic qualities of mosaic, relief sculpture and gemstone art.

Every table presented unique creative challenges, making each work completely individual and impossible to replicate exactly.

Collectors and Rarity

With only eight gemstone tables ever produced, these works occupy a unique place within John's artistic portfolio. Their rarity is further enhanced by the limited availability of suitable gemstone material.

Many of the stones originally used in these works are significantly harder to obtain today than they were during the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, the creation of new gemstone tables has become increasingly uncommon, adding to the significance and collectability of the existing pieces.

For collectors, each table represents not only a unique artwork but also an important part of Australian artistic and craft history.

The Future of the Gemstone Tables

Creating gemstone tables remains a rare undertaking. The scarcity of suitable materials, combined with the extensive craftsmanship required, makes each new work a significant commitment.

John is currently passing his knowledge, techniques and artistic approach to his grandson, Max Hablitschek, helping preserve the skills developed over a lifetime of creative exploration.

A new gemstone table using prehnite is currently in production, continuing a tradition that spans more than five decades. Future works, however, will depend largely on the availability of suitable gemstone materials and the significant time required to create them.