VIDEO. Perpignan adorns itself in blood and gold colors to celebrate garnet, the sacred stone of the Catalans

It is the sacred stone of the Catalans, an emblematic jewel. Garnet in the spotlight this weekend in Perpignan on the occasion of Saint Eloi. Every year, the whole city turns blood and gold to celebrate the tradition of making garnet jewelry born in Perpignan.

Blood and gold, the colors of the Catalan flag united in an exceptional jewel. Protected by a geographical indication, Perpignan garnet requires know-how that only a few artisans in the Pyrénées-Orientales perpetuate with the purest respect for tradition.

A fine stone that locals found in the valleys near Canigou, the sacred mountain of the Catalans, garnet was already widely used by artisan jewelers two centuries ago. The range of colors, of which red is produced by the presence of iron, extends in an infinity of tones ranging from brown red to red violet. It was not until the end of the reign of Napoleon III that the first mentions of “Perpignan Garnet jewelry” appeared.

Since that time, the cut of garnets assembled by the jewelry artisans of the Pyrénées-Orientales has been the “Perpignan cut”. It has the particularity of having facets on the top, the bottom remaining flat. All artisan jewelers who respect the specifications of the IG Grenat de Perpignan certify that their garnets have been rigorously selected and then assembled by hand in the traditional way, according to unique centuries-old know-how. Precise gestures guided by strict rules for manufacturing protected since 2018 by a GI (geographical indication). Heritage know-how that consists in setting the stone with a gold ribbon and slipping a paillon (red metal sheet) at the bottom of the bezel under the garnet, allowing light to be reflected through the stone.

It’s a highlight of the winter calendar in Perpignan. At the dawn of the Christmas holidays, Saint Eloi recalls a tradition dear to the memory of the Catalans, that of the manufacture of garnet jewelry.

The capital of Roussillon has its emblematic jewel: the Perpignan Garnet. Known for its deep red and clean lines, Garnet reflects the strong character of its inhabitants. This Garnet craftsmanship unites tourism and economy during a weekend, around one of the most striking artisanal singularities of our city.

Saturday December 14

• 3:00 p.m. – The great Napoleon III parade, in the presence of Amélie Laugier, 25th Queen of Arles, departure from Place Gambetta

• 3:45 p.m. – The “Roussillonnais quadrille”, return of a fashionable dance at Place de la Loge

• 4:30 p.m. – Saint Eloi Ball at the Salle des Actes, Old University.

Sunday December 15

• 9:30 a.m. – Gathering at the foot of Castillet

• 10:15 a.m. – Departure of the procession

• 10:45 a.m. – Mass in Notre-Dame La Réal church

• 12:15 p.m. – Catalan ball at Place de la Loge

• 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Free visit to the exhibition “The Perpignan Garnet, Art and History of a Catalan Jewel” at the Palace of the Kings of Majorca.

From Monday December 2 to Sunday December 15

• “Crossed Perspectives” exhibition, Vestibule of the Arago room, Town Hall.