“G” means genuine Czech garnet
Eva Stodůlková, CFO Granát Turnov
Text: Martina Hošková, M. Zisso; Photo: Archive
Can you start by telling us a few words about yourself?
I was born in Liberec, in the north of the Czech Republic, and have lived there my entire life. The nature here is beautiful – we are close to the Jizera Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise. I love sports, mountains, and nature, so it’s an ideal place for me to live. I graduated in Business Economics and Management with a focus on Corporate Finance and I have dedicated my entire professional career to this field. For over nine years now, I have been working at the Granát Turnov cooperative as Chief Financial Officer.
What can you tell us about Granát Turnov?
Granát Turnov is a traditional jewellery manufacturer specialising in Czech garnets, with a history spanning over 70 years. It was founded in 1953 in Turnov, where it still operates and maintains its entire production, except for mining. It is a Czech business corporation with 100% Czech capital.
Currently, the cooperative has 160 employees, two Czech garnet mines – located in Podsedice and Dolní Olešnice – seven retail stores, the Czech Garnet Museum in Prague, and exhibition galleries in Turnov and Český Krumlov. The uniqueness of the cooperative lies in the fact that it is the only holder of a permit to mine and actively mining Czech garnets, and the owner of the trademark “Granát Turnov” and the geographical indications “Bohemian Garnet” and “Bohemian Garnet Jewellery”. All products are certified.
Mining is carried out ecologically in surface mines. After extraction, the area is reclaimed and returned to its original state. From mining to processing, cutting, manufacturing silver and gold jewellery, and wholesale and retail sales – everything is managed in-house. Most of our production consists of jewellery with Czech garnets, but we also offer a wide range of gold jewellery with other gemstones such as sapphire, emerald, diamond, etc. A popular combination is a Czech garnet with a pearl. Our product portfolio includes over 36,000 models. In addition to traditional designs, we offer modern and fresh styles. We also provide custom-made jewellery, as well as repairs of antique pieces. Our mission is to preserve the traditional craft of jewellery making and Czech garnet processing.
Is it true that the Czech garnet is perceived as the national Czech stone, the nation’s mineralogical symbol?
Yes, the Czech garnet is considered the national gemstone and is part of the cultural heritage of the Czech Republic. It symbolises deep love, passion, and devotion, and is often given as a romantic talisman believed to bring energy, courage, and confidence. An original piece of jewellery with Czech garnets is seen as one of the distinctive symbols of the Czech Republic. Czech garnet is completely unique in its composition, and is mined exclusively in the Czech Republic.
Can we find some other garnets in the world?
Czech garnet belongs to the garnet group – crystalline silicates with various chemical compositions that determine their colour. Garnets can range in colour from white to black, and are found in many forms around the world.
Czech garnet is exceptional for its composition and deep red colour, often referred to as “pigeon blood”. It is highly resistant to heat and chemicals, and retains its intense colour even in very small sizes, around 1 mm. Other red garnets from global deposits tend to appear pink, orange, or yellow at this size.
Tourists often ask: “Where can I buy a garnet in Prague to be sure it’s not fake?” Do you have a helpful answer?
Each piece of jewellery with Czech garnets from our production is marked with a “G” hallmark. It also comes with a certificate featuring a hologram that guarantees the Czech origin of the stone and the authenticity of the jewellery. These are the main identifiers that help customers recognise genuine Czech garnet jewellery.
Colour and size can also be indicators – Czech garnets have a deep red colour in all sizes and are typically found in smaller dimensions. The most common sizes used are between 1.5 and 3.5 mm. Stones larger than 4.5 mm are rare and are used in more luxurious pieces, usually set in gold.
In the centre of Prague, we have three stores marked with our logo: Dlouhá Street 28, Panská 1/892, and Havířská 581/3. We also operate the Czech Garnet Museum at Karlova Street 8. Additional stores are located in Turnov, Liberec, České Budějovice, and Český Krumlov. At all these locations, customers can be 100% sure they are purchasing authentic Czech garnet jewellery.
Customers can also visit our e-shop at www.granat.cz, where they can shop with delivery available even outside the Czech Republic.
The shop on Havířská 581/3, Prague
Granát Turnov was part of the Czech pavilion in Osaka this year. How did you present your unique work?
Our participation in the World EXPO in Osaka, Japan, was our most significant event this year. At the turn of July and August, we had the opportunity to present our brand and products on a global stage in the beautiful setting of the unique Czech pavilion, to both B2B partners and the general public.
For this occasion, we prepared an exclusive gold set consisting of a necklace and earrings adorned with Czech garnets of unique sizes, diamonds, and moldavites. The set was designed and crafted by our designers and goldsmiths, inspired by symbols of Czech and Japanese culture. It was first unveiled to the public at the EXPO.
We were also the general partner of the multimedia cultural performance Ballet of Tomorrow – Symphony of Clouds, which connects Czech and Japanese culture, traditional ballet, opera singing, and piano music with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and holography. Our gold set was featured in holographic form as part of the performance. Both the show and the jewellery were a great success among visitors to the Czech pavilion.
At the end of the summer, we organised the exhibition Tasting Czech Garnet at the Clarion Grandhotel Zlatý Lev in Liberec as part of the Crystal Valley project. Jewellery was presented as a festive feast on a richly decorated table. This exhibition marked the first presentation of the exclusive EXPO set in the Czech Republic, along with new collections created for this autumn and winter.
What are the upcoming challenges for the company, both in Czechia and internationally?
Following our participation in the EXPO in Osaka, we are preparing for an exhibition at the Czech Embassy in Tokyo, scheduled for January. A major event next year will be our Open Day – on October 17th, 2026, we will open our production facilities in Turnov to the public with guided tours. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the entire jewellery-making process.
When you began your career many years ago, did you imagine you would one day have a leadership role such as the one you have today?
When I started my professional career, I focused primarily on developing my expertise in finance and management. Over time, I gained experience and expanded my scope to include trade, IT, and strategic leadership. I’m grateful for the opportunity to acquire this knowledge, and for the trust placed in me to serve in managerial roles and statutory bodies.
The path to leadership is not just about ambition – it’s about the willingness to learn, take responsibility, and lead with respect. I truly value being part of a team that shares the values of tradition and quality, and I’m proud to contribute to its development.
Besides being CFO of Granát Turnov, you are also a Member of the Credit Council of the Union of Czech and Moravian Production Cooperatives. Does the fact that you are a woman play any role?
I have spent most of my professional life in managerial positions in finance, with overlaps into trade and IT. This allows me to connect the world of numbers and rules with the dynamics of business strategy – a job that fulfils and inspires me. In the Credit Council, I focus on risk assessment for loans provided to member cooperatives.
Being a woman in business means combining expertise, empathy, and the courage to make decisions. I believe in the power of teamwork, honesty and open communication as the foundation of success.
Tasting Czech Garnet exhibition at the Clarion Grandhotel Zlatý Lev in Liberec
Can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of women in business?
Follow your dreams and don’t let anything discourage you. Act with integrity and humility. Protect your time for yourself and your family – those are irreplaceable moments.
You were one of the finalists for the Manager of the Year 2024 competition. Is that the right kind of motivation for you?
I had the honour of being nominated and becoming a finalist in the Manager of the Year 2024 competition, organised for the 32nd time by the Czech Management Association. I was nominated by the leadership of the Union of Czech and Moravian Production Cooperatives in the CFO category. The Union brings together 180 production cooperatives, and I deeply appreciate this nomination.
The competition ran from June to early October in two rounds. A 17-member evaluation committee selected finalists and winners based on applications and personal presentations. The committee assessed management approach, personal strengths, achievements, implemented projects, and other criteria.
The awards ceremony took place in early October during a gala evening at the opening of the International Engineering Fair in Brno, in the Rotunda Hall. I greatly value this opportunity and the recognition as a finalist – it is not only an acknowledgement of my work but also of the entire Granát Turnov team. It motivates me to continue – advancing digitalisation, integrating new technologies including AI, supporting innovation, building company culture, and fostering collaboration.
You advised businesswomen to protect their free time. What do you do outside of work?
Unfortunately, my free time is limited, but I try to plan and use it meaningfully. I prefer spending it actively with my family. I relax through sports and dancing. On regular days, I do aerobic exercise, swimming, running, and Latin American dancing. When I have more time in the season, I also enjoy playing golf. In winter, I love skiing. Scuba diving and freediving are a great form of relaxation for me – underwater feels like entering a different, peaceful, and fascinating world.
What is the most exciting adventure you have ever been on?
I love diving – every dive is a beautiful adventure for me. Some of my most memorable experiences include diving with dolphins, a dugong, and giant sea turtles.
And one that stands out as rather dramatic?
Years ago, during a climb to the Dachstein summit, the weather suddenly turned bad. We were already close to the top, and had to decide whether to continue or turn back. For safety reasons, we chose not to finish the ascent – and it was the right decision. In the following years, we made up for it by climbing Triglav. I believe we’ll return to Dachstein one day.
All right, we believe you will return to Dachstein again someday. But where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I hope to remain active in a field that fulfils me, both professionally and personally, working in strategic financial management, business, and company development. I also wish for my work to have a positive impact on the people around me – whether within my team or in the broader professional environment.