From looking at Thomas' and my glass samplecard book, I wanted to figure out the date on the Jablonex logo.
And when I just visited their website I was thoroughly surprised. I knew that Jablonex was pretty much finished as a business. It had been declining gradually since 1989 when they lost the monopoly. I also knew that Preciosa had taken over most of the current production.
What I did not know is that in the last year Jablonex has completely stopped as a brand for beads and glass. On their website it now states Jablonex as a real estate company, looking for companies to lease and buy one of their many many buildings. You have to know these buildings are huge and completely dominate parts of Jablonec. There is for example the main 'Palace' of Jablonex, which sits on Palace Street, which is being rented out. It had been sitting mostly empty for the last few years, but it still surprised me.
Anyway, the website also has a long list of the equipment that is being sold off. They hope it will go to local glass and bijoux businesses, but overseas buyers and even collectors are also invited to buy things like huge tumblers, hydraulic presses, catsing equipment and to top it off......the crystal chandelier from the reception area.