At Rareté, luxury lives in the details — and that promise doesn’t end with the jewelry itself. It extends into every element our customers hold in their hands. Our jewelry box is no exception: crafted entirely by hand, made from high-quality materials, and finished with the same care and intention we bring to each of our designs.
What makes this box so special, and what lies at the heart of the bookbinding craft, is something Sarah Stahl — master bookbinder and owner of Buchbinderei Mensch in Cologne - shares with us below.
What makes the perfect jewelry box to you — functionally and aesthetically?
Sarah Stahl: Both. A box can be beautifully ornate - and for certain products, that fits and has its own charm. But that aesthetic doesn’t always belong to our time anymore; it suits more historical pieces.
For me, functionality and aesthetics can be combined wonderfully, and I like to work with the motto “less is more.” In the end, it simply has to suit the theme and the product.
How can you recognize genuine craftsmanship in a box made by a master bookbindery?
Sarah Stahl: When I pick up a box, I look at the turn-ins, the edges, and how precisely the covering material has been applied. In hand bookbinding, we also work less with scored boxes and more with assembled ones that have a sharp 90-degree edge — and these edges are extremely stable. That’s exactly where high-quality craftsmanship becomes visible.
What do you like most about the Rareté Box?
Sarah Stahl: I love the violet, shimmering covering paper combined with the gold embossing. I’m always especially pleased when the embossing remains nicely debossed — even though we emboss before applying the covering material, and sometimes the indentation can lift again.
How would you describe the paper used? What makes it special?
Sarah Stahl: It is truly still a paper — you can see the fibers and the structure. The surface hasn’t been altered by any coating. That makes the paper a bit more delicate, but despite its glamorous appearance, it remains an authentic, unaltered material.
Which step in the process is the most challenging — and which is the most beautiful?
Sarah Stahl: The challenging part is always ensuring that the transitions and turn-ins are perfectly aligned and worked cleanly. We work by hand, with glue and brush, in a non-climate-controlled workshop — so the material sometimes reacts differently. We have to adjust to that in order to deliver consistent quality.
What is the most magical moment in the making of a box?
Sarah Stahl: When the top and bottom parts of the box are fitted together for the first time — and they match perfectly. It makes this specific closing, slightly suctioning sound that tells you: It fits.
What do you value most about collaborating with young, independent brands like Rareté?
Sarah Stahl: I love when we can take on new challenges and co-develop products. There is always a lot to consider and refine. We aim to accompany our clients for a long time and to create quality pieces - and it’s wonderful to be part of a young brand’s early journey. With Rareté, the way the brand introduced itself to the world was particularly exciting and new for us.
Why is it important to preserve traditional crafts such as bookbinding?
Sarah Stahl: When we read a book, several senses are engaged. For me, that makes the content more memorable and valuable than reading on a screen. The same applies when we open a beautifully made box.
Printed and hand-crafted work is a cultural asset that deserves to be preserved. With graphics, embossing, finishes, materials, and specific techniques, you can express and convey so much - historically and artistically.
How do you experience the renewed interest in high-quality, long-lasting packaging as opposed to mass-produced options?
Sarah Stahl: The people who come to us definitely have a sense for longevity and want boxes, books, or game packaging that will last. Partly to save resources, but also to cultivate appreciation for handmade items again.
We’re delighted about this development, because with such projects we have more influence over the quality of the materials used.
What role does the choice of materials play in quality, feel, and sustainability?
Sarah Stahl: Sustainability is important to us, because we want to create products that last. We’re willing to go the extra mile in production to meet that standard. We try to source high-quality materials and work according to defined guidelines.
Quality and feel go hand in hand - when people love how something feels, they naturally treat it with care.
Is there an anecdote from your workshop that reflects your love for the craft?
Sarah Stahl: If you asked my employees, they would confirm that I have a bit of a machine obsession - especially with old equipment and gluing machines. These apply glue to paper or fabric using electrically powered rollers.
I also can’t part with my old embossing press and have a soft spot for beautiful hand tools.
I’m passionate about my craft through and through - and I love watching other craftspeople at work as well. You immediately see who works with routine, feeling, love, and material knowledge.
About Sarah Stahl
Sarah Stahl is a master bookbinder and has been the owner of Buchbinderei Mensch in Cologne since 2010. She completed her training at the Art and Museum Library of the City of Cologne before joining Buchbinderei Mensch as a journeyman bookbinder and eventually taking over the workshop. Since earning her master title in 2013, she has combined precise craftsmanship with a refined sense for materials and aesthetics. Buchbinderei Mensch stands for traditional craft, long-standing expertise, and a deep appreciation for high-quality, handcrafted pieces.