Since the 17th century, Bohemian crystal has been one of the most recognized signs of the creative ingenuity of the Czech imagination. Due to the natural resources of crystal throughout the Bohemia region, especially in Jihlava, one of the oldest Czech mining towns, a cottage industry continued to evolve due to the increasingly intricate designs. After opening in 1845, Jihlavské Sklárny Bohemia was crucial in helping Czech crystal become a world-wide phenomenon and a symbol of excellence in crystal ware.