OBERSTEIN  , a

town of Germany, in the principality of Birkenfeld, belonging to the grand duchy of Oldenburg, on the river Nahe, 33m . S.W. of Kreuznach, by the railway to Mifnsteram-Stein . Pop . (1905) 9669 . It is famous for the cutting and setting of agates and other precious stones, an industry which has been established here, and in the neighbouring township of Idar, since the 16th century . The Evangelical church, built in the 12th century and restored in 1482, is partly hewn out of the solid rock . On the hills above the town are the ruins of two castles . Sec Hisserich, Die Idar-Obersteiner Industrie (Oberstein, 1894) .