Introduction
Black Hills gold jewelry is handcrafted heirloom jewelry that comes from the Black Hills region of America. Black Hills jewelry has some unique features like tri-colored gold leaves and grapevine and flower designs that set them apart. RiWhat-are-Black-Pearls.shtmlngs, pendants and bracelets all come designed this way. There are varied Black Hills jewelry items for men and women.
Origins
The history of Black Hills heirloom jewelry goes back to the 1800s when gold was discovered in the Black Hills region in the 1960s. This region was traditionally occupied by Native American tribes called Lokata. The region was sacred for these tribes, as they believed that Black Hills was the center of the world. As news of the discovery of gold spread, white men poured in from all sides of the continent. The number of white settlements in the region increased and by and by the region grew into the city of Deadwood. Gold and silver mining became serious business in the region.
It was one of these white men, S.T. Butler, a goldsmith, who first created the first models of what is today called Black Hills gold jewelry. His grandson F.L. Thorpe took the designs to new heights and became ‘the’ signature name and style of Black Hills gold jewelry. Thorpe set up his own company in 1919 with a partner called E. O. Lampinen. Lampinen went his separate way to start his own company later.
Lampinen’s company was purchased by Ivan Landstrom in 1944. Landstrom moved the company out of the city of Deadwood. However in a landmark ruling in the 1980s, a federal court judge stated that only jewelry made in Black Hills could be called Black Hills jewelry. This ruling led to a number of manufacturers getting back to the Black Hills area.
Landstrom’s later in 1995 purchased the company started by F.L. Thorpe and merged it with the name Landstrom’s. Today Landstrom’s is the largest manufacturer and premium signature name of Black Hills gold jewelry. Individual manufacturers have tried to develop their own unique style; however the multi-colored leaves and grapevine design remain common to all. Landstrom’s brings out new designs every season, but they have also continued to make some designs of Thorpe.
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