The Black Hills Yields Pink and Green Gold

In more ways than one, Black Hills gold jewelry has theVisitors to Lead can take a tour of what remains of
ability to turn gold into green. Black Hills gold has been athe surface operation of the mine and get an idea of
very popular choice when buying gold jewelry pieces.just how big an operation the mine used to be.
Black Hills gold jewelry can be seen as rings, pendants,The Pink and Green Gold
bracelets, and even belt buckles, almost any type ofThe colors seen in Black Hills gold jewelry is primarily
jewelry design you can imagine. The characteristic pinkgold combined with shades of pink and green. The
and green gold is what gives Black Hills gold itscolor variations are achieved by combining gold with
distinctive look.certain metal metals in an alloying process. Though the
There has long been misimpression that Black Hills goldjewelry starts out as 24 carat gold bullion the alloying
jewelry is manufactured from gold mined from theprocess does reduce the carat weight and purity of
Black Hills in South Dakota. While it is true that some ofthe gold but the artistry and unique designs more than
this popular jewelry originates from gold mined in Southmakes up the lower carat weight.
Dakota, the fact is that the base gold bullion comesThe carat weight of Black Hills gold jewelry can range
from many different areas around the world.between 10 and 14 carats depending on the other
The Homestake Goldminemetals that are added during the alloying process. The
Much of the gold mined in the Black Hills of Southprocesses after alloying can include molding and solder
Dakota did indeed come from the famous Homestakeassembly and the pieces are usually finished by
mine. At the height of its history, Homestake was oneartisans who add the fine etching done to achieve the
of the largest working gold mines in the world. Afterunique look that this type of jewelry is known for.
more than one hundred and twenty five years, theA trip to Rapid City, South Dakota allows visitors to
mine was closed for good 2002. The mine consistedtour the many producers of Black Hill gold jewelry.
of a huge underground hard rock mining operation andMost all of the manufacturers give factory tours
a large open pit strip mine that sat right in the middle inwhere visitors can see first hand just how these
the town of Lead, South Dakota.beautiful pieces are made. The combination of pink
The main shaft of the underground mine reached agold and green gold can be striking.
depth of close to eight thousand feet and branchedManufacturers generally have factory stores where
out in all directions for thousands of feet. The open pitvisitors can purchase finished pieces, often at prices
was said to be thirteen hundred feet wide and overthat are less than what might be paid at a retail store
five hundred feet deep. In its heyday, the mine hadin another part of the country. Many producers offer
over thirteen hundred workers and was the lifebloodgenuine Black Hills gold at very competitive prices.
of the northern Black Hills economy.So when someone brings up the question about
The mine and town was of Lead was very near thewhether pink or green gold really exists just tell them
famous boom and bust town of Deadwood whichthe story of Black Hills gold jewelry and the history of
today has been restored as a gambling mecca withthe Homestake mine.
much of the towns historic architecture still intact.