Genuine Black Hills Gold

Pioneering Black Hills Gold innovation and goldsmithing since 1922, Stamper Jewelry, Inc., a family-owned company, has been setting high-quality standards in the industry for two generations. Ed and Amy Stamper purchased the company in 1959 from Clara Arnold, a neighbor. At the age of 16, Clara began creating Black Hills Gold jewelry for a business owned by the Butler family in Deadwood, South Dakota. From a two-person operation, Stamper has grown into a nationally recognized company with over 30 employees.

Steeped in history; desired today Black Hills Gold includes both, traditional designs that hark back to the Gold Rush, and modern, contemporary designs created with proprietary Black Hills Gold techniques. Black Hills Gold Jewelry is created from Karat gold (10, 12 and 14K) utilizing a process of alloying to achieve the pale pinks and greens depicting leaves and roses. This process creates a more muted, and sophisticated color than other Black Hills Gold jewelry.

Each piece of Black Hills Gold jewelry is handcrafted by up to 20 skilled artisans. Founder Ed Stamper developed the innovative process of wriggling – a process by which the top surface of the metal is removed to leave behind a velvety finish. Others use wriggling today, but not the way Stamper does – often they even wriggle the leaves by machine. The next step is to engrave the veins in the grape vine leaves. Using a precisely-sharpened blade polished to perfection, Stamper’s artists expertly hand-cut each vein in each leaf to create a smooth, flowing design. The result of this process is leaves that have a softer, more natural flow than any other Black Hills Gold on the market.