Black Hills Gold is the grape-and-leaf jewellery made in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and it is recognised by its colour rather than its shape: green and rose gold leaves worked over a yellow gold body, on one piece, in one casting. The pieces here are 10K tri-color gold with 12K gold leaf work, each hung on a 14K gold-filled rope chain and ready to wear as it arrives.
The range runs from small crosses and crucifixes to hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, roses and hearts, with lockets that open for a photograph and a few set with garnet, topaz or a small diamond. For the same subjects in plain gold and silver see cross pendants and crucifixes, heart pendants, hummingbird pendants, butterfly pendants and lockets. Browse all necklaces or everything in pendants and charms.
More about Black Hills Gold
What makes it Black Hills Gold
The design is the grape cluster and the trailing leaf, and the colour comes from alloying rather than plating or enamel. Green gold is gold alloyed with silver, rose gold with copper, and the two are worked against yellow gold so a single piece carries three tones that will not wear off. The style has been made in the Black Hills of South Dakota since the nineteenth century and is still made there.
The metals, plainly
The body of each piece is 10K gold and stamped 10K. The leaf work applied over it is 12K gold, which is why the description reads "10k and 12k". The chain supplied with each necklace is 14K gold-filled â a thick layer of 14K gold bonded to a base core, which is heavier and longer-wearing than plate but is not solid gold. Each product page states the metals for that piece.
Who it suits
It is a traditional style and it is bought as a traditional gift: anniversaries, Mother's Day, a milestone birthday, and often by people who grew up around it or have a connection to South Dakota. The tri-color sits equally well with yellow or rose gold already being worn, which makes it an easier gift than a single-colour piece.
Care
Solid gold does not tarnish, so warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft cloth are enough for the pendant. Treat the gold-filled chain more gently than you would a solid one: keep it away from perfume and chlorine, and dry it after wearing. Store the piece on its own so the leaf work is not scratched by something harder.
Common questions
What is Black Hills Gold?
It is a style of gold jewellery made in the Black Hills of South Dakota, recognised by grape clusters and leaves in green and rose gold set against yellow gold. The colours come from alloying the gold with other metals, not from plating or enamel.
Why does it say 10k and 12k?
The body of the piece is 10K gold and the leaf work applied over it is 12K gold. Both are real gold; they are different alloys, which is part of how the colour contrast is achieved. The piece is stamped 10K for its primary metal.
Is the chain solid gold?
No. The chain supplied with these necklaces is 14K gold-filled, which is a thick layer of 14K gold bonded to a base core. It wears far better than plate but it is not solid gold. The pendant itself is solid.
Will the green and rose colour fade?
No. The colours are alloys rather than a surface treatment, so the tone goes all the way through the metal. There is no coating to wear off the leaf work.
Can I wear it with the gold I already own?
Usually yes. Because each piece carries yellow, green and rose gold at once, it sits comfortably next to either yellow or rose gold. It is one of the easier styles to add to jewellery someone already wears.
Is it a good anniversary or Mothers Day gift?
Those are the two occasions it is bought for most. The grape-and-leaf design is a traditional one, and it is often chosen by people who have a connection to South Dakota or who were given a piece years ago.
Can these pieces be engraved?
Not generally. The pendants here are shaped and worked across the whole surface rather than left flat, so there is no plain back to engrave. Each product page states whether a piece is engravable.
