Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold & Silver Train Charm, a whimsical tribute to the timeless allure of locomotives. Meticulously crafted from sterling silver, this charm features a charming train design that captures the spirit of travel and adventure. Adorned with two 12K green and rose gold leaves, this piece showcases the signature craftsmanship of Black Hills Gold, adding a touch of nature-inspired elegance. Whether you’re a railroad enthusiast or simply appreciate the symbolism of exploration, this charm is a perfect addition to your collection. Suspended from a bracelet or necklace, it becomes a stylish reminder to embrace the journey, making it a meaningful and delightful accessory for any admirer of trains and fine craftsmanship alike.
The origins of Black Hills Gold date to the 1870’s, designed by a French goldsmith named Henri LeBeau. Although it is known that it was the South Dakota gold rush that brought LeBeau to the region, the inspiration for the grape leaf design is steeped in myth. As the legend goes, the intrepid LeBeau was seeking gold in the Black Hills wilderness when he became completely lost. After days of wandering in search of food and water, he had what he thought was a vision of grapes on a vine. The fruit was real, and so was the stream that ultimately saved him from starvation and thirst. Inspired by his life-changing experience, LeBeau designed the grape and leaf design we associate with Black Hills gold to this day.
Trained by Henri LeBeau, S.T. Butler opened the first Black Hills gold manufacturers in 1878. After dividing into two companies in 1919, both were acquired by Ivan Landstrom in 1944 and 1995.
Although there are several manufacturers of Black Hills gold, Landstom's techniques for creating the grape leaf design are varied. The old fashioned method involves lots of hand finishing techniques, giving each piece a unique touch. This technique starts with the rolling out of colored gold alloys into thin sheets. The leaf shape is then stamped out of the sheets and soldered on to the jewelry. The classic woodgrain texture is created through a technique called “wriggling”, and then the leaf veining is hand engraved.

Reviews
There are no reviews yet.