Friday, December 9, 2011

2011-2012 Miss Rodeo America Pageant wraps up on December 10th

The 2011-2012 Miss Rodeo America Pageant has been in full force since December 3rd, and the lucky lady will be chosen this weekend. Miss Rodeo America Inc. was developed in 1955 to each year select a qualified Miss Rodeo America as an ambassador of good will promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and American western traditions. The pageant is an opportunity for the young lady selected to set a solid path for their future endeavors. At the same time, it offers all of the contestants the richness of developing lifelong friendships through the experience of this competition.

In addition to the $10,000 Miss Rodeo America scholarship, the winner will also be awarded a number of exquisite prizes, including clothing and matching jewelry as well as the timeless Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold tiara, originally made for Pat Koren, Miss Rodeo America 1965. Landstroms is the original manufacturer of Black Hills Gold, with roots dating back to the late 1800's.

Good luck to all the contestants, but special felicitations to Miss Rodeo Colorado- Kellsie Purdy and Miss Rodeo South Dakota- Vanessa Ternes!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

BlackHillsGoldSource Black Hills Gold Black Friday Sale!

Black Hills Gold sale coupon
Save on hundreds of products through FRIDAY ONLY with our Black Friday Sale 10% Off coupon!

This sale begins now and ends Friday at midnight, so shop now to find great buys on all your favorite Black Hills Gold jewelry!

Shopping carts need to be filled and ran through checkout by 11:59pm MT (BlackHillsGoldSource time) on Friday, November 25th.

Get to http://www.BlackHillsGoldSource.com/ before Saturday to take part in this sale! And remember to enter "bhgfriday" on Line 5 of checkout to save 10%!

BlackHillsGoldSource brings you the best Black Hills Gold!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Only 7 weeks until days start getting longer!

Landstroms bird earrings
Signs of winter are everywhere. Snow storms have already arrived in various places across the country, next weekend we turn the clocks back and say goodbye to daylight savings time, and the birds have begun their annual migration south to escape the coming cold season. It will be a couple of months before we hear our lovely feathered friends' musical songs echoing from the trees again.

In the meantime, we can keep alive the feelings their beautiful melodies bring us with a variety of bird jewelry from Landstroms. Landstroms offers Black Hills Gold and Silver earrings, pendants and lockets featuring birds in trees, hummingbirds with roses, and hummingbirds framed in hearts that we may wear close to us.

You can follow these links to shop for the finest Black Hills Gold and Silver bird jewelry:

Bird pendants
Bird earrings

Landstroms is the original, hand-crafted jewelry of the Black Hills of South Dakota.




Thursday, September 22, 2011

Silver Snowman Earrings

silver-snowman-earringsWith the first frost advisories of the year this morning across the mountain states, it's hard not to think about our friend, Frosty the Snowman. This little guy is now available with skis, on skates, holding a snow shovel or just by his cute little self!

Made by Landstroms from sterling Black Hills Silver, these earrings feature 12 karat Black Hills Gold leaves on his scarf and baked black enamel buttons and hat band.

Landstroms silver snowman earrings also have matching pendants and pins, which can also be used as tie clips and are sure to add sparkle to your day!



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Black Hills Gold Sapphire pendant

It's almost September and September is the month of the Sapphire!

This lovely Black Hills Gold Journey Necklace by Landstroms is made from 10 karat Black Hills Gold with 12 karat pink and green Black Hills Gold leaves, and comes with a complimentary 18" Gold-filled chain. Flowing from top to bottom are
five different graduated sizes of genuine Sapphires.

A Journey Necklace, or Journey Pendant is worn to show how far you’ve come in your life with that special person, or to show your commitment to a future together. The gentle curved shape represents the ebbs and flows of life, the good times and bad that you have faced together, while the graduating stones symbolize your ever-growing love and devotion.

See our complete line of Black Hills Gold necklaces


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Western Jewelry, by Landstroms



Landstroms Black Hills Gold and Silver western jewelry -
classic designs that embody the American west. Landstroms
has been proudly providing the Miss Rodeo America crown
since 1965.




Thursday, June 23, 2011

Landstroms Black Hills Gold Necklaces


HISTORY OF NECKLACES

Necklaces are one of the oldest traditions of mankind, dating as far back to the Stone Age. That tradition has flourished over the thousands of years and today decorations such as necklaces, anklets, and many other body decorations are heavily used to express beliefs, status and rank, or just as an adornment.

TYPES OF NECKLACES

Little do most people know about the various forms of necklaces:
  • there is the bib necklace, which is a necklace made of several rows of pearls
  • the choker (14-16 inches long), which as the name implies wraps closely around the neck
  • the princess, matinee and opera necklaces, each defined by their respective lengths of 18-20, 22-23 and 30-35 inches long
  • the Sautoir necklace, which is greater than 35 inches in length and also referred to as a rope necklace
  • the lariat necklace, which is an endless strand without closure often wrapped around the neck several times.

BLACK HILLS GOLD

Black Hills Gold is not a style of necklace, it's a style of American jewelry made in South Dakota which incorporates pink and green grape leaves and grape clusters and vines in each design. Combining gold with copper makes the pink color, while the delicate green color is achieved by adding sterling silver with gold. Landstroms is the oldest manufacturer of Black Hills Gold jewelry, and the original.

Visit our informative blog post for more on the history of Black Hills Gold.

Though Landstroms makes and assortment of traditional Black Hills Gold necklaces, their specialty is in the design of a vast number of pendants in Black Hills Gold and sterling silver, with gemstones, diamonds - even Swarovski crystals - depicting a variety of themes. From silver snowflake pendants to gold hummingbird pendants, to simple grape leaf designs that characterize the lore and history of the Black Hills.

TYPES OF BLACK HILLS GOLD NECKLACES

Following is just a sampling of the types of Black Hills Gold necklaces and pendants available from Landstroms Original Black Hills Gold.

Traditional Necklaces

Black Hills Gold necklaceLandstroms sweet and simple traditional necklaces feature classic styling with single strands of 12 karat Black Hills Gold leaves, either in-line or graciously dangled. An essential for every lady about the town.

Heart NecklacesBlack Hills Gold heart pendant

This selection of Landstroms heart pendants includes traditional and contemporary designs which will never go out of style. From classic, jeweled mother's pendants to light and lively hummingbirds in hearts, a Black Hills Gold heart necklace makes a timeless gift, and Landstroms offers hearts for every sense of taste.

Black Hills Gold key pendantKey Pendants

A timeless key heart pendant can make a most memorable gift as a key and heart pendant is recognized as a symbol of everlasting love. Regardless of your age, you'll feel beautiful inside wearing a Landstroms key pendant, and the shine in your eyes will show it.

Cross NecklacesBlack Hills Gold cross necklace

Show your faith or wear as a personal reminder of sacrifice. These Black Hills Gold cross necklaces by Landstroms are each hand-crafted with exquisite workmanship. Cross pendants are made from 10 karat Black Hills Gold or .925 sterling Black Hills Silver with traditional 12 karat Black Hills Gold leaves, and come with complimentary chains.

Black Hills journey necklaceJourney Necklaces

A Journey Necklace, or Journey Pendant is worn to show how far you’ve come in your life with that special person in your life, or to show your commitment to a future together. The gentle curved shape represents the ebbs and flows of life, the good times and bad that you have faced together, while the graduating stones symbolize your ever-growing love and devotion.

Landstroms Black Hills Gold Journey Necklaces come in both five and seven stone versions with cubic zirconia, as well as genuine sapphire and rubies. The Sapphire Journey Pendant is also available with both Sapphires and CZ.

Snowflake NecklacesBlack Hills silver snowflake necklace

You'll warm up your winter days with these glistening Black Hills Gold and silver snowflake necklaces, snowman pendants and other wonderful jewelry of the season. Many of these pieces also have matching earrings.

Black Hills Silver hummingbird pendantAnimal Necklaces

Available in Black Hills Gold and gold on silver, each piece in Landstrom's selection of Black Hills Gold horse necklaces, hummingbird necklaces and butterfly necklaces is sure to be noticed. You can also select from Black Hills Gold dragonfly necklaces, frog pendants, dolphin pendants, dog pendants and more. Many of these pieces also have matching wildlife earrings.

LocketsBlack Hills Gold locket

For Mothers Day or Valentines Day or to celebrate any special day, a beautiful Black Hills Gold or sterling Black Hills Silver locket from Landstroms will keep you close to that special person's heart.

No matter which style of necklace or pendant you prefer, when you wear beautiful pieces of jewelry it shows, and few will help but notice your charming Black Hills Gold or silver necklace as it dangles below your sparkling eyes.



Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Why not Black Hills Gold jewelry for Fathers Day

Black Hills Gold Fathers Day giftIt’s most commonly accepted that Father's Day was first celebrated in 1910 in Spokane, WA when Sonora Smart Dodd had the idea to honor her father, who had lost his wife during childbirth of their sixth child. Sonora thought that fathers deserved as much recognition as mothers and perceived a special Father's Day an appropriate and deserving complement to Mother's Day.

However, it is interesting to note that the very first Father's Day celebration actually took place two years earlier in West Virginia where Grace Golden Clayton organized a special day in honor of more than 200 fathers who had perished in a mining accident just a few months earlier. That event was never sufficiently promoted nor repeated, and therefore, didn't receive much attention other than the memory of it having taken place in July of 1908.

The events happening in Spokane, however, got wide-spread attention and led to repeated official recognition by various US presidents until it was declared a national holiday in 1972 by Richard Nixon.

It didn't take too long before merchants promoted the day to a commercial event. Though not as heavily celebrated in terms of presents purchased and dollars spent as Mother's Day, merchants begin promoting the sales of electronics and tools for weeks before Father's Day.
Black Hills Gold Men's Eagle Watch
But does it really have to be electronics and tools? Isn't dad's garage already crammed full of gadgets he rarely uses? Here's another idea: how about a money clip, tie tack, some cuff links or a new watch made from genuine Black Hills Gold by Landstrom's, the original manufacturer of Black Hills Gold jewelry--?? Landstroms also makes a complete line of men’s Black Hills Gold and Black Hills Silver rings. For more information, or to shop for Black Hills Gold Fathers Day jewelry, visit http://www.blackhillsgoldsource.com/fathers-day-gifts.

Black Hills Gold Eagle Ring
BlackHillsGoldSource.com offers a complete selection of Landstroms items made of Black Hills Gold and Silver so you can choose a special Father's Day gift that is different from what you may have gifted in the past, and is sure to be appreciated by Dad.



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Easter: history, traditions and Black Hills Gold cross necklaces

Black Hills Gold locket
Most people associate Easter with the religious celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It is interesting to learn that there are many other customs and legends about Easter that go back hundreds of years.

The pagan origins trace back to the “goddess of spring and fertility”, as was honored by several ancient societies such as the Scandinavians, Saxons and Teutonians as far back as the 8th century. In those previous times, the rabbit was considered a symbol of fertility, while the egg, which is still painted with colorful patterns today, symbolized the sunlight of spring. In old traditions, eggs were exchanged as gifts. Since those times, both the rabbit and the Easter egg have remained an integral part of modern Eastern celebrations.

In societies where Christianity dominates, Easter is about the resurrection of Christ and as such is the most important holiday. Even the Christian Easter celebration, however, picks from several traditions, the strongest connection being to the Jewish celebration of Passover, which remembers the exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

The idea of gift giving has prevailed from old traditions. If you are looking for some gift-giving ideas that have a connection to the actual Easter celebration, visit BlackHillsGoldSource.com where you can find a variety of religious jewelry for Easter, including Black Hills Gold cross necklaces, earrings and lockets, from Landstroms.



Thursday, March 31, 2011

Finding the best Mothers Day gift

mothers jewelry
Finding your mom the perfect Mothers Day gift to let her know how you feel seems to get more and more difficult every year. There are just so many occasions in our busy lives that it’s just plain overwhelming at times.

Not only does she not need anything, she also won’t give any type of clue about what she might need, or might want. But then, Mother’s Day is not supposed to be about what your mom needs or wants, now is it?

Christmas and birthdays are always easier occasions to find gifts for, as you can always wrap up a nice jacket, sweater, or even a kitchen gadget or other household implement. But these items just don’t seem appropriate for Mother’s Day. Standard gifts for Mother’s Day consist of either flowers or candy, but in reality, gifts like these don’t really last, so they can’t be considered gifts from the heart.

Mother’s Day should involve a lot more thought and consideration to convey the love and gratitude you have for the person that carried you into this life. A gift that was just picked up at the checkout lane at the local grocery store during your routine weekly shopping trip simply won’t do.

When Mother’s Day was officially declared a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson back in 1914, giving your mom a white carnation and a simple thank you on this day would have been a novel and well-appreciated gesture. Nowadays, over $16.4 billion are spent annually on Mother’s Day gifts in the United States alone, all in an effort to convey this same gratitude and love.

But Mother’s Day should really be more than just a thank you to mom. Sure, it’s a day that serves as a personal recognition of mothers, but it’s also a celebration of the mother-child relationship which each of us are an essential part of. So how do you show your love and appreciation and express your unique, personal bond with your mother?

Perhaps this year you could buy her a piece of jewelry that has your birthstone, and the birthstones of your siblings on it. A mothers birthstone ring or pendant seems to be a much more personable gift, and it would probably mean a lot more to your mom, not only as an expression of love from all her children, but as a display of her love and pride in them as well.

BlackHillsGoldSource.com offers an extensive line of mother’s jewelry in classic Black Hills Gold and Silver by the original Black Hills jewelry manufacturer, Landstroms. At BlackHillsGoldSource.com you’ll find a beautiful selection of quality hand-made Mother’s Day gift ideas, from heart-shaped jewelry to a beautiful selection of mothers rings and necklaces, and jewelry
of all types for other occasions, all made by hand in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

Nothing say’s ‘Thank You’ and ‘I Love You’ and ‘I Appreciate You’ quite like a gift of Landstroms Black Hills Gold mothers jewelry. Buy Black Hills Gold for your mom today, and Happy Mothers Day this coming May!




Friday, February 25, 2011

St. Patrick’s Day facts and fun!

Irish Jewelry

Shamrocks and more

Thousands will gather on the streets on March 17th to either partake in or watch the parade, where the predominant color will be green. Have you ever thought about what the origin of the reference to green and the Shamrock might be?

The History of St. Patrick’s Day

Many know that the March 17th celebration is in honor of St. Patrick (AD 387-461) from Ireland. He was a bishop who had a rocky teenage-hood. Though he was born in Great Britain, when he was only 16 years old, he was kidnapped by the Irish and forced to become a slave in Ireland. He managed to escape, returned to Britain, and embarked on the path to becoming a priest.

In 432, he returned to Ireland as a bishop to spread the word of Christianity and convert the polytheistic Irish. That’s when the Shamrock made its way into the legend of St. Patrick: supposedly he used the three leaves of the Shamrock to explain the dogma of trinity – in Christian religion the notion of the unity of the father, the son and the holy spirit. Perhaps simplistic, but people, both then and still today, learn and understand best by illustration and demonstration.

It wasn’t until 1903 that St. Patrick’s Day became a holiday in Ireland, though another 28 years passed before the first parade took place in Dublin. However, oddly enough, the very first St. Patrick’s parade in the world happened in Boston as early as 1737! The parades not only celebrate Saint Patrick; they also became a display of the Irish culture, and in past times a political statement against the British rule of Ireland.

The Emerald Isle

Further connection between the color green and St. Patrick's day comes from Ireland's frequent rainfall, resulting in the island's lush vegetation, and earning it the nickname the Emerald Isle.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

Nowadays, Irish and non-Irish alike celebrate on March 17th, with almost everyone wearing a piece of green clothing for the day. You can wear the green like everybody else, but if you think the color green doesn’t suit you well, how about a piece of jewelry reflecting the color of the day?

St. Patrick’s Day Jewelry

Landstroms Original Black Hills Gold Creations offers many Black Hills Gold and Silver jewelry items featuring brilliant green emeralds on rings, necklaces and bracelets. Landstroms also offers their version of the distinctive Claddagh ring made of finest sterling silver, with Landstrom’s signature 12 karat Black Hills Gold leaves.

Don’t miss out on the celebration this St. Patrick’s Day! And if you're looking for that perfect piece of gold or silver jewelry with a brilliant green emerald to help you to celebrate the day, visit us at: http://www.blackhillsgoldsource.com/st-patricks-day-jewelry

Remember, everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!





Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Meet Miss Rodeo America 2011!

Miss Rodeo America 2011
The 2011 leading lady of professional rodeo is McKenzie Haley of Winner, South Dakota! She received the crown on December 4, 2010 after a week-long pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

McKenzie is a student at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and plans to receive a Master’s degree in School Psychology. She will be able to use the $20,000 scholarship she was awarded as Miss Rodeo America from the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation to help further her educational goals.

In addition to traveling
more than 100,000 miles during her reign representing Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association, McKenzie will wear the timeless Landstroms tiara.

Landstrom’s Original Black Hills Gold Creations has provided the official Miss Rodeo America crown every year since 1965. Miss Rodeo America Inc. was developed in 1955 to each year select a qualified Miss Rodeo America as an ambassador of good will promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and American western traditions.

We wish this proud South Dakota cowgirl the best of luck. Congratulations McKenzie!

Read the whole story.