Black Hills Solid 14K Gold Opal Garnet Amethyst Diamond Mothers Ring - Size 8

Black Hills solid 14K gold mother's ring set with opal, garnet, blue topaz, amethyst, and a diamond along a curving leaf and vine design. Six stones are prong set in a loose S curve that sweeps diagonally across the face, with a round white opal cabochon at the center flanked by two red garnets, a deep blue topaz and a small white diamond at one end, and a round amethyst at the other. The vine itself is open gold wire that loops and crosses behind the stones, leaving wide pierced gaps so the whole face reads as line rather than mass. Two veined leaves sit at opposite corners, one struck in rose gold and one in green gold, each with fine engraved veining running out from a central spine. The shank splits into a double band at the shoulders and the interior is stamped 14K alongside the crossed pick and shovel.

Black Hills Gold is one of the only jewelry categories in the country protected by origin under law, and nothing can carry the name unless it was manufactured in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The tri color effect is alloy rather than any surface treatment, with copper blended into the gold to produce the rose leaf and silver blended in for the green one, so the colors run through the metal itself. The crossed pick and shovel mark is attributed to South Dakota Gold Company, founded in 1982 and now known as Dakota West Designs, one of the Black Hills houses working in the traditional leaf and vine vocabulary. Finding that vocabulary executed in 14K with five different gemstone species set along a single vine is a more ambitious build than the plain leaf pieces that make up most of the category.

Ring size 8. The open vine construction keeps a wide face light on the finger, and the split shank tapers comfortably toward the back. Arrives packaged and ready to gift or add to your collection.

Verifications:
Solid 14K gold has been verified using an Auracle Gold Analyzer.
Opal, garnet, blue topaz, and amethyst have been verified using a Presidium Gem Tester II.
Diamond has been verified using a Presidium Adamas Diamond Tester, which specifically distinguishes diamonds from moissanite.

Details:
Style: Black Hills Gold
Maker: Attributed to South Dakota Gold Company
Metal: Solid 14K Gold with Rose and Green Gold Leaves
Hallmarks: 14K, Crossed Pick and Shovel
Stones: Opal, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Diamond
Stone Count: 6
Stone Cuts: Round Faceted and Round Opal Cabochon
Setting Style: Prong
Design: Leaf and Vine
Ring Size: 8
Condition: Excellent estate condition

Fun Facts:
The Black Hills gold rush ran from 1874 to 1877, set off when an army expedition under George Custer reported gold in French Creek, and the rush that followed built the towns and the goldsmithing trade that the Black Hills Gold style still carries the name of today.
The colors in Black Hills Gold come entirely from alloy rather than plating or finish, with copper added to the gold to produce the rose tone and silver added to produce the green, which is why the two leaves on a piece like this will never wear to a different color.