Blacksmith Forges
Ring
The bizarre scene depicted
above actually did occur during the Gold Rush. A blacksmith
bearing a startling resemblance to modern day Todd Bracken
shaped the wedding band from a gold nugget (Todd steadfastly
refuses to say whether it was his great-grandfather, since few
of today’s top designers would admit inheriting the delicate
hands of a blacksmith).
In 1850, women were in such
short supply, the opportunistic groom invited all and sundry
to his wedding, charging them $5 each for the chance to see a
woman. Today, things are reversed. Whilst women tend to be
more plentiful, gold from the Mother Lode is quite
scarce.
Nevertheless, the younger Bracken, an avid
prospector as well as designer, has personally recovered a
supply of gold from family claims near the original strikes.
In honor of California’s Sesquicentennial, Todd is creating
elegant wedding rings and designer jewelry from the precious
metal. the hammered gold bands provide unique matrimonial
symbols that capture the spirit and romance of the Gold
Rush.
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Bracken Jewelers