The Gold Rush Gallery
A golden opportunity in Graeagle
Over the past 40 years, Ken and Debbie McMaster of The Gold Rush Gallery in Graeagle have brought artfully handcrafted pieces of jewelry from imagination to reality, delighting lovers of jewelry and art in the local community and beyond.
Now, after 15 years of successful year-round business in a nationally recognized gallery in the historic heart of Graeagle, the McMasters have decided that it is time for a new chapter.
“We plan on spending more time at our cabin in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area in Siskiyou County,” Ken McMaster said with a smile from behind a showcase glistening with custom-made gold nugget jewelry in his shop.
“We will be staying in the area after selling the gallery business; we are not moving as we love the area and the people,” McMaster said.
“We hope to revisit some old chapters in our life by mining for gold again on our patented mining claim, as well as creating some new chapters with travel (with our camper and dogs) being the other main desire, on our short‘bucket list.’”
The couple began making the trek out to a rustic, circa-1890 cabin on the family mining claim on the Salmon River in 1979 and began creating gold nugget jewelry with placer gold they had dredged.
Over the years, the talented jewelers expanded their repertoire to include silver jewelry, gold in quartz jewelry as well as traditional jewelry settings. “We both cast and inlay gold, and Debbie is the creator of many of our designs,” McMaster said.
The years have also brought a high level of expertise to the couple’s ability to set stones and render jewelry, in addition to the ongoing work done to craft designs such as the popular line of Sierra Buttes jewelry that remains a best seller at the gallery and online.
“We have over 400 custom items,” Ken McMaster said, adding, “Even after we sell the business, we will continue to make jewelry. We have our online Etsy shop, and are also open to making jewelry for the new owner. We will continue to take special requests as well, of course.”
The McMasters have hopes that the business name will be kept local and continue to host a carefully curated selection of American-made fine crafts, art and quality jewelry for which The Gold Rush Gallery has become renowned.
“The business includes an established 15-year business credibility, professional displays and fixtures, disclosed retail inventory, a security system, business accounts, jewelry repair business and a negotiable lease with Graeagle Land and Water,” McMaster said.
“This is a turn-key opportunity for a jeweler, artist or those with a dream to be a part of the growth potential in an area you love.”
For more information about The Gold Rush Gallery, visit thegoldrushgallery.com or call 836-2712.
The Gold Rush Gallery
Address: 7560 Highway 89
(Building 119) in Graeagle
Phone: 836-2712
Hours: Winter, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., or by appointment
Web: thegoldrushgallery.com
