Authentic Turquoise Treasures - Unveiling Generations of Tradition Behind Dakota Sky Stone
By: Natalie Frazier
When walking through the doors of Dakota Sky Stone Jewelry, the bustling noise of tourist crowds filing through Deadwood is quickly replaced by Nettie Tice’s voice recalling joyful stories of her mother, traveling to Native American reservations, trips to stone mines and learning about the traditions of different cultures she has been able to share with her children and her grandchildren.
That family story is not only captivating to customers who flow in and out of their stores, but something that truly makes Dakota Sky Stone remarkably unique and special. Throughout four generations, they can still recall and bring it all back to the family roots which started it all.
Striking a passion in the early days
“How do you wrap up a lifelong legacy into a short bit?” Nettie Tice asks.
Nettie Tice was born and raised right here in South Dakota. Growing up near Keystone, this midwestern area is something she has always known. Her father Clint was a traveling insurance salesman who frequently visited Native American Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico in the late 60’s. During one trip, he met an artist named Justin Morris, whose talent and artistry amazed him.
Being so intrigued and amazed by the jewelry he discovered, Clint brought his wife Ginny to Arizona the very next week to take part in learning more about turquoise and the artistry behind it. She immediately fell in love with everything about the turquoise and that would be where the family passion and urge for more knowledge was ignited.
According to Nettie, each time her mother would travel with her dad she would bring back more and more turquoise pieces in a little black trinket box. She would stun her friends and even sell some pieces. Most South Dakotans had never seen this type of jewelry before.
Fast forward to 1971. Ginny let the entrepreneurial spirit she had developed through the years guide her into opening her very first turquoise jewelry store, “Ginny’s House of Turquoise.” In 1974 Ginny opened another storefront through her own building they called “Ginny’s Village,” which was quite the landmark for Rapid City for decades. That building housed 16 stores including her own turquoise shop and a dress store on top of it all.
“The artists would come in, and movie stars would come in and buy jewelry from us because no jewelry had ever been brought in like this,” Nettie shares. “She was the pioneer of bringing in this kind of jewelry.”
With that trailblazing spirit, the love for the art of turquoise would trickle down through the generations.
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Sharing the stories and traditions
Throughout the years, Nettie has collected her fair share of memories traveling to stone mines, and Native American reservations with her mother learning everything she could about turquoise and the process artists experienced to create such beautiful works of art. She fondly recalls the respect and care for preservation her mother had for different tribes and the symbolism behind their work. That mutual respect led to many valuable relationships her family has built throughout their work.
While sharing stories of their travels to her own children, Nettie continues to instill that respect for the art and process in her own children who have since continued to share stories, knowledge and passion to their children. That devotion to the quality and process behind their jewelry is evident from the moment you step into their stores.
Nettie married her husband Jim in 1980. With his already budding love for creating jewelry, Jim quickly became intrigued by the processes of Turquoise and the Native American artistry.
“We opened our first store in Deadwood in 1983,” Nettie adds. “At one time we had eight stores, but our artists couldn’t keep up with us. We still have our store on Main Street Deadwood,” Annie shares. Annie and her family opened a Wall store in 2006.
Annie Tice-Poseley, Nettie’s daughter, remembers vividly working with her mother and grandmother before she could even see over the jewelry cases in the store. She has been inspired by the relationships that have been made throughout the years and is so excited to see the same passions that grew through her becoming a part of her own children’s lives.
“I am looking forward to watching the next generations have the passion and the love that my mother did,” Nettie shares. “If I can instill that in my children, grandchildren and hopefully great grandchildren, what an honor it has been to work with the people we work with and to have what we have as far as the Black Hills. It is so important.”
A dedication to authenticity, telling stories and creating new ones
A constant theme throughout the story of Dakota Sky Stone is the dedication the family has to preserving the art of Native American artists. They have continued to travel, learn and share their experiences with the younger generations of their family.
“I don’t even know what to say besides I am just incredibly blessed,” Annie’s daughter Zoe says about getting to experience the travel, culture and knowledge she has been afforded.
Customers that visit Dakota Sky Stone can rest assured that the quality of the turquoise and other stone jewelry they offer is top notch. Stones are hand-picked by members of the family and Native American artists work in tandem with the family to create the beautiful pieces you see in their cases.
“We try to go to the reservation and respect and learn what they believe in,” Nettie says. “Each tribe is different, and they have a different spirituality in the way they do things.”
Dakota Sky Stone works artist direct with around 280 artists that help design all different kinds of jewelry pieces. In addition, the store is home to more than just turquoise and house painted pottery, beading and local photography. The family prides themselves on their ability to give a local, family-made product back to their South Dakota community. Straight from their family to yours, Dakota Sky Stone has a piece for everyone.
“South Dakota is a wonderful place,” Nettie reflects.
Their deep-rooted love for South Dakota is why it is so important to all of them to make sure they can vouch for the jewelry they place on their shelves. The process of choosing a piece of this art should be stress-free for those who stop by their store. It should feel like working with a trusted friend.
The Tice Family agrees that they enjoy being able to share their family story with turquoise and the ability to help others tell their story through the pieces they create. Jim summed up their philosophy perfectly. “Whether it is the connection Ginny was making in those early days in Arizona, a captivating family tale told by Nettie herself or even a sweet smile from Zoe, with her sweet family puppy in hand, you leave Dakota Sky Stone feeling inspired by the family legacy that is alive and well in the heart of the Black Hills.”
“You may walk in as a stranger to our store, but you will leave as a friend for life,” Jim shares.
Turquoise Tidbits
Sunnyside Turquoise
- Found in the Sunnyside mine in northern Nevada
- Sunnyside turquoise is extremely hard and contains bright blue ripples against a darker host rock
Kingman Turquoise
- Found in Kingman, Arizona.
- Kingman turquoise can range from pale to dark blue, and sometimes includes shades of green. The color is determined by the copper and iron in the stone, with copper creating a blue tone and iron creating green hue
- Matrices can be white, light brown, or black
Royston Turquoise
- Found in the Royston Mining District, Nevada
- Royston turquoise can be two-toned, with both light and dark green or blue
- Known for heavy matrix dark brown to gold in color
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the family’s interest in turquoise begin?
The family’s story began when Clint met artist Justin Morris during his travels in the late 1960s. He returned to Arizona with his wife Ginny, whose fascination with turquoise and its artistry inspired the family business.
What was Ginny’s House of Turquoise?
Ginny’s House of Turquoise was the first turquoise jewelry store Ginny opened in 1971. It marked the beginning of the retail legacy that grew into Dakota Sky Stone.
What was Ginny’s Village?
Ginny’s Village was the Rapid City building Ginny opened in 1974. The article describes it as a local landmark that housed 16 stores, including her turquoise shop and a dress store.
When did the family open stores in Deadwood and Wall?
The article recalls the opening of the family’s first Deadwood store in 1983 and the Wall store in 2006.
How are traditions passed down through the family?
Family members share stories, travel to mines and reservations, and learn about the artists and their work together. Nettie passed these experiences to her children, who have continued sharing them with the next generation.
How does the family approach learning about Native American traditions?
Nettie describes visiting reservations with respect and learning directly from the people they meet. She emphasizes that each tribe has its own beliefs and spiritual traditions.
How does the family participate in choosing and creating the jewelry?
Members of the family hand-pick stones and work directly with artists to create jewelry. Their involvement helps them share the background of the pieces with customers.
What other art is mentioned in the article?
Alongside turquoise and other stone jewelry, the article mentions painted pottery, beading, and local photography as part of the store’s connection to art and community.
Family Owned Since 1971
Deadwood & Wall, SD | 605.390.5500
dakotaskystone@gmail.com
