The Montana Silversmiths Story

Montana Silversmiths began in a little filling station in 1973, when Kent Williams was inspired by a metalsmithing process that would soon revolutionize the silver business. It is there, on Main Street in Columbus, Montana (455 families) that the non-tarnishing, durable and inexpensive MONTANA ARMOR™ belt buckle finish came into being. With that stroke of genius, his fledgling company solved a long-time problem for retailers like us at Gold Mountain Mining Company. (We had previously shied away from selling silver western buckles and trophy buckles because they were high-cost, high-maintenance products that had to be polished regularly.)

Montana Silversmiths = American Craftsmanship

Although Montana Silversmiths started out as a buckle comapny, it today offers the boradest line of western buckles, watches, jewelry, gifts, home decor and leather products in the western lifestyle industry. Montana Silversmiths is still doing American craftsmanship in Columbus but now from a sparkling production facility on the laconic banks of the Yellowstone River. The facility mimics the gem-like quality of their trophy buckles, western buckles and now jewelry, watches, gift items, home décor and western leather products.

But even with all its success, Montana Silversmiths is still known fondly in Columbus as "the buckle shop". For an inside look of the company, take a look at our Montana Silversmiths tour.

As a wholesaler, Montana Silversmiths relies on retailers like Gold Mountain Mining Co. to do public sales on their behalf. As you read this article, you will come to understand why we are so proud to represent this fine company. Through our BuildABuckle.com tool, we sell more custom trophy belt buckles for Montana Silversmiths than any retailer in the 25 countries in which the brand has outlets. Trophy buckles from BuildABuckle.com are awarded to worthy contestants in rodeos, horse clubs, schools, and even "vanity" uses for individuals. Highly customizable, the sky is the limit with trophy buckles.

Montana Silversmiths Pride

"When I came to Montana Silversmiths in 2000," says Director of Marketing Judy Wagner, "at the first meeting I participated in, people were getting awards for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of perfect attendance," she said. "I wondered, 'who are these people and why does it work like this?' Well, there's just a LOT of company pride."

The business philosophy and values at Montana Silversmiths have always included creativity, innovation, passion and hard work.

"The secret to the success of Montana Silversmiths," says Judy, "is the rock-solid relationships we have built over the years, like the one we have with Gold Mountain Mining Company. Yes, Montana Silversmiths crafts beautiful buckles and jewelry, but our other priority is to build tight relationships with our partners."

Montana Silversmiths Scholarship

It seems only natural, then, that a human-centered company like Montana Silversmiths would start a great scholarship program - the Montana Silversmiths Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship Awards for high school and college students. This program is another reflection of Montana Silversmiths core values.

It was all Judy's idea. "When my kids were in high school rodeo and college rodeo, I thought that maybe there was something we could do for kids that went beyond buckles," she told Gold Mountain Mining Co. "So we've created the Montana Silversmiths 'Everybody Wins Program.'"

A portion of every buckle purchased through the program is allocated directly to the scholarship fund. Scholarships from Montana Silversmiths are awarded for self-improvement, achieving goals, involvement in a western way of life, possessing sportsmanship skills and involvement in the community. The Montana Silversmiths Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship rewards a "can do" philosophy, which continually works on improving skills, both scholastically and personally. Those who are interested in applying should call Montana Silversmiths directly at 1-888-677-9487.

Montana Silversmiths & The PRCA, NFR & Others

In the spring of 2000, Montana Silversmiths became the "Official Silversmiths of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association." This is a true honor, and we at Gold Mountain Mining Co. proudly offer the PRCA National Finals Rodeo commemorative buckles. These limited edition buckles from Montana Silversmiths require expert craftsmanship, care, precision and several thousand man-hours to complete.