BUILD YOUR WEALTH LEARN MORE

Minnesota’s Mining Industry: Gold, Iron, Taconite, and More

MN mining has a long history, beginning with the native peoples of Minnesota. The first European settlers to arrive in Minnesota found native people already mining the area’s iron ore.

Today, taconite mining is a major industry in Minnesota, responsible for $3 billion in annual sales and thousands of jobs. In 2016, the state of Minnesota approved a new 20-year lease for the state’s largest taconite mine, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs. However, taconite is not all that has been mined in MN.

Read more »

Why and How Does Silver Tarnish, and How to Care for it

When you purchase a fine silver item or a piece of jewelry, you expect it to be an investment that stands the test of time. Silver, a popular and budget-friendly option when compared to platinum or white gold, is a go-to jewelry metal for when you want a glamourous piece that doesn’t break the bank.

However, as is the case with all metals, silver tarnishes, sometimes faster than you’d expect it to. Tarnishing is not exclusive to low purity silver–even sterling silver will tarnish. Let’s explore why silver items tarnish and how you can slow down the process, clean your silver, or get tarnished silver off your hands.

Read more »

Why is Gold Valuable?

Economies across the globe have always held gold in high regard. Even though gold mining did not have workplace technologies and the safety regulations modern companies have, they were still present in the majority of countries before the advent of flight or sailing. Throughout the ages, pirates, monarchs, and merchants have always been on the lookout for the next gold score they could attain.

When was gold discovered and why is it held in such high regard? Although some materials today are more valuable than gold, nothing can beat out gold in prestige, versatility, and aesthetic value–and its number of industrial uses.

Read more »

Is Gold Magnetic?

Gold is a metal that is found in nature. It is one of the most valuable metals in the world because it doesn’t corrode, and it has a very low reactivity to other elements. Gold also has a very low melting point, meaning it can be turned into a liquid relatively easily.

One of the most common questions about gold is whether it is magnetic or not.

Read more »