More than 50 years ago, Gary Gist had to make a choice between making a living as a rodeo cowboy or a silversmith. He chose silversmithing and now Gist Silversmiths is responsible for making the champion’s buckles at several big rodeos, including one of Gary’s all-time favorites: California Rodeo Salinas.
According to Sue Mayville, who works in sales for Gist Silversmiths, the buckles are made from real gold and sterling silver and they are made by hand every step of the way. All 38 of them. Mayville added that communication is essential, especially when building an heirloom someone will have forever and pass down to their children.
“It’s all the handwork that is put into it and you just don’t see it everywhere,” Mayville said. “Everybody that works at Gist Silversmith, the pride they feel in making that buckle and these people that win them, goes beyond what I can relay to you......Because you’re creating something that comes from the heart.”
The buckle’s original design came from California Rodeo Salinas and was refined by the team at the Gist.