Born and raised on gold rich creeks in Alaska, Ilaura is gold prospector and fossil hunter turned jewelry designer and goldsmith. Ilaura Longley’s pieces are inspired by the idea that beauty surrounds us, all we have to do is look for it. She uses gold from small family mining claims and mammoth tusk she unearths herself at The Boneyard Alaska.
Who is Ilaura Longley?
Jewelry
“My work is organic, raw, and grounded in nature. I am drawn to imperfect textures, natural materials, and designs that feel refined yet wild. I like to highlight the unique characteristics of the raw gold or ancient materials I use in my designs.”
Buried Treasure
“Some of the most remarkable materials I work with have spent thousands of years hidden beneath the Alaskan permafrost. From Ice Age mammoth ivory to naturally formed gold nuggets, these buried treasures carry stories that span millennia.”
“Alaska is at the heart of everything I create. Growing up in the wilds of interior Alaska, surrounded by vast wilderness, gold-bearing creeks, and Ice Age history; I developed a deep connection to the land and its treasures. The raw beauty, resilience, and sense of discovery that I feel when I’m here continue to inspire every piece I make.”
"Go Play Outside" - Betty May (AKA My Grandma)
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"Go Play Outside" - Betty May (AKA My Grandma) 〰️
Alaskan Life
Ilaura grew up prospecting for gold on her family's mining claims in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2014, she and her sister, Jordan, turned their passion for gold mining into a business, founding Gold Daughters, a hands-on gold panning experience that has introduced thousands of visitors to Alaska's rich mining heritage.
Her remote Alaskan upbringing continues to inspire every aspect of her life, shaping both her work and creative pursuits. During the summer months, you'll find Ilaura prospecting for gold, searching for fossils, running her business or chasing her children and golden retriever through mud puddles. In the winter, she spends her time combing beaches for shark teeth and transforming her discoveries into one-of-a-kind jewelry designs.
Driven by a lifelong love of adventure, exploration, and the natural world, Ilaura brings the spirit of Alaska into everything she creates.
I utilize resources I find myself in Alaska for all of my pieces, including woolly mammoth tusk and natural gold nuggets. There is nothing more special than holding a piece of our Earth’s history in my hand and bringing life back to an animal that has been extinct for thousands of years through my designs.
Never underestimate the power of making a discovery.
