Thank you all so much for checking out the video! If you'd like to enter to win the second ring, it's free, and linked here: kingsumo.com/g/an70ts/win-a-cerro-gordo-silver-ring I really appreciate all the support for the channel over the past year or so. I hope if you haven't already, you consider subscribing for more content around the town and beyond!
As a jeweller in Australia, I'm insanely jealous of the jeweller who got the chance to make this ring for you! What an awesome experience! I absolutely love the videos you've done on refining ore into silver. Great work :D
@@jeffreybutts1916 Pure silver or, 999 Silver, is too soft to wear as jewellery, especially as a ring. Even if they made it as a pendant, over time, the pure silver will stretch under it's own weight. Adding the copper makes it Sterling Silver at 92.5% pure silver, but gives it a lot more resistance to be worn. It's still very soft, but not so much that you could crush and bend it with your fingers. If it was me, I'd make a coin or small Cerro Gordo ingot in the pure silver and place it in a sterling or gold frame to make it a pendant.
@@jeffreybutts1916 Pure silver would be too soft and definitely wouldn't suit something as detailed as the ring made here. You would end up losing or damaging the detail that made the ring special in the first place.
But they were, all of them, deceived, for another Ring was made. In the land of California, in the fires of Chaparral Jewelry, the Dark Lord Alissa forged in secret a master Ring, to be given to a random viewer. And into this Ring she poured her cruelty, her malice and her will to dominate all life.
Was it just me, or did anyone else feel a wave of emotion when the finished ring was shown for the first time? This has been a great trip as I have been totally invested in Brent's journey since the very first episode. I impatiently look forward to many more great adventures.
Well you know, I think this was epic in a subtle way that can only be shared with people who posses the ability to appreciate a truer perception of nature and reality. Those fortunate and courageous enough to glimpse through the thin façade of human society and have gratitude and a sense of awe for the opportunity to actually BE the universe experiencing itself consciously. I'm still all choked up, as I have been on so many of Bent's @Ghost Town Living adventures. Thank you Brent!
A common misconception about abandoned mines is that they've been completely stripped of any valuable minerals, but in many cases mines become abandoned if it's simply no longer profitable to extract the wanted minerals in a large scale.
Can you imagine weirding a pickax in one, and them boom, you hit a big nugget of silver, gold, emerald, or what ever it is you were mining for there? I imagine that that could be awesome.
While this is could happen, you're sadly much more likely to get seriously injured or die in an abandoned mine... Don't go into mines if you don't know what you're doing and even then, you will never be completely safe inside a mineshaft. But yeah, that would be pretty awesome.
@@TheDirtyShaman your comment to me here reminds me of this video i saw here on youtube way back in 2009 or 2010, and it wasn't even abandoned, th-cam.com/video/B-jR0nkAxVs/w-d-xo.html
That's the marking of a proper teacher. Making it all sound real and relateable. Not just spouting words off paper, but having them relate all of the worlds history to their own real events.
@@GhostTownLiving the way you are passionate about what you are doing adds to it. The little bits and pieces down to the Levi buttons and the word around town about various things. I’ve been here sense you started and I love the journey and growth. Your teachers would be impressed!
Small mom and pops is one thing. Large corporations rip mountains to the ground to make their name in an industry ripe with corruption and destruction.
It's hard to appreciate when you haven't seen the work that goes into it. And it's not the only thing people don't appreciate in modern society. When people don't get to see their meat grow up and get butchered, the amazing care and dedication needed to produce fruit and veggies and everything else we just stroll down to a store and buy for some made up bits through the internet.
This was an amazing process. Bringing back “How It’s Made” on a whole new scale. Many forget the processes of how something is made or extracting raw material to enjoy the things we have today. Bravo!
@@drpepper0505 I'm surprised it made it alive in the original box. If someone accidently puts that on the sorting system at my FedEx location it woulda been done for and would lost a lot of it lol
I’m pretty sure the miners from back then would be proud of the hard work you’re putting into to keep their life, history, and story alive. This series is fun to watch and learn about.
Yes those old timey ghosts honor him and that's why they don't haunt him in the Mine shaft...he spent a night 700' down Mine just for the heck of it. I would have been terrified.
@@cchavezjr7 wellll.. they are probably jealous of all the toxic waste the batteries in those tools produced. 1 ton of rare earth=100 tons of toxic waste.
You went from a "mining" guy to a "mining" AND "metals" guy and have achieved EPIC greatness by completing the full process from mining the ore out to purification and finally production of a silver ring that not only symbolizes a FULL completion of an ore but also is historic because it has been DECADES since anything was produced from that mine ! Cerro Gordo is just the BEGINNING !
Wow.. They say you learn something new every day... But I just learned A TON!! You're such a nice guy, Brent. Your connection with Cerro Gordo is so... 'present'..in every video. CG is your true love ❤️❤️❤️ And I appreciate that you share your journey with us. Thank you! XX Love and prayers from Australia!🙏🏻 🇦🇺❤️🇺🇸
It really struck me as almost strange to see Brett in a modern hotel room, after only having 'known' him in the other world of Cerro Gordo :) This was such a cool video!
You need to mark the inside of the rings with "Cerro Gordo mountain topo map" so in 150 years when someone finds one they will know what it represents. Stories can be lost to time so engraving the rings will be a way to make sure the story of the rings aren't lost or at least it will be known what mountain topography map is on the rings. Better yet you could have Cerro Gordo engraved on the outside of the ring with Cerro on one side of the mountain and Gordo on the other. That would for sure make it known what's represented on the rings. Very cool video. Stay well. -Wil 👍
As someone with an interest in mining and geology history, it warms my heart to see this happen. If you haven't already, you should invite youtuber and prospector Dan Hurd over to Cerro Gordo to do a collab on how miners back in the day prospected for galena, before the first shafts were sunk into the local wildlands.
Jeff Williams would probably be better, because not only is he an actual geologist with a in depth understanding of the area, he actually lives right by Cerro Gordo as opposed to BC, Canada (where Dan Hurd resides).
Wow! I can't believe I've gone from watching Josh and friends explore Cerro Gordo to seeing you start building back the hotel and actually mining for Galena then turning it into an actual ring. Simply fantastic!
Brent, I learned so much in these 32 or so minutes about what it takes to go from mine to finger that my brain is ready to 'splode. That ring is beyond effing AMAZING! Good luck to those entering, and an early congrats to the winner. And you're right - I hope that person cherishes it as well, as I would if I were lucky enough.
I have to admit that I was a bit emotional when the ring was revealed. It’s amazing how much work and energy went into this. I can’t imagine what it was like 5000 years ago. Bryan from Vancouver
As a retired postal worker I can relate to the shipped boxes. I worked in processing priority mail, handling those flat rate boxes.. And spent some time in a unit that repaired boxes damaged in shipping. I was not surprised when I saw them.
I like the video before i even watch it when its you Brent i know your videos are youtube gold thank you for sharing your life at cerro gordo with us all from UK 🇬🇧
His facial expressions show how he’s truly happy. It’s not faked in anyway. He’s just that happy and excited. Him happy makes me happy. He seems like such a genuine person.
Watching the metal being melted, handled, cooled is about the most psychedelic photography I've ever seen on TH-cam (or anywhere else). Really beautiful, all of it. Thanks for reminding everyone fortunate enough to come across this video that the world is made of magic.
@@bendover6987 he did not have a million to blow !!! it was 1.4 million and he borrowed and spent a lot of peoples life savings to get Cerro Gordo and i am sure he has a big mortgage to pay every month !!!
Hello from Canada. Watching your progress is exciting. The history is unbelievable. I sit here on the wide open prairies of saskatchewn with my mind racing a hundred mile an hour of how these people survived and thrived back in the day. Great adventure.
You aught to write fiction with that kind of passion! That's not sarcasm, in fact it's quite the opposite, deep feelings like that ought to be put to good use not just for you but for your future readers!
@@GhostTownLiving my mom called it God's country. We have green grass...lol but no big mountains and snow from next week til April. What you are doing is outstanding. I hope to take trip there some day.
Brent, this video brought me to tears, especially the ring part. That's such a beautiful journey for you. I can't describe how happy I am every time I see a video of yours drop. Thank you for sharing your exceptional story with us.
This was incredible to watch. The ring is beautiful indeed with the map carving. Such a long process to refine it and I was blown away to see what all was involved!
I grew up out in Los Angeles, CA and often passed those mines. It’s a thrill to watch your journey unfold. You’re a a deep, self reliant person, cut from the same cloth as those miners before you. I want that other ring!
On my journey of TH-cam randomes through years, you have been refreshing content maker and bringing so much of valuable information about history to us. I'm glad to see this paying out for you big time and that ring is just icing on the cake, very beatiful and special one, that map on it is well thought idea. Thank you for showing us this journey + giving us real history of silver mining in general. Please keep going and doing this
i’m so happy that this was a great experience for you, every time i see the city grow in every episode it makes me so much happier, keep doing what you do and don’t stop.
I think that what's so special about these videos is, maybe to someone you're just "that crazy guy who bought a ghost town". But against how most people would want to live their lives, you went out and sought this life out to learn and educate. Nobody had to pay you to do it or incentivize it, but you did it out of your own interest and motivation. It's something I would wish for more people to have. Some lives don't lend themselves to a family life and not everyone will have the means/ opportunity, but it shows how we can pursue an exploration of the world, of humanity, and share that knowledge with everyone else. And at the very least, to show that we can make our living in so many different ways, that life can be so diverse outside the 9-5.
I'm so glad that you've come so far. Been absolutely one of the coolest things to follow you on this 2 year Journey. I was absolutely excited when you starting first exploration in the "missing" mines. Love you and what you do! Keep it up Brent!
I'm a "modern day" gold miner. Started in a lab, went underground for 10 years back on surface for over 3 now. Assaying is still basically done exactly the same. Some are smaller scale some are larger. Same process. Amazing huh?
How realistic are the Gold Rush shows on discovery? I'm hopelessly addicted to them for their entertainment value (especially when the Hoffman's we're still on lmao) and always wondered how much money they take from show salary to finance their seasons. I mean sometimes they find literally no gold all season then magically they are back again the following year after proclaiming that they were thousands in debt the previous year haha and the white water guys, a good season they are just breaking even.. seems like Parker and the legend Tony Beets are the only guys could actually make it work without cash infusions from the show (directly or indirectly anyways...)
@@TioMogi from my perspective0 they're terribly staged. But, they are private operations and the rules they have are a little different from what we have to follow with MSHA. There is Definitely a HUGE part of drama that is added just for views. Especially with the equipment. I'm a trainer and there's No Way I'd let someone run some of the things they do...
Recovering from lung cancer surgery and discovered your videos. I love em. Been watching TH-cam videos for some time but never seen any that I've enjoyed more. Thanks bro.
This video has been my favorite to date! You have grown so much as a storyteller and video maker on this channel and this video is the most evident of that. Thanks for the amazing stories and for being both interesting and inspirational.
I found it absolutely fascinating and somewhat emotional. That comes from you Brent. Your passion and heart truly shines through and the whole subject is addictive. Thank you so much for sharing the history of Cerro Gordo. ❤️ Dorset, UK
Absolutely 💯 gorgeous! What a magnificent ring. It makes those who worked the mines in the old days appreciated. Love this video! Loved the B roll information! Loved watching the refining process! Loved watch the metamorphosis from a bead of silver transformed into such a stunning ring! Thank you, Brent, for letting us all be wowed from start to finish! 👍😃👏💫
I skip around to different video between your postings. My name is Steve and I am a DoD civilian employee for a U.S military, in Okinawa. I work and live her with my wonderful wife and four children. This video moved me. Once the ring was complete, I had the feeling of joy pretty close to the level you had. It's definitely amazing. From the beginning process to the end process, truly magnificent. If I would have been following you a year ago, I truly would have loved to have a ring like that. Truly amazing, congratulations.
You’re killing me with the dramatic music and all the feels 😂😭 That was an awesome process to see and the ring itself came out gorgeous 🥺 Thanks for the videos brent!
Brent, I love to see how much this history and this project legitimately and honestly excites you and how real your enthusiasm is. It's really refreshing and your videos give me something to seriously look forward to. Thank you.
How beautiful! I am a silver bug. Watching the process really makes you appreciate just how precious silver is! One troy ounce of pure silver today goes for $25.00 and to compare he only had about 13 grams and 31.1 grams is a troy ounce! It is a steal in my opinion. Silver is used in so many of today's technologies. Some experts claim that we could run out of it in the near future making it the first natural mineral that humans see go extinct. Thank you for taking us along with you through the process, I am awe struck.
It brought me into tears of the entire process of getting the silver, and the way miners would risk their life getting the ore out. We take it for granted now days, and it is the miners who gave us this easy life. We think we have it hard, and that is totally wrong. Thank you!
I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy watching this channel! I love all the hard work and effort you put into making some thing so memorable and so special. I hope the person that wins it realizes what they have. I can’t wait to be able to come and stay at Cerro Gordo someday!
It is amazing to think that the Egyptian people way back then knew how to do what you did in this video. It's awesome that you did this. It's not only a reminder for you... It also pays tribute to ALL the miners from back in the day that worked the mine you now own. #RESPECT
I have thoroughly enjoyed following your journey. That gallena is so pretty. Maybe someday I can see it in person. I'm glad you learned the process of smelting the material down to pure silver, and that you had something so special made out of it.
Brent, that was an absolutely incredible video! Thank you so much for sharing your passion with all of us! I hope that I get to wear the second amazing ring.
That was incredibly interesting! Your ring is beautiful. It took a miner, 3 artists, and a lot of work to produce. Between your channel and Dave Sparks' channel I've become enchanted with Cerro Gordo. I've always believed real life is more interesting than fiction. You have proven that right here in this video. Stay safe, and thanks for the entertainment.
Thank you Brent! Although my grandfather and great gradfather were silver miners, I never knew how silver was extracted. It was fasinating to watch all the steps and how little silver there is in a LOT of ore. You are an inspiration!!
_I love it when TH-cam throws me something cool to watch. I was drawn in by your enthusiasm and enthralled by the story. To see the final result was amazing then to find out there's another ring that I could win was thrilling. You have a new sub brother!_
Wow are you in for a treat mate, dive into his back catalogue it's such good viewing every video is excellent. Wait until you watch some of the actual mine exploration videos where he pulled this silver out of 👌My personal faves are still the ones about the actual town though, I love watching him rebuild it
Great video, Brent! What an emotional process that was. So awesome that you got to experience that and thank you for taking us along on one of your adventures once again. Best wishes
You really are living the life! I just stumbled onto your video one day, 3 weeks ago and I’ve been watching non stop and sharing your adventures with my mom. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with the world. Greetings from The Netherlands.
I just now found this channel yesterday, and I wish I knew about this sooner but I wanna say I am addicted because I love old towns, especially haunted ones with full of history and this is making me inspired to do a lot of things that I dreamt about for years. Hopefully one day I will get to see Cerro Gordo and many other towns alike. I'm looking forward to more videos and updates!
I have so much respect for this guy, the way he tackles life with excitement and the way he gives a deeper meaning to everything he does. Man! What an example
The world could go to chaos in a zombie apocalypse and Brent would just be up in the mines, living his best life, and rediscovering historical arts and sciences.
if I was ever lucky enough to win such a beautiful piece of jewellery from such an amazing place as the Cerro Gordo mine, I would wear it with pride and it would be a very treasured possession that I would pass down to my daughter, I would even ask her to pass it down to her children. You are amazing doing what you are doing at Cerro Gordo. X
I'm so moved for your journey in general and this specific one. Leaving Galena piece there, I wish I could be in the area to run immediately there and take it! I wish to the one having it and the one winning the ring to enjoy and have the same joy you got doing the full Galena/ring process. Your journey is bigger than life. Thanks Brent
You could probably turn some of the old wood into some interesting pendants, beads, bracelets, imagine owning jewellery made from history like that, they would sell incredibly well
@@tadcooper9733 theres a lot of wood im sure cant be used for anything, having seen his videos its lying everywhere, one plank could make a few hundred small pieces of jewellery, hes not gonna be pulling down buildings for it
I've worked metal before, you holding your little baby ingot in your hand reminded me of the pride I felt in taking trash and making a beautiful metal product.
I always enjoy your content as your passion is palpable. The ring is beautiful but knowing it’s journey and the meaning behind its design makes it priceless. I hope whoever wins it loves it as much as Brent does.
I don’t know if even one other channel that the person who’s in it is as genuine as he is.. his smile makes me smile. He is that person that seems like he’s never had a bad day.
Yay it’s Brentday! Best day of the week! You bring so much joy to so many of us. Your positive bubbly personality is intoxicating. We appreciate you more than you know! 💜💜💜
You don’t cease to amaze me! When I started watching you in the beginning I thought to myself “how much can he really do hear? Where will he get content? Well, you’ve blown me & millions of others away. Clearly, this is where you were meant to be and your ambassadorship in Cerro Gordo was aimed at introducing its history to the the world putting it on the map again. Visiting Cerro Gordo is on my bucket list now. CHEERS 🥂 🍻 🥃 to meeting you along the way!
It feels weird seeing Brent in a city. But I like that we are meeting new characters and places as this series progresses. This channel has never failed to captivate me.
29:22 The mixture between this adventure and the music playing at the final part of the Ring being displayed actually made me emotional. But not in a bad way. it was like something being born or being reborn to be more exact. Excellent video.
Just a suggestion without knowing the time or money constraints of making one but I feel like Johnny should also get one if you're making another as he was such an integral part of the early beginnings of this channel and especially all the mine exploration Just my 2 cents but I feel he deserves one even more than someone from the audience
What a fascinating process to watch! Thank you for taking us on that journey with you, Brent. And thanks to the amazing crafts people who enabled the creation of such a special piece of Cerro Gordo.
This is the best episode yet! I love following your journey and think the wealth of history and knowledge you can share with these videos keeps getting better. Keep it up, biggest inspiration on TH-cam.
Watching you through the marvelous journey of obtaining, refining and shaping a precious metal that's been created in the core of a dying star billions of years ago really put a smile on my face! Seeing how challenging this process can be, it's crazy to think that our ancestors were able to do that millenia ago without any of our modern facilities. You made yourself one of the best gifts ever - a silver ring filled with invaluable history, both stellar and human.
EARTH or URANTIA is a fire planet and there are only a handful of states in America where silver and gold has been found near the surface. I think only 4-5. Imagine when we had real silver coins or a gold standard.
Thanks Brent, I worked in a smelter was a was a teenager to save money for university. I studied chem and metallurgy. This vid was a real joy to watch(60 years later). Thank u for rekindling the great memories. All the best
Thank you, for everything you do. I remember that first day you were driving up in the snow, and to see how far you've come is so heartwarming. The American Hotel burned right before my birthday and it's so crazy because I remembered having a dream of fire - and waking up to your video in shock. I'm so grateful that you're the owner and caretaker of Cerro Gordo. You're truly making something beautiful from the ashes of what was. Thank you for all you're doing and also creating these videos so we can share in your adventure.
I suppose it's none too surprising on virtue of the tagline "The Artist" but you have a delightfully pretty profile picture and a way with colors I could only hope to achieve some day. I wish you well in your doodly endeavors my friend.
Congratulations Brent! What a great collaboration! Can't imagine how chuffed you must be when you look at that on your finger and think about the 18 month journey that led to it's creation. Top draw sir! Top draw! 👏👏👏👏
Further proof that every job is essential. The amount of people, creativity, labor, goods and services to produce a ring all the way from mining, logistics, refining, and creation of jewelry. True economics at work.
Also the silver that went into that ring was mined and refined at possibly the least efficiency possible. Of course profitability wasn't the point to this work.
Thank you all so much for checking out the video! If you'd like to enter to win the second ring, it's free, and linked here: kingsumo.com/g/an70ts/win-a-cerro-gordo-silver-ring
I really appreciate all the support for the channel over the past year or so. I hope if you haven't already, you consider subscribing for more content around the town and beyond!
One of your best videos Brent! Captivating!
Wow .so interesting I'm saving up some money and hope too visit your town some time in the future...keep up the hard and good work 👏
The wireless intercoms should be in your mailbox Brent. Along with a few Christmas items! Enjoy and Good Luck!
I want to visit cero gordo so bad.
just so u know i started watching u 13 monts ago i think ur crazy and i love it thanks for making my life better
This was a great mix of the best parts of this channel: history, craftsmanship, and community. Be well, everyone.
As a jeweller in Australia, I'm insanely jealous of the jeweller who got the chance to make this ring for you! What an awesome experience! I absolutely love the videos you've done on refining ore into silver. Great work :D
Why couldn't they keep it pure silver?
@@jeffreybutts1916 Pure silver or, 999 Silver, is too soft to wear as jewellery, especially as a ring. Even if they made it as a pendant, over time, the pure silver will stretch under it's own weight. Adding the copper makes it Sterling Silver at 92.5% pure silver, but gives it a lot more resistance to be worn. It's still very soft, but not so much that you could crush and bend it with your fingers.
If it was me, I'd make a coin or small Cerro Gordo ingot in the pure silver and place it in a sterling or gold frame to make it a pendant.
@@jeffreybutts1916 Pure silver would be too soft and definitely wouldn't suit something as detailed as the ring made here. You would end up losing or damaging the detail that made the ring special in the first place.
@@aronk3688 I like that idea of pure silver with a frame! Very cool.
@@jeffreybutts1916 the same reason you dont want a pure gold ring, to soft.
He's done it! He's made the ONE RING! It can only be destoyed by casting into the 900 level of the Cierra Gordo mines!
Brent's PRECIOUS??
and you have my backo!
But they were, all of them, deceived, for another Ring was made. In the land of California, in the fires of Chaparral Jewelry, the Dark Lord Alissa forged in secret a master Ring, to be given to a random viewer. And into this Ring she poured her cruelty, her malice and her will to dominate all life.
N
No, it has to be deeper. The unfound 1100 level is one only place.
Lol He's gonna take over the whole world! Lol ;)
Brent is infectiously likable and yet at the same time a remarkably quiet LEADER. Very impressive.
Those jewelers are so talented!! What a wonderful way to honor your home.
Agree. On a side note, the Freedom Factory is looking awesome.
Gonna take some time off from Florida to do a collaboration in Cerro Gordo once it's time to clean up after construction?
LCN!!! I relaxed and did my weekly mow, with your LCN sticker on my Honda.
Fark, proper clever ones... ✌️😄
ofc the first reply is a bot lmao
Was it just me, or did anyone else feel a wave of emotion when the finished ring was shown for the first time?
This has been a great trip as I have been totally invested in Brent's journey since the very first episode.
I impatiently look forward to many more great adventures.
yes....(as I scuff my foot on the floor).....I got teary eyed! (:
Well you know, I think this was epic in a subtle way that can only be shared with people who posses the ability to appreciate a truer perception of nature and reality. Those fortunate and courageous enough to glimpse through the thin façade of human society and have gratitude and a sense of awe for the opportunity to actually BE the universe experiencing itself consciously. I'm still all choked up, as I have been on so many of Bent's @Ghost Town Living adventures. Thank you Brent!
A common misconception about abandoned mines is that they've been completely stripped of any valuable minerals, but in many cases mines become abandoned if it's simply no longer profitable to extract the wanted minerals in a large scale.
Interesting.
Can you imagine weirding a pickax in one, and them boom, you hit a big nugget of silver, gold, emerald, or what ever it is you were mining for there? I imagine that that could be awesome.
While this is could happen, you're sadly much more likely to get seriously injured or die in an abandoned mine...
Don't go into mines if you don't know what you're doing and even then, you will never be completely safe inside a mineshaft.
But yeah, that would be pretty awesome.
@@TheDirtyShaman your comment to me here reminds me of this video i saw here on youtube way back in 2009 or 2010, and it wasn't even abandoned,
th-cam.com/video/B-jR0nkAxVs/w-d-xo.html
Very true! If the silver/gold per ton ratio becomes low enough, mining operations will be ended at that site as it is no longer viable.
That timelapse around 18:00 of the metal cooling is mesmerizing
Convection cells, really pretty.
It was amazing
It made me hungry.
like looking at the surface of the sun. so primal
better than my lava lamp
I always hated school, but I can listen to Brent’s history lessons all day long by accident 😂
For realll
That's the marking of a proper teacher. Making it all sound real and relateable. Not just spouting words off paper, but having them relate all of the worlds history to their own real events.
Oh wow, thank you. That means a lot. I'm sure my parents (both teachers) would enjoy reading that haha
@@GhostTownLiving the way you are passionate about what you are doing adds to it. The little bits and pieces down to the Levi buttons and the word around town about various things. I’ve been here sense you started and I love the journey and growth. Your teachers would be impressed!
Ongggg
The amount of energy that goes into such a small thing is insane. It brings a new understanding to the phrase "precious metal".
Small mom and pops is one thing. Large corporations rip mountains to the ground to make their name in an industry ripe with corruption and destruction.
It's hard to appreciate when you haven't seen the work that goes into it. And it's not the only thing people don't appreciate in modern society. When people don't get to see their meat grow up and get butchered, the amazing care and dedication needed to produce fruit and veggies and everything else we just stroll down to a store and buy for some made up bits through the internet.
and they say bitcoin mining is bad
Brent really seems like a genuine soul. I'd love to hangout with him and explore. Great guy.
@@mr2981 I feel bad for you I really do you will never be like Brent you have to much grudge in your soul.
This was an amazing process. Bringing back “How It’s Made” on a whole new scale.
Many forget the processes of how something is made or extracting raw material to enjoy the things we have today. Bravo!
Postman: What’s in those boxes… lead bricks?!
Jason: Yes.
As a letter carrier I appreciate him using USPS but at the same time I feel bad for the carrier who had to deliver those boxes! 😂😂
@@drpepper0505 I'm surprised it made it alive in the original box. If someone accidently puts that on the sorting system at my FedEx location it woulda been done for and would lost a lot of it lol
Fun fact, Someone did the math at one point and for most of the flat rate boxes, their weight limits wouldn't be possible even with lead.
I’m pretty sure the miners from back then would be proud of the hard work you’re putting into to keep their life, history, and story alive. This series is fun to watch and learn about.
Yes those old timey ghosts honor him and that's why they don't haunt him in the Mine shaft...he spent a night 700' down Mine just for the heck of it. I would have been terrified.
I will bet that they would be pissed they did not have battery powered hand tools
@@jamesgillespy4178 That's what I was thinking. They're not proud, they're mad haha
@@cchavezjr7 wellll.. they are probably jealous of all the toxic waste the batteries in those tools produced. 1 ton of rare earth=100 tons of toxic waste.
You went from a "mining" guy to a "mining" AND "metals" guy and have achieved EPIC greatness by completing the full process from mining the ore out to purification and finally production of a silver ring that not only symbolizes a FULL completion of an ore but also is historic because it has been DECADES since anything was produced from that mine ! Cerro Gordo is just the BEGINNING !
Wow.. They say you learn something new every day...
But I just learned A TON!!
You're such a nice guy, Brent. Your connection with Cerro Gordo is so... 'present'..in every video. CG is your true love ❤️❤️❤️
And I appreciate that you share your journey with us. Thank you! XX
Love and prayers from Australia!🙏🏻
🇦🇺❤️🇺🇸
It really struck me as almost strange to see Brett in a modern hotel room, after only having 'known' him in the other world of Cerro Gordo :)
This was such a cool video!
Truth
Duck out of water 💦 so to speak lol 👍👀
@Repent Repent All hail Satan
You need to mark the inside of the rings with "Cerro Gordo mountain topo map" so in 150 years when someone finds one they will know what it represents. Stories can be lost to time so engraving the rings will be a way to make sure the story of the rings aren't lost or at least it will be known what mountain topography map is on the rings. Better yet you could have Cerro Gordo engraved on the outside of the ring with Cerro on one side of the mountain and Gordo on the other. That would for sure make it known what's represented on the rings. Very cool video.
Stay well. -Wil 👍
Agree
I think the mystery of working out what it is will be more fun
As someone with an interest in mining and geology history, it warms my heart to see this happen. If you haven't already, you should invite youtuber and prospector Dan Hurd over to Cerro Gordo to do a collab on how miners back in the day prospected for galena, before the first shafts were sunk into the local wildlands.
Jeff Williams would probably be better, because not only is he an actual geologist with a in depth understanding of the area, he actually lives right by Cerro Gordo as opposed to BC, Canada (where Dan Hurd resides).
Do you know who invented the process of extracting silver from galena, and if so how they came upon it?
Yes to Dan Hurd visiting.
@@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917 Why not both!
Wow! I can't believe I've gone from watching Josh and friends explore Cerro Gordo to seeing you start building back the hotel and actually mining for Galena then turning it into an actual ring. Simply fantastic!
Brent, I learned so much in these 32 or so minutes about what it takes to go from mine to finger that my brain is ready to 'splode. That ring is beyond effing AMAZING! Good luck to those entering, and an early congrats to the winner. And you're right - I hope that person cherishes it as well, as I would if I were lucky enough.
I have to admit that I was a bit emotional when the ring was revealed. It’s amazing how much work and energy went into this. I can’t imagine what it was like 5000 years ago.
Bryan from Vancouver
As a retired postal worker I can relate to the shipped boxes. I worked in processing priority mail, handling those flat rate boxes.. And spent some time in a unit that repaired boxes damaged in shipping. I was not surprised when I saw them.
LOVE THAT YOU SHOWED US FROM START TO FINISH IN ONE VIDEO (TH-camrs nowadays would’ve made it a four part series!!😂)
I like the video before i even watch it when its you Brent i know your videos are youtube gold thank you for sharing your life at cerro gordo with us all from UK 🇬🇧
Same here!!🔥me up!!
Oh my gosh! Who’s cutting onions??? So much emotion seeing the pride and feeling Brent has.
Same here, very moving seeing the whole process and learning to appreciate everything about it!
His facial expressions show how he’s truly happy. It’s not faked in anyway. He’s just that happy and excited. Him happy makes me happy. He seems like such a genuine person.
Watching the metal being melted, handled, cooled is about the most psychedelic photography I've ever seen on TH-cam (or anywhere else). Really beautiful, all of it. Thanks for reminding everyone fortunate enough to come across this video that the world is made of magic.
I love that you BOUGHT a ghost town just to preserve and teach about history. That is so awesome!
I wish I had a million to waste on a mine . Dont forget suckers to fund it
@@bendover6987 he did not have a million to blow !!! it was 1.4 million and he borrowed and spent a lot of peoples life savings to get Cerro Gordo and i am sure he has a big mortgage to pay every month !!!
Preserve the ghost town? He's exploiting it, plans to build a suburb, the ole-town is doomed!
@@chadsimmons6347 where did you hear this?
@@johnnylego807 I heard he's not even vaccinated
This guy is living the dream, but one hell of a difficult one...
Maximum respects
I'm so jealous of his life
Hello from Canada. Watching your progress is exciting. The history is unbelievable. I sit here on the wide open prairies of saskatchewn with my mind racing a hundred mile an hour of how these people survived and thrived back in the day. Great adventure.
You aught to write fiction with that kind of passion! That's not sarcasm, in fact it's quite the opposite, deep feelings like that ought to be put to good use not just for you but for your future readers!
@@joesmoe71lol thanks. Maybe I should
Thanks! I bet those prairies are beautiful.
@@GhostTownLiving my mom called it God's country. We have green grass...lol but no big mountains and snow from next week til April. What you are doing is outstanding. I hope to take trip there some day.
We would love to do this with galena from out local lead mines here in the UK. You did an amazing job! Thanks so much for sharing! Gail & Alex xx
Brent, this video brought me to tears, especially the ring part. That's such a beautiful journey for you. I can't describe how happy I am every time I see a video of yours drop. Thank you for sharing your exceptional story with us.
This was incredible to watch. The ring is beautiful indeed with the map carving. Such a long process to refine it and I was blown away to see what all was involved!
I grew up out in Los Angeles, CA and often passed those mines. It’s a thrill to watch your journey unfold. You’re a a deep, self reliant person, cut from the same cloth as those miners before you. I want that other ring!
Dude I totally respect what you're doing and understand the fascination with the process. Mad respect from Czech Republic! :)
On my journey of TH-cam randomes through years, you have been refreshing content maker and bringing so much of valuable information about history to us. I'm glad to see this paying out for you big time and that ring is just icing on the cake, very beatiful and special one, that map on it is well thought idea. Thank you for showing us this journey + giving us real history of silver mining in general. Please keep going and doing this
i’m so happy that this was a great experience for you, every time i see the city grow in every episode it makes me so much happier, keep doing what you do and don’t stop.
I’ve never really cared to travel to America but now I would go just to see Cerro Gordo alone. Thanks for another great video Brent!
The American southwest is beautiful. The desert Is a wonderful place to be. Its very cleansing.
I think that what's so special about these videos is, maybe to someone you're just "that crazy guy who bought a ghost town". But against how most people would want to live their lives, you went out and sought this life out to learn and educate. Nobody had to pay you to do it or incentivize it, but you did it out of your own interest and motivation. It's something I would wish for more people to have. Some lives don't lend themselves to a family life and not everyone will have the means/ opportunity, but it shows how we can pursue an exploration of the world, of humanity, and share that knowledge with everyone else. And at the very least, to show that we can make our living in so many different ways, that life can be so diverse outside the 9-5.
I'm so glad that you've come so far. Been absolutely one of the coolest things to follow you on this 2 year Journey. I was absolutely excited when you starting first exploration in the "missing" mines. Love you and what you do! Keep it up Brent!
Love the design choice. She did an amazing job helping you show a bit more of your towns history thanks for sharing.
I'm a "modern day" gold miner. Started in a lab, went underground for 10 years back on surface for over 3 now. Assaying is still basically done exactly the same. Some are smaller scale some are larger. Same process. Amazing huh?
The more things change, the more they stay the same...
How realistic are the Gold Rush shows on discovery? I'm hopelessly addicted to them for their entertainment value (especially when the Hoffman's we're still on lmao) and always wondered how much money they take from show salary to finance their seasons. I mean sometimes they find literally no gold all season then magically they are back again the following year after proclaiming that they were thousands in debt the previous year haha and the white water guys, a good season they are just breaking even.. seems like Parker and the legend Tony Beets are the only guys could actually make it work without cash infusions from the show (directly or indirectly anyways...)
@@TioMogi they’re staged that’s all I know
@@TioMogi from my perspective0 they're terribly staged. But, they are private operations and the rules they have are a little different from what we have to follow with MSHA. There is Definitely a HUGE part of drama that is added just for views. Especially with the equipment. I'm a trainer and there's No Way I'd let someone run some of the things they do...
Recovering from lung cancer surgery and discovered your videos. I love em. Been watching TH-cam videos for some time but never seen any that I've enjoyed more. Thanks bro.
This video has been my favorite to date! You have grown so much as a storyteller and video maker on this channel and this video is the most evident of that. Thanks for the amazing stories and for being both interesting and inspirational.
I found it absolutely fascinating and somewhat emotional. That comes from you Brent. Your passion and heart truly shines through and the whole subject is addictive. Thank you so much for sharing the history of Cerro Gordo. ❤️ Dorset, UK
the same from me! ❤️
Absolutely 💯 gorgeous! What a magnificent ring. It makes those who worked the mines in the old days appreciated. Love this video! Loved the B roll information! Loved watching the refining process! Loved watch the metamorphosis from a bead of silver transformed into such a stunning ring! Thank you, Brent, for letting us all be wowed from start to finish! 👍😃👏💫
I skip around to different video between your postings. My name is Steve and I am a DoD civilian employee for a U.S military, in Okinawa. I work and live her with my wonderful wife and four children. This video moved me. Once the ring was complete, I had the feeling of joy pretty close to the level you had. It's definitely amazing. From the beginning process to the end process, truly magnificent. If I would have been following you a year ago, I truly would have loved to have a ring like that. Truly amazing, congratulations.
You’re killing me with the dramatic music and all the feels 😂😭 That was an awesome process to see and the ring itself came out gorgeous 🥺 Thanks for the videos brent!
I like how you constantly catch every new subscriber up without boring us that have been here for awhile! You are killing it Brent!
Brent, I love to see how much this history and this project legitimately and honestly excites you and how real your enthusiasm is. It's really refreshing and your videos give me something to seriously look forward to.
Thank you.
How beautiful! I am a silver bug. Watching the process really makes you appreciate just how precious silver is! One troy ounce of pure silver today goes for $25.00 and to compare he only had about 13 grams and 31.1 grams is a troy ounce! It is a steal in my opinion. Silver is used in so many of today's technologies. Some experts claim that we could run out of it in the near future making it the first natural mineral that humans see go extinct. Thank you for taking us along with you through the process, I am awe struck.
That ring is absolutely gorgeous. But the fact that it's the work of many people coming together makes it really special.
Him just holding this little lump of silver he found and made out in awe the whole way home and back is the most wholesome thing
Brought tears to my eyes when she stamped that ring for you. Mission accomplished... wahoo !! 👏👏👏 I guess you have an “Active” productive mine ....😁
I get so claustrophobic watching Brent go down into the old mines, but I can’t stop watching.
You're extremely creative and the topography was an excellent idea. What a beautiful, special ring that you created!! God bless Brent.
It brought me into tears of the entire process of getting the silver, and the way miners would risk their life
getting the ore out. We take it for granted now days, and it is the miners who gave us this easy life. We think we have it hard, and that is totally wrong. Thank you!
I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy watching this channel! I love all the hard work and effort you put into making some thing so memorable and so special. I hope the person that wins it realizes what they have. I can’t wait to be able to come and stay at Cerro Gordo someday!
It is amazing to think that the Egyptian people way back then knew how to do what you did in this video. It's awesome that you did this. It's not only a reminder for you... It also pays tribute to ALL the miners from back in the day that worked the mine you now own. #RESPECT
Jason's a good guy. I never tire of watching him melt down metals.
I have thoroughly enjoyed following your journey. That gallena is so pretty. Maybe someday I can see it in person. I'm glad you learned the process of smelting the material down to pure silver, and that you had something so special made out of it.
Brent, that was an absolutely incredible video! Thank you so much for sharing your passion with all of us! I hope that I get to wear the second amazing ring.
That was incredibly interesting!
Your ring is beautiful.
It took a miner, 3 artists, and a lot of work to produce.
Between your channel and Dave Sparks' channel I've become enchanted with Cerro Gordo.
I've always believed real life is more interesting than fiction. You have proven that right here in this video.
Stay safe, and thanks for the entertainment.
Thank you Brent! Although my grandfather and great gradfather were silver miners, I never knew how silver was extracted. It was fasinating to watch all the steps and how little silver there is in a LOT of ore. You are an inspiration!!
_I love it when TH-cam throws me something cool to watch. I was drawn in by your enthusiasm and enthralled by the story. To see the final result was amazing then to find out there's another ring that I could win was thrilling. You have a new sub brother!_
Wow are you in for a treat mate, dive into his back catalogue it's such good viewing every video is excellent. Wait until you watch some of the actual mine exploration videos where he pulled this silver out of 👌My personal faves are still the ones about the actual town though, I love watching him rebuild it
Great video, Brent! What an emotional process that was. So awesome that you got to experience that and thank you for taking us along on one of your adventures once again. Best wishes
The ring looks awesome. It’s detailed and thick, it’s must feel good to wear something you helped create from rocks.
You really are living the life! I just stumbled onto your video one day, 3 weeks ago and I’ve been watching non stop and sharing your adventures with my mom. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with the world. Greetings from The Netherlands.
I just now found this channel yesterday, and I wish I knew about this sooner but I wanna say I am addicted because I love old towns, especially haunted ones with full of history and this is making me inspired to do a lot of things that I dreamt about for years. Hopefully one day I will get to see Cerro Gordo and many other towns alike. I'm looking forward to more videos and updates!
You need to go binge watch ALL of them. They are so interesting, inspiring, entertaining, and informative. I would say, start from the beginning.
I have so much respect for this guy, the way he tackles life with excitement and the way he gives a deeper meaning to everything he does. Man! What an example
The world could go to chaos in a zombie apocalypse and Brent would just be up in the mines, living his best life, and rediscovering historical arts and sciences.
if I was ever lucky enough to win such a beautiful piece of jewellery from such an amazing place as the Cerro Gordo mine, I would wear it with pride and it would be a very treasured possession that I would pass down to my daughter, I would even ask her to pass it down to her children. You are amazing doing what you are doing at Cerro Gordo. X
I'm so moved for your journey in general and this specific one. Leaving Galena piece there, I wish I could be in the area to run immediately there and take it! I wish to the one having it and the one winning the ring to enjoy and have the same joy you got doing the full Galena/ring process. Your journey is bigger than life. Thanks Brent
It's all the little cool things he does to share with all of us and whoever's the lucky recipient of the hidden treasure under the post 💙
He has such a generous soul.
You could probably turn some of the old wood into some interesting pendants, beads, bracelets, imagine owning jewellery made from history like that, they would sell incredibly well
I wouldn't encourage picking away at Cerro Gordo piece by piece.
He does sell little bits like that I'm sure
@@tadcooper9733 by picking away way you mean mining the good stuff to sell for profit? hang on isn't that what made Cerro Gordo?
@@tadcooper9733 theres a lot of wood im sure cant be used for anything, having seen his videos its lying everywhere, one plank could make a few hundred small pieces of jewellery, hes not gonna be pulling down buildings for it
I bet the old wood would be more valuable lol
I've worked metal before, you holding your little baby ingot in your hand reminded me of the pride I felt in taking trash and making a beautiful metal product.
this was ore-inspiring.
honestly, thankyou for doing this. im proud to share the modern world with someone so honestly passionate.
Great pun!
@Russell White Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck! Hey Moe!!
+1 for that joke,
dad
I always enjoy your content as your passion is palpable.
The ring is beautiful but knowing it’s journey and the meaning behind its design makes it priceless.
I hope whoever wins it loves it as much as Brent does.
Sian,
Your words are what I was trying to say earlier. WELL SAID!!!
I don’t know if even one other channel that the person who’s in it is as genuine as he is.. his smile makes me smile. He is that person that seems like he’s never had a bad day.
Yay it’s Brentday! Best day of the week! You bring so much joy to so many of us. Your positive bubbly personality is intoxicating. We appreciate you more than you know! 💜💜💜
You don’t cease to amaze me! When I started watching you in the beginning I thought to myself “how much can he really do hear? Where will he get content? Well, you’ve blown me & millions of others away. Clearly, this is where you were meant to be and your ambassadorship in Cerro Gordo was aimed at introducing its history to the the world putting it on the map again. Visiting Cerro Gordo is on my bucket list now. CHEERS 🥂 🍻 🥃 to meeting you along the way!
As a geology student, this seems like an awesome thing to do. On location and hands on handling of minerals and ores? Such an awesome experience.
Colorado School of Mines?
It feels weird seeing Brent in a city. But I like that we are meeting new characters and places as this series progresses. This channel has never failed to captivate me.
Your passion is amazing! Love all that you're doing with CGM! Best wishes on your continued restoration and rebuilding!
29:22 The mixture between this adventure and the music playing at the final part of the Ring being displayed actually made me emotional. But not in a bad way. it was like something being born or being reborn to be more exact. Excellent video.
Crazy how far you have come. Feels like the one month update was yesterday. I'm so happy for you and your accomplishments! Thank you for sharing!!!
Just a suggestion without knowing the time or money constraints of making one but I feel like Johnny should also get one if you're making another as he was such an integral part of the early beginnings of this channel and especially all the mine exploration
Just my 2 cents but I feel he deserves one even more than someone from the audience
Did you make a donation to help make it happen?
.
@@007nadineL He suscribed and watched the video
What a fascinating process to watch! Thank you for taking us on that journey with you, Brent. And thanks to the amazing crafts people who enabled the creation of such a special piece of Cerro Gordo.
I Can see his exitement in his Eyes in the end and its just shows How much he really Loves what he is doing
This is the best episode yet! I love following your journey and think the wealth of history and knowledge you can share with these videos keeps getting better. Keep it up, biggest inspiration on TH-cam.
Wow, this is so amazing! Such a creative way to celebrate and cherish the history of Cerro Gordo. 😍
Watching you through the marvelous journey of obtaining, refining and shaping a precious metal that's been created in the core of a dying star billions of years ago really put a smile on my face! Seeing how challenging this process can be, it's crazy to think that our ancestors were able to do that millenia ago without any of our modern facilities. You made yourself one of the best gifts ever - a silver ring filled with invaluable history, both stellar and human.
EARTH or URANTIA is a fire planet and there are only a handful of states in America where silver and gold has been found near the surface. I think only 4-5. Imagine when we had real silver coins or a gold standard.
Thanks Brent, I worked in a smelter was a was a teenager to save money for university. I studied chem and metallurgy. This vid was a real joy to watch(60 years later). Thank u for rekindling the great memories. All the best
Thank you, for everything you do.
I remember that first day you were driving up in the snow, and to see how far you've come
is so heartwarming. The American Hotel burned right before my birthday and it's so crazy
because I remembered having a dream of fire - and waking up to your video in shock.
I'm so grateful that you're the owner and caretaker of Cerro Gordo. You're truly making something
beautiful from the ashes of what was. Thank you for all you're doing and also creating these
videos so we can share in your adventure.
I suppose it's none too surprising on virtue of the tagline "The Artist" but you have a delightfully pretty profile picture and a way with colors I could only hope to achieve some day. I wish you well in your doodly endeavors my friend.
Wow!! Takes SO much Galena to make a little bit of Silver. I now have a whole new appreciation for the precious metal. The ring is really amazing.
Yeh but all that precious lead too👌way cool.
I think you need around a tonne to get that much gold from gold ore
17:50 this time lapse is so beautiful, I'd never seen liquid metal solidifying and the fluid dynamics changing over time
Congratulations Brent! What a great collaboration! Can't imagine how chuffed you must be when you look at that on your finger and think about the 18 month journey that led to it's creation. Top draw sir! Top draw! 👏👏👏👏
Further proof that every job is essential. The amount of people, creativity, labor, goods and services to produce a ring all the way from mining, logistics, refining, and creation of jewelry. True economics at work.
An excellent reminder of why silver is so incredibly undervalued at this point in time. What an awesome video and history of mining!
Also the silver that went into that ring was mined and refined at possibly the least efficiency possible. Of course profitability wasn't the point to this work.
Everything about this short film was perfect.....especially the resultant ring. The topographical design concept was genius and beautifully crafted!
I took geology way back in college. Imagine if a film like this was available then.
I'm just gonna say it: this guy is adorable, from his passion for what he does, to just his face in general. I'm smitten lol