Jewel Cave Clay Mug
$24.99
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Hand-thrown 12 oz stoneware mug by Deneen Pottery, with a clay medallion of a caver in Jewel Cave’s crystal-lined passages. Midnight blue glaze with sand and white accents. Made in Minnesota, no two are exactly alike.
- 12 oz capacity, hand-thrown stoneware (16.1 oz, 5″ wide with handle, 4″ tall)
- Dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe
- Lead-free and food-safe
- Made in the USA by Deneen Pottery (St. Paul, MN, since 1972)
- Proceeds support Jewel Cave National Monument
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Jewel Cave Clay Mug
$24.99
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Hand-thrown 12 oz stoneware mug by Deneen Pottery, with a clay medallion of a caver in Jewel Cave’s crystal-lined passages. Midnight blue glaze with sand and white accents. Made in Minnesota, no two are exactly alike.
- 12 oz capacity, hand-thrown stoneware (16.1 oz, 5″ wide with handle, 4″ tall)
- Dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe
- Lead-free and food-safe
- Made in the USA by Deneen Pottery (St. Paul, MN, since 1972)
- Proceeds support Jewel Cave National Monument
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
Jewel Cave clay mug
A 12 oz stoneware mug made by Deneen Pottery in St. Paul, Minnesota. The front has a hand-applied clay medallion showing a caver surrounded by the calcite crystal formations that give Jewel Cave its name. The glaze is midnight blue with sand and white over-glaze accents.
Deneen Pottery has been making mugs by hand since 1972. Each one is thrown on a potter’s wheel and passes through over 24 pairs of hands during production. Their studio runs on solar power. Because everything is done by hand, no two mugs come out exactly the same. Slight differences in size, glaze coverage, and color are part of the process.
This specific Jewel Cave design is exclusive to BHPFA. You won’t find it on Deneen’s own website or at other park stores.
Specifications
- Capacity: 12 oz
- Weight: 16.1 oz
- Dimensions: 5″ wide (handle included), 4″ tall, 3″ cup opening
- Material: Stoneware clay, hand-thrown
- Glaze: Midnight blue with sand and white over-glaze
- Manufacturer: Deneen Pottery, St. Paul, MN
- Made in: USA
Care
Dishwasher safe (home and commercial). Microwave safe. Oven safe, freezer safe. Lead-free, cadmium-free, and fully food-safe. The one thing to avoid is extreme sudden temperature changes, like putting a frozen mug straight into a hot oven.
Who is this for?
If you’ve taken a cave tour at Jewel Cave and want something better than a fridge magnet to remember it, this is it. The medallion shows what the cave actually looks like inside, and you’ll use it every morning.
Deneen Pottery mugs have a following. People collect them from national parks, breweries, and lodges across the country. BHPFA also carries a Wind Cave National Park mug in the same line. If someone in your life collects Deneen mugs, the Jewel Cave edition is a good one to track down.
At $24.99, it works as a standalone gift. The handmade weight is noticeable when you pick it up, and the midnight blue glaze photographs well if you’re the type who posts your morning coffee.
About Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world, with over 214 miles of surveyed passages and counting. It’s in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 13 miles west of Custer. The cave gets its name from the calcite spar crystals that line many of its walls and ceilings.
Frank and Albert Michaud discovered it in 1900 when they felt cold air blowing from a small hole in a limestone hillside. Theodore Roosevelt designated it a national monument in 1908. The National Park Service manages the site today, and BHPFA operates the bookstore at the visitor center.
Tours range from the paved Scenic Tour to the Historic Lantern Tour (by candlelight) to the Wild Caving Tour, which involves crawling through tight passages for about four hours. Only about 5% of the cave has been explored.
Frequently asked questions
Is this mug dishwasher safe?
Yes. Deneen Pottery stoneware is fired at 2,150 degrees F. It holds up in home and commercial dishwashers. Hand-washing works too.
Can I microwave it?
Yes. Also oven-safe and freezer-safe. Just avoid extreme sudden temperature swings (don’t put a frozen mug directly into a hot oven).
Why does my mug look slightly different from the photos?
Every mug is shaped on a potter’s wheel by hand. The glaze reacts differently each time it goes through the kiln. You’ll see variations in marbling, color intensity, and glaze coverage. Deneen considers these part of the handmade process.
How big is this mug?
12 oz capacity. Measures 5 inches wide (handle included), 4 inches tall, and 3 inches across the cup opening. Weighs about a pound.
Is it lead-free?
Yes. All Deneen Pottery mugs are lead-free, cadmium-free, and heavy-metal-free. Completely food-safe for hot and cold drinks.
What is Jewel Cave?
Jewel Cave National Monument is the third-longest cave in the world, with over 214 miles of mapped passages in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s named for the calcite spar crystals that line its walls. The National Park Service offers several tours, from paved scenic walks to a hands-and-knees wild caving trip.
Does BHPFA carry other Deneen Pottery mugs?
Yes. BHPFA also has a Wind Cave National Park mug ($24.99, 14 oz, dark blue with cinnamon and white). Browse all drinkware.
Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. Your purchase supports Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, and the Black Hills National Forest. BHPFA funds education programs, trail maintenance, and visitor services across these sites.
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 19 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Deneen Pottery |
| Dimensions | 5" W (handle included) x 4" H x 3" cup opening |
| Weight | 16.1 oz |
| Material | Stoneware clay, hand-thrown |
| Color | Midnight Blue with Sand & White Over-Glaze |
| Care Instructions | Dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe. Lead-free, food-safe. |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Publisher / Manufacturer | Deneen Pottery |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
