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 Vintage Large Mexican Sterling Silver Dangle Moon & Star Abalone Earrings US $40.47 
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 Antique ART NOUVEAU Mexican sterling silver ORCHID flower pin - very detailed US $30.00
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 Silver, Sterling, beautiful Mexican Dangle earrings 75mm long US $150.00
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 Vintage Sterling Silver Jade Mexican Brooch and Matching Earrings US $99.99
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 Silver, Sterling, beautiful Mexican Hawk earrings, 30mm long, 10 Grams US $200.00
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 Sterling Silver Mexican Vintage Heart Pin Brooch Bead Artisan Three Dimensional US $56.95
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 STERLING SILVER MEXICAN TAXCO TURQUOISE ONYX BROOCH EARRINGS US $10.49
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 LARGE VINTAGE 1940'S MEXICAN STERLING SILVER GRAPES PIN US $80.00
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 VINTAGE 1980s STERLING SILVER MEXICAN BRACELET & EARRINGS - MALACHITE US $39.49
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 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Medal Abalone Inlay Geometric Eagle Pendant Pin US $125.00
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 VINTAGE LOS BALLESTEROS MEXICAN STERLING SILVER EARRING US $75.00
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 vtg 40s Blk Onyx Mexican Sterling Silver Lg Leaf Brooch US $104.00
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 OLD MEXICAN STERLING SILVER & VIOLET GLASS SATELLITE BRACELET US $59.49
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 Large Vintage Mexican Sterling Inlaid Pin US $50.00
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 VINTAGE OLD MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ABALONE TURTLE TORTOISE PIN SIGNED US $28.00
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 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER MEXICAN COIN SIGNET RING UK SIZE M US SIZE 6 US $2.29
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 FINE VINTAGE MEXICAN COPPER & STERLING SILVER MODERNIST DESIGN NECKLACE US $165.00
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS CLAMPER BRACELET TAXCO US $267.00
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 PRE 1950 Vintage EARLY MEXICAN Sterling Silver ONYX FACE Clip On EARRINGS US $12.79
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 RARE PROSA MEXICAN SIlver PIN BROOCH Ribbon Wreath Design MEXICO TAXCO Sterling US $90.00
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 Deco MEXICAN SILVER PIN BROOCH Cut Out Figural Design HUGE MEXICO Taxco STERLING US $80.00
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 monogram pin sterling silver mexican engraved W US $35.00
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 Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Mexican Taxco TN58 TNB 19.75 Link Necklace US $240.00
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 Outstanding!!! Vintage Codan Mexican Sterling Silver Charm Necklace 121gms US $359.99
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 Vintage Modernist Mexican Handwrought Sterling Silver Unisex Bracelet US $149.99
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 Vintage Silver Large Mexican Brooch Pin - 925 sterling, Taxco mark US $23.69
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 Vintage Mexican Sterling Abalone Owl Brooch, Melecio Rodriguez Taxco Silver Pin US $12.50
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 SIGNED MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BRACELET, RING EARRINGS US $295.00
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN TAXCO STERLING SILVER & INLAY ABLONE SWORDFISH PIN BROOCH US $42.49
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER 925 MODERNIST RING SIZE 8 WEIGHS 5.9 GRAMS US $9.99
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 HUGE VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SLVER & OBSIDIAN MASK PENDANT BROOCH H. SANTANA US $420.75
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 Vintage Mexican 800 Silver Sterling Big Wide Heavy Chunky Bracelet Mexico US $87.99
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 TAXCO BLACK ONYX 925 STERLING SILVER DANGLE EARRINGS MEXICAN JEWELRY FRIDA KAHLO US $31.00
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 Huge Mexican Sterling Silver Bracelet Pendant Earring Blue Stone Not Scrap US $47.69
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 Vintage MEXICO Sterling 925 SILVER - Mexican modernist necklace - Unusual design US $100.00
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 A+ Mexican Sterling Silver Bracelet Multi Colored Stones NIce Not Scrap US $24.19
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 Vintage Mexican Modernist Sterling large Bird Pin Necklace Pendant Taxco US $54.99
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 VINTAGE STERLING BRACELET CHARM-YOUR BASIC MEXICAN PLATTER FOR $8.00!!! US $8.00
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 Vintage Mexican sterling Abalone inlaid swan pin 1960’s well made US $45.00
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 ART DECO ERA VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SUPER HEAVY MEXICAN BRACELET US $147.00
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 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER MEXICAN HAT/ COWBOY HAT CHARM 925 US $6.95
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER TAXCO ABALONE RING US $19.51
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER PENDANT SIESTA CACTUS US $75.00
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 Vintage Sterling Mexican Pin Hanging Locket Large Purple Amethyst Set Front US $74.99
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 Vintage Sterling Silver Doves at Fountain Mexican Pin Green Stone Antique Birds US $75.00
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 EMILIA CASTILLO VTG TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER big RAMS HEAD BUCKLE US $77.00
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 Mexican Sophisticated Big & Bold Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet US $11.50
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING LINK BRACELET....WEIGHTY.....AWESOME.... US $175.00
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 VINTAGE LOT OF 6 MATCHING MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BRASS BANGLE BRACELETS US $200.00
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 VINTAGE AV ALFREDO VILLASANA TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER 10 LINK BRACELET US $64.00
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ADJUSTABLE RATTLE SNAKE BANGLE BRACELET AS IS US $45.00
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 Vintage Designer Taxco Mexican Silver .925 Sterling Bracelet Aztec Design Nielo US $85.00
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 VINTAGE AV ALFREDO VILLASANA TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER 22 LINK NECKLACE US $69.00
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 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER VERY SUPER HEAVY TAXCO MEXICAN NECKLACE for LADY or MAN US $257.00
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CHARM BRACELET & CHARMS US $36.95
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 BOLD VTG TAXCO MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SODALITE DECO NECKLACE & ERS 120gm US $123.50
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING FESTOON NECKLACE with GREEN STONES ONYX? US $125.00
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 Vintage Mexican STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED HIINGED BRACELET, 7 1/8", 39.6 grams US $92.50
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 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SUPER HEAVY MODERNIST TAXCO MEXICAN CHOKER NECKLACE US $187.00
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 BOLD VTG TAXCO MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SODALITE ART DECO BRACELET 64gms US $51.00
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 Vintage Mexican Sterling w/ Black Onyx Face Earrings US $19.99
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 1940’s Unique Sterling Mexico Mexican Screw Back Earrings US $5.74
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 Los Castillo #552 Vintage Mexico Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Bird Earrings US $39.01
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 1940’s Sterling Mexico Mexican “CLOVER” Screw Back Earrings US $9.99
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BRACELET with GREEN STONES, ONYX? US $75.00
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 Vintage Damaso Gallegos Taxco Mexican Sterling Pin Earrings Set US $54.99
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 Pre Eagle Mexican Sterling and Amethyst Pin/Brooch US $65.00
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 Los Castillo #622 Vintage Mexico Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Bird Pin US $23.49
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 Vintage LOS CASTILLO #592 Sterling TAXCO Chunky Link Mexican Bracelet US $256.51
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 VINTAGE TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING 925 LONG LEAF EARRINGS US $19.99
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 VINTAGE STERLING TURQUOISE MINIATURE CHARM MEXICAN DONKEY PULLING WAGON CUTE! US $1.64
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 Vintage Sterling Silver Bracelet Charm Mexico Mexican Man In Serape Sombrero US $19.90
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 VINTAGE SILVER MEXICAN CHARMS SOMBRERO AND COWBOY SPUR MARKED MEXICO STERLING? US $1.04
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 VINTAGE SILVER TONE MEXICAN FIGHTING BULL CHARM NOT MARKED STERLING BUT NON-MAG US $.99
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 VINTAGE STERLING MODERNIST LARGE MEXICAN AMETHYST BRACELET BY M.OCAMPO. US $249.00
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 ANTIQUE RARE ART-DECO 67.2 gr STERLING SILVER & MEXICAN JADE- BIRD MARK BRACELET US $760.00
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 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER OBSIDIAN TURBAN HEAD MASK LINK BRACELET ESPINOSA US $420.75
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 TAXCO VINTAGE .925 STERLING SILVER DANGLE EARRINGS MEXICAN JEWELRY FRIDA KAHLO US $15.01
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 Signed Mexican Sterling Silver Peach Quartz Stone Large Foliage Scrwbk Earrings US $24.99
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 Vintage Taxco Mexican Sterling and Smokey Topaz Faceted Stone Bracelet US $220.00
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 VINTAGE TAXCO MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE CUFF BRACELET 15694 US $495.00
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 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER MEXICAN BOY AND DONKEY PIN BROOCH - RARE FIND - LB1873 US $62.00
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 MEXICAN SWIRL of STERLING ABALONE ENAMEL PIN / PENDANT US $85.00
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 EARLY MEXICAN STERLING SILVER AMETHYST PANEL NECKLACE US $375.00
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Sterling Mexican
Mexican Sterling Silver Jewelry
Acapulco – Shopping for Mexican Silver
Acapulco is close to Mexico’s main silver-producing region. Taxco, a colonial city in the mountains between Acapulco and Mexico City, is the historical center of this time-honored craft. You will be able to buy Mexican silver in several places in Acapulco, and at very reasonable prices. This article describes what to look for so as to be sure to get what you pay for.
All well-established stores will be open and honest about the quality and silver content of the pieces they sell. This is not always true with transient vendors. To be a good shopper for silver you should bring a magnifying glass, or loupe.
Content. In Mexico you should encounter only one of two types of silver. Either it will be “sterling” or it will be “Alpacca.”
- Sterling is 92.5% pure. In Mexico, the remainder is pure copper, added to give the alloy tensile strength. In Mexico, all pieces of sterling are stamped “925” somewhere, usually next to the artisan’s hallmark, if there is one. On jewelry this can be exceedingly tiny, which is why you brought your loupe with you. If you can not find the “925,” do not buy the piece. It might be genuine sterling nonetheless, but it probably is not. Certainly it was not produced by a qualified silversmith in Mexico.
- Alpacca is also called “nickel silver” or “German Silver.” Its natural finish is similar to that of pewter. Local vendors may tell you that Alpacca contains silver, but it does not. It is an alloy of nickel, copper and (usually) zinc. Frequently pieces of Alpacca will be silver plated, so they look as shiny as sterling. Many sales people think the name is “alpaca,” like the Peruvian beast of burden. In fact, the word (with two c’s and a capital “A”) was a trade mark created by Berndorg AG, a German silversmith, to describe this non-silver alloy. All pieces of Alpacca produced by qualified silversmiths will be stamped “MEX” in the same place where you would find “925” on a piece of sterling. If the item is silver plated, the word “plate” or “plat.” should appear somewhere. The specific gravity of Alpacca is considerably lower than sterling’s, so it will always be notably lighter than an equivalent piece of sterling silver.
- Fine Silver. If someone offers you “fine silver,” be suspicious. This defines silver that is at least 97% silver, up to about 99.9%. It is too soft to be of practical use for jewelry or for household items. If you can almost dent the surface with your finger nail, it may be true “fine silver.” More likely, it will look and feel like sterling or Alpacca. This should tip you off that the vendor is either dishonest or uninformed.
Mexican silversmiths are highly organized and work hard to maintain the discipline and rules of practice so as to maintain consumer confidence. The “925” or “MEX,” if placed on the piece by the craftsman, is probably reliable. Be alert, however, for signs of tampering with the stamp. On very rare occasions a salesman may try to talk you into believing that “MEX” is actually “925.” This is where the magnifying glass comes in handy.
The term “Mexican Silver” historically referred to an alloy with 95% silver and 5% copper, but the product was thought too soft for modern applications, and so sterling has been adopted as the standard for many years. Nowadays, this term just means any silver piece made in Mexico.
Where to Go Shopping. Inside Parque Papagayo there is a jewelry factory and outlet called B & B Jewelers. It is a great place to go to see jewelry in the making. Be sure to see the fire opals. At Taxco Exporta on the Costera Alemán in the Club Deportivo area, you can find not only jewelry, but artistic items of home décor, including trays, vases and the like. The several Sanborns outlets in town also provide well-priced items of genuine Mexican silver articles and jewelry. If you are downtown, across the side street (Juan Escudero) from Sanborns is Linda de Taxco, a shop that specializes in the artistic output of these world-famous artisans. Nearby you can visit Joyería Bonita Margarita where lots of silver and gold crafts can be found.
Minette is a high-end jewelry store in the Fairmont Princess Acapulco hotel, offering one-of-a-kind pieces of designer jewelry and very elaborate decorative pieces for the home. In Las Brisas, Tane Orferes offers unique works in gold and silver jewelry by well-known designers and artists. Torzal Joyeros, on the Costera near the Diana traffic circle, offers hand-crafted jewelry items of all sorts. One specialty is unique, matching wedding rings.
About the Author
Bernal Castillo writes for RealAcapulco.com, the most complete and reliable source of information about Acapulco, in English and in Spanish. To reach him, go to Acapulco and navigate to the contact page.
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Frequently Asked Questions...
I saw a old pawn Indian/Mexican(?) ring made of sterling with a dark blue stone, buy or not?
The ring size is huge, size ten or larger. Same w/the wt., an ounce or more. I believe the stone is a tourqoise. I am thinking of buying the ring as an investment, its like a work of art.
There are no makers marks to distinguish the ring.
Memo: There is indeed a variety of Turquoise that is dark blue~!
Answer:
Turquoise isn't dark blue. Lapis is dark blue. And how can you tell that it's old? How old is "old" to you? If there were no markings, then it's not going to be a good investment. Buy it if you like it, but not as an investment.
