Interesting Facts About Amber

Amber is one of the world's most treasures: the transparent substance looks like a gem, but it is not completely of the earth as gems are. Amber began its existence as resin that often trapped insects, then over millions of years, the substance, with the insects still trapped inside, became fossilized. Prized for its beauty as well as its scientific interest, amber enhances its value by preserving an instant in time from millions of years ago.

 

 

Simojovel, Chiapas, is one of the world's top three sites for the most sought amber (the other two are Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and, broadly, the coast of the Baltic sea). Chiapas is the southernmost state in Mexico and runs along the border with Guatemala. Simojovel amber is clear with colors ranging from a bright golden color to blood-red. Simojovel amber is well known for the primeval insects found locked within it. The amber and its insects date from the late Oligocene to Early Miocene epochs, 23 to 30 million years ago. Mayan artifacts often include amber, and in the latter days of the Mayan culture, many of these artifacts were paid to the Aztecs in tribute.

Scientists say amber is the petrified resin of trees. Resin should not be confused with sap, which is "the blood" of trees that circulates through the a tree to circulate the nutrients derived from the soil by the roots as well as the sweet products of photosynthesis from the leaves. Resin, meanwhile, serves no purpose in the distribution of nutrition through trees. It seeps out the  surfaces of certain trees like pine trees. Yet even scientists do not know what purpose these divine tears of  solar godesses serve.

On rare occasion, resin falls into a place in nature deep in the earth. High pressure and temperatures modify the resin molecularly so they form long chains or polymers—in other words fossilized amber becomes a substance much like a hard and enduring plastic.

It's important to remember that although amber is a fossil, it doesn't have the durability of stone fossils. Amber will dissolve in in alcohol, ether and chloroform, and heated above 200 degrees C., it will produce an oil of amber and a black residue called amber pitch. It can also be dissolved in turpentine or linseed oil to produce amber varnish.

The oldest amber dates from the Upper Carboniferous period, 320 million years ago, and the more common forms date from the Cretaceous period, 150 million years ago. This latter form often contains insects and preserves soft parts that would not be preserved by ordinary fossilization. In terms of market value, scientific interest, intellectual curiosity, and simple adornment purposes, amber with insects has the greatest value.

For the past 13,000 years—since cave man days—amber has been used as jewelry. Polished stones made from amber are often mounted in sterling silver to produce beautiful pieces. Those with insects visible in the amber have especially good financial as well as conversation-starting value, so they have settings of corresponding value as well.

The ancient Greeks concocted a delightful but sad myth to explain amber. Phaeton was the son of Helios, the Sun. One day ambitious Phaeton persuades doting Helios to allow him to drive the chariot of the sun across the sky. But Phaeton is too young to control the solar chariot, and he loses control of the powerful horses pulling the chariot, and before he can crash into the earth and cause great damage, Zeus zaps him with a thunderbolt. The mourning of Phaeton's sisters transforms them into poplar trees, and their tears become the precious substance electrum, meaning "beaming sun," which was the Greek phrase for what we call amber—the joy of sunlight wrought, through tears of pain, as a precious substance.

 
Yet beyond its scientific, social, and adornment value, amber might well have a spiritual value as well. You might not believe in Helios, spoiled Phaeton, and the tears that Phaeton's sisters cried, but that beautiful piece of jewelry around your neck links you to over a hundred million years of the history of life on earth. Or perhaps you will simply take great pleasure in owning a piece of beautiful and valuable amber.

If you'd like to see some samples of this amazing fossils, visit Mexico Sterling where Taxco silver and Simojovel amber jewelry is displayed with the most unique and artistic artisan designs.

Mexican Gemstones

Fire Opal

Mexico is famous for its “Fire Opal” gemstone. It is defined as a transparent to translucent stone with an orange to red body color which may or may not show a play of color.

What are its origins?

Opal was first discovered in the Mexican state of Queretaro in 1835, near San Juan del Rio and Tequisquiapan. Opal occurrences are fairly widespread in the northern volcanic regions of Mexico, and some are found in Guatemala and Honduras. Pre-Columbian relics in anthropology museums show that the Olmecs, Aztecs and Mayans used and traded opal, along with jade and other semiprecious stones.

If you want your own piece of fire, you can find it at Mexico Sterling today!

The Journey of Mexican Silver Jewelry so Far

Traditional mexican taxco silverjewelry has always been loved and adorned by women from all over the world. However, did you know that the history of these ornaments dates back to more than 300 years?

Well, to give you a closer look at the history, and how this art evolved to give birth to some of the most artistic and creative ornaments for women, I have come up with some useful information on the topic.

So, let us take a sneak peek at the eras of evolution of mexican silver jewelry -

1. The Golden Era till 1948- this was the time between early 20^th century to 1948. All the big names like Margot de Taxco, William Spratling, Los Castillo, Hector Aguilar, Matilde Poula and Fred Davis were given by this era. These years are also referred to as the time for the revival of the art of silversmithing and working with silver. The re-introduction of pre-Colombian motifs and techniques was done during these years, to bring back the legacy that had been lost during the country's colonial period. 

1. From 1948 to 1980 - this was the period when the government had taken the mission to to control the quality and taxing of silver production in the country, and thereby introduced a national system of hallmarking and control as well."Eagle Assay mark" was established by conscious efforts from the government in association with  the National Syndicate of Silversmiths The marks used in this hallmark system reflected that the piece of silver had at-least a purity of 925/1000, or in other words matched sterling quality. Besides this development, silversmiths had developed generic hallmarks to denote maker, place of production, design number, silver content as well.

 

2. The post 1980 Era - this was the time when exponential growth in the demand of Mexican silver bracelets and other adornments was observed. To avoid fraudulent silversmithing, the Mexican Government had started to use a different way of marking silver during this time. This was imperative to preserve the heritage and traditional art of silversmithing in the country. The hallmarking system employed by the government included imprinting the first letter of this person's last name and the number that follows just shows that this was.

This explains it all about the history and evolution of Taxco Sterling Silver Jewelry that has become one of the most appreciated and loved ornamental arts equally by men and women.

What’s So Special About Mexican Taxco Silver Jewelry?

If you are planning to buy silver jewelry, then you must have heard about traditional taxco silver jewelry. In fact, it is amongst the most popular choices for people from all across the globe. 

The art of mexican handmade silver jewelry dates back to more than five centuries. In fact the mining of silver began in the year 1521, but it was not until the efforts of Don Jose de la Borda in 1716 that the art really started to flourish in the region. Borda discovered silver mines in the region and gave life to the dying art of silversmithing in the region. 

However, did you have even the slightest of ideas about what makes it so special? If not, then here is a look in to everything that you need to know about these ornaments before you actually buy one -

1. Uniqueness - if you are bored looking at the monotonous designs, then Mexican Taxco silver jewelry is something that will give you a unique look. The fact that it is handcrafted by artisans who know the art really well, make it just the perfect thing to break the monotony of the silver ornaments that you find in the market.

 

2. Good Investment - besides being good to look at, spending your money on traditional taxco silver artifacts can serve the purpose of an investment as well. Considering the fact that vintage jewelry can become even more expensive with the passage of time, buying these handcrafted pieces of traditional mexican jewelry can be a great idea.

3. Its worth it - last, but definitely not the least, thing that makes buying these silver ornaments a smart option is the fact that they are really worth it. They are beautiful, stylish and can be used to accessorize all your looks. In fact, these serve the purpose as a wonderful gift for any special occasion.

All the factors mentioned above clearly justify why the world has always loved and adored taxco sterling silver jewelry. If you are looking to buy silver ornaments for the festive season, then be sure to take a look a these options. I am sure you would definitely go gaga looking at the exciting designs, the traditional finishing and the elegant feel that all these ornaments posses.