Día de los Muertos



Dancing Couple Taxco Silver Pendant-Brooch

Dia de Los Muertos  - or Day of the Dead – is a popular holiday celebrated throughout Mexico. It is also celebrated by people of Mexican ancestry living in other countries – namely the United States. As a multi-day holiday and festival, Dia de Los Muertos pays homage and respect to friends and family members that have passed away. The holiday unites friends, loved ones, and neighbors in celebrating the passing of relatives – instead of mourning them. In fact, the celebration consists of dancing, extravagant costumes and silver jewelry to keep away evil spirits, and especially great food and drink.  In 2008, UNESCO officially honored this annual Mexican holiday, which helps support the spiritual journeys of the deceased and is marked by nationwide dances, parades, and much more.

Holiday Origins and Traditions



Flirty Catrina Taxco Silver Earrings

Dia de Los Muertos, of course, is a public holiday in Mexico – that dates back to the 16^th century. Before Spanish colonization, the celebration primarily took place in the beginning of summer. However, the holiday became associated with October 31, November 1, and November 2 to correlate with the Western Christian traditions of Halloween and All Saints/Souls Day. Traditions between the Western and Mexican holidays also complimented each other – especially when it came to donning extravagant costumes and even sterling silver jewelry to ward off evil spirits or apparitions. Like in other Mexican cities, Taxco celebrates the holiday with traditional private altars called ofrendas. These are built to honor the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods or snacks of the departed.

Like other faiths and religions, Mexicans also mark the holiday by leaving possessions of the deceased at their respective graves. This practice is even observed in other nations where they also leave ornaments and even jewelry to mark the passing of their loved ones and friends. These items are then given to the cemetery staff to keep or to submit as charitable donations.

Celebrated Across the World

According to scholars, the modern Mexican holiday dates back hundreds of years to an Aztec festival. This event was dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, and was primarily observed by the indigenous people and tribes of Mexico. The holiday has since spread across the word – and many cultures have utilized Dia de Los Muertos as a model for honoring their own relatives and friends that have passed on. In Mexico, the holiday has become a national symbol, which is taught at several schools. The celebration is also intertwined with All Saints Day, which is associated with the Catholic Church.

Holiday Observance Jewelry


Decorated Mexican Silver Skull Ring

Like Mardi gras and other popular holidays, Dia de Los Muertos is observed by wearing vibrant and innovative jewelry. While families gather to honor the dead –they also celebrate with parades, music, foods, drinks, and national festival parties. These events feature people of all ages wearing costumes, along with innovative and creative jewelry to express their feelings and pay respect to fallen loved ones and friends. Some of the more popular jewelry sets and accessories include but are not limited to:

* Colorful Day of the Dead charm bracelets.
* Sugar Skull earrings, anklets, and sparking necklaces.
* Cross Skull charm bracelets, rings, and chains.
* Sterling silver ornaments and lavish jewelry sets.

From Taxco, Mexico, to Spain and America, Dead of the dead jewelry continues to soar in global popularity. With so many styles and designs to choose from, families are truly able to cherish their memories of their love ones with singing, dancing, music and specially jewelry and accessories worn in their honor.
The Mexican Day of the Dead celebration is similar to other culture's observances of a time to honor the dead. The Spanish tradition included festivals and parades, as well as gatherings of families at cemeteries to pray for their deceased loved ones at the end of the day.

 

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.

Why Jewelry From Historic Taxco, Mexico is So Unique

High-quality, unique silver jewelry from Mexico

Taxco is a small but thriving city that has made huge historical contributions to the country of Mexico. Taxco is known for their jewelry, and this is why.

Early Center of Industry

In the 1800’s, Taxco was a center of mining. Stones were mined and used for decorative and ritual purposes, leading to an early importance of art and jewelry that is still seen today.

Silver Smithing

Taxco’s current economy is built around silver, mined just outside the city. This high quality silver is seen in locally-made jewelry that lasts over time.

Rich Artistic History

Since many important designers made their home in Taxco, including Hector Aguilar and Margot de Taxco, these beautiful design elements still find influence in jewelry from the area. For the highest quality, most unique jewelry from the Taxco area, Mexico Sterling offers handmade jewelry no matter where in the world you are.

Necklace - A Must Have Jewelry Accessory



 

Looking to accessorize your evening wear for a cocktail party, or shirt and trousers for a fun afternoon with friends? Putting on just the right sort of necklace can complete your look. Necklaces were in existence even 40,000 years back during the Stone Age. At that time, there was no weaving and even the string was not invented, so early man used to create necklaces from natural resources like sturdy wines. The wines were tied together and decked with corals, colorful feathers, stones, teeth, bones, shells and any other naturally available elements.

With invent of twines, strings, metal working and cloth working, more intricate and durable necklaces came into existence. Beads, gemstones and other precious stones were strung together to form beautiful necklaces. Moving into the Bronze Age when man learnt to melt metal into various shapes and sizes, metals like gold, silver, bronze, copper and platinum were used to create solid metal chains and necklaces to be worn by both men and women. Today in modern times, with inventions like electroplating and blowtorches, new metals like titanium and stainless steel have been used to create jewelry. With the help of electroplating, nowadays we can have gold and silver plated jewelry.

Taxco, a Mexican city is widely famous for producing brilliant Mexican silver necklaces and other pieces of stunning jewelry like earrings, bracelets and rings, all in 925 sterling silver. One can browse through different designs and patterns of necklaces online to pick the one of their liking. There are necklaces available in traditional vintage look with pre-Columbian style with stones as well as in breathtaking modern designs.

Usually necklaces are categorized based on their length and adornment type. As per adornment type, necklaces can be further divided into:

1.      Pearl necklace: It is made up pearls and is adorned by women. It is of two types, a bib pearl necklace that has stepped sizes of pearls with multiple strands and other type is uniform pearl necklace with similar size of pearls.

2.      Diamond necklace: One of the most expensive necklaces is the one with diamonds in it. Diamonds in a necklace are usually set in gold or platinum. There are usually ‘Y’ shapes or ‘V’ shape diamond necklaces available.

3.      Tooth pendant necklace: Such necklaces are usually common for people living in tribal areas. It is basically a shark tooth in place of the pendant strung with a leather string.

As per length type, the necklaces are divided as:

1.      Princess necklace: It is 18in (45 cm) to 20in (50 cm) long.

2.      Opera necklace: The length ranges between 30in (75 cm) to 35in (90 cm).

3.      Choker: This type of necklace sits high on the neck and varies between 14in (35 cm) to 16in (41 cm).

4.      Matinee necklace: It is basically a single strand that rests on top of the cleavage and varies between 22in (56 cm) to 23in (58 cm).

5.      Rope necklace: It is longer than opera necklace.

6.       Lariat necklace: This necklace is longer than rope necklace and usually does not have a clasp. It is worn by draping it multiple times around the neck into a knot or a loop.

By Geseell Grant - mexicosterlingsilver@gmail.com

 

Rings – An Everlasting Expression for Love!

It is often said that love has no language, but it sure can be expressed with words, emotions, chocolates, flowers and promising jewelry such as rings. Rings have been in existence for thousands of years now. The circular band around one’s finger can be a symbol of an eternal love. Rings can be made of gold, platinum, silver and gemstones.

Mexico is famous for its unique and artistic sterling silver jewelry and some of the exquisite products are 925 sterling silver rings, silver earrings and necklaces. Rings go way back in the history with different significance in various cultures.

During the excavations of Hittite civilization from ancient east, rings along with signet rings were discovered. Many rings designs from ancient Egypt have also been found, most popular being the scarab design. It is believed that rings were used as New Year exchange gifts and also as parting gifts to the dead. The rings and other ornaments were buried with the dead, and were believed to be used by the dead in the afterlife. Then over the period of time there were different ring designs from Roman and Greek fashion. While these cultures observed rings as something pure and eternal, around 18th century, an English writer, Samuel Johnson described ring as a circular object put on women’s finger and hogs noses to subject and restrain them.

It was also believed that rings reserved good and bad spirits. Till today there are rings with different gemstones that are believed to have protective and curative power. The stones are placed in the bands made from gold, silver and bronze. There are various other kinds of rings that signify different occasions. Let us take a quick look at different rings and their significance.

 

1.      Birthstone rings: This ring is set with the owner’s birthstone in is made out of gold, silver or bronze. It is usually simple in design.
2.      Sports rings: Usually such rings are presented to the members of the winning team as a mark of victory. World Series ring and Super Bowl ring are the most famous ones in this category.
3.      Cocktail rings: It is usually a ladies ring with a huge stone set in the center with smaller stones surrounding the larger one. It is also known as dinner ring.
4.      Engagement rings: It is worn by a woman and symbolizes that she is engaged to be married.
5.      Eternity rings: This ring signifies eternal love for the partner. It is usually a band with small stones set around the band.
6.      Five Metal rings: It is made up of five metals lead, gold, copper, silver and tin. It was considered as a source of good luck by the Talmud.
7.      Friendship ring: It can be exchanged as a symbol of friendship both platonic and romantic.
8.      Mother’s ring: Such rings are worn by the mother with birthstones of her children as well as her husband and her own.
9.      Mourning ring: This ring is worn to honor someone’s death during funerals.
10.     Wedding rings: These rings are exchanged between the partners as a symbol of their undying love for each other on the wedding day. With so many options and occasions to wear the pretty and wonderful rings, who wouldn’t want to buy one. Mexico is famous for 925 sterling silver jewelry. You can find all sorts exquisite and unique silver rings online that are available at discounted price. Online you can avail all the offers that are worth every single penny.

With so many options and occasions to wear the pretty and wonderful rings, who wouldn’t want to buy one. Mexico is famous for 925 sterling silver jewelry. You can find all sorts exquisite and unique silver rings online that are available at discounted price. Online you can avail all the offers that are worth every single penny.

By Geseell Grant - mexicosterlingsilver@gmail.com

Old Taxco Look Sterling Silver Braided Cuff

The artwork on this cuff bracelet was inspired by Old Taxco works with rope work braided and antiqued to include very detailed artwork. Three braids of “rope” fill the center of this cuff bracelet and the banding includes two rows of chainlike designs and a silver band enclosing all the artwork.
This cuff bracelet was inspired by craftsmanship form many years ago, but this bracelet is not as heavy as the original design. It is still, however, very definitive and elegant. It will make a statement of your fashion sense when you wear it.
A cuff bracelet is stiff in formation and usually wider than traditional bracelets. It can be worn open or closed on one end by an oval clasp or a hinge. Those who love cuff bracelets often wear them high on the upper arm. They can also be worn on the wrist. However you wear the cuff bracelet, it sends a powerful message.

Made in solid silver this cuff weights a total of 66.7 grams or 2.1 ounces. It is one and five eighths inches wide and does have an inside circumference of seven inches. It can also be measured from six and a half inches to the seven and three quarter inches.

No handmade piece will ever be exactly alike. This is the quality and uniqueness of each silver bracelet and jewelry piece made by Taxco craftsmen. You can be guaranteed that your piece will be unique and original from all the rest. Ordering handcrafted Taxco silver jewelry guarantees that no two pieces are even exactly the same.

To authenticate your sterling silver braided cuff look for the hallmark information on the inside of the cuff. Every one of Spratling’s designs carries the Spratling philosophy “Worthwhile silver requires that it be identified with the name and reputation of its maker.” Hallmark information should have initials that identify the artist of the piece, the place of manufacture, and the silver content of the jewelry. However, the most important authentication of Taxco sterling silver jewelry is the initials and of the designer or the design house.

Taxco Silver

Taxco silver became and is still famous because of the efforts of William Spratling an American native who lived and worked in Taxco, Mexico from the 1930s to the late 1960s. Spratling found his way to Taxco, Mexico where he became known as an innovative and talented designer of fine Mexican jewelry, tin, copper, silver hollowware and some pre-Columbian inspired furniture. Spratling was very sensitive to the early cultures of the Aztecs and pre-Columbians of Mexico and formed a model for the artistic development and growth of the silver industry in Taxco. It was Spratling’s goal to keep fine silversmithing alive and to create an industry for fine silver jewelry. Spratling is rightfully known as the Father of Contemporary Mexican Silver. His dream to create beautiful silver pieces started the flourishing silver jewelry industry in Taxco that continues into 2013.

Geseell Grant -  Geseell@avilasterling.com