What Do the Symbols Mean in Mexican Silver Jewelry?
There is a wide variety of Mexican silver jewelry on the market. The marks or symbols on a piece of jewelry are called a hallmark. A hallmark typically identifies the quantity, purity, and alloy combination of the metals that made the piece of jewelry.
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History
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Mexican silver jewelry gained popularity in the early 1930s. From 1930 to 1950, artist colonies were prolific in Mexico. Those artists produced some famously influential jewelry art pieces.
One of the oldest and most common symbols used in Mexican and native silver jewelry was called the "whirling log" or "whirling wind." The symbol resembled a swastika. The whirling wind symbol stopped being used in Mexican and native silver jewelry around the time of World War II. Therefore, if you find a collectible piece of jewelry with the whirling wind symbol on it, you might be able to date the piece and own a bit of history.
Types
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There are many types of silver jewelry. One of the most desired types is sterling silver. Nickel silver, German silver, and alpaca are also common names for Mexican silver jewelry.
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Other Considerations
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Jewelry from Mexico is also thought to bear symbols that function as talismans to ward off evil and bring the bearer good luck.
The butterfly is a symbol of transformation and fertility in Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi cultures. American Indians' and Mexicans' jewelry designs did not stay within any certain borders. From the southwestern states in the U.S. down into Mexico, sterling is the main type of silver used in making collectible native and Mexican jewelry. In Chihuahua, Mexico, the butterfly represents the souls of dead warriors.
Geography
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Silver jewelry is associated with places throughout Mexico, but the art originated around the town of Taxco de Alarcón. Taxco is considered one of the art silver jewelry capitals of the world. Sterling used in Taxco area has makers marks of "TS." Alpaca, or nickel silver, is a cheaper silver-colored metal used in other areas of Mexico and is marked "Alpaca."
Identification
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Often, common identifications found on sterling silver jewelry are 925, Ster, and Sterling. N.S. is a common mark on nickel silver, and G.S. is a common mark on German silver. Alpaca---an alloy of nickel, copper, zinc, and other metals---is often just marked Alpaca.
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