Silver Jewelry From Taxco Mexico's Silver Capital

An intriguing combination of legend and fact the historyaccident and a silver bust of Mr Spratling resides in the
of silver in Taxco is a story worth knowing. Originallytowns museum to commemorate his contribution to
Cortes himself opened the mines in the hills of TaxcoMexico and the town of Taxco.Every November
after discovering that the Aztecs had been using silverTaxco holds it world famous ‘Silver Fair' called
for barter for centuries. In 1716 silver was‘Feria Nacional de la Plata' where craftsmen,
re-discovered in Taxco by Don Jose del le Borda,artisans and silversmiths show their work and
when as legend has it, he was riding in the hills abovecompete to win the prized award of ‘Best Silver
Taxco and spotted a rich silver vein from the back ofArtist of the Fair.'
his horse. He became very wealthy as a result duringThe local senorita's also vie for the title of, "Queen of
a time when silver was worth almost as much as goldthe Silver Fair" and the fair is celebrated with fireworks,
and in gratitude to the area built schools, roads andconcerts, dances and exhibits.Taxco which is
houses for the township.pronounced Tahs-ko, itself is located in the hills
His most famous contribution to the area is the Santabetween Acapulco and Mexico City and is a city with
Prisca Cathedral, built in the Spanish Baroque stylea natural ambiance and charm with its red-tiled roofs,
which can be seen from anywhere in Taxco as itnarrow, cobblestone streets that wind up and down
glistens in the sunlight.Mexico's war for Independencethe hills of Taxco. These streets are a bustling hive of
during the 19th century saw many of the minesactivity during the day with street merchants, taxi's and
destroyed as the Spanish barons fought to preventshoppers all vying for space. Over 16,000 silver shops
them being lost to the revolutionaries. It wasn't until aline the tiny Plasa Borda, all streets lead to this, the
chance comment was made to William Spratling, a USmain plaza in Taxco where bartering is an exciting
citizen and architectural professor who came to theadventure.
area in the late 1920's to study Mexico and its cultureSilver jewellery of every design can be seen in this tiny
that Taxco future potential as the world silver capitalplaza and exquisite rings, necklaces, bracelets and
was realised.bangles can be seen flashing in the sun and artfully
Apparently the US Ambassador commented to Mrdraped over black clothes to test even the greatest
Spratling that Taxco had once been the site ofwillpower. For those looking for silver it is a Mecca and
seemingly bottomless silver mines for centuries butno-one can help coming back to their accommodation
had not ever been considered a location wherewithout snagging a bargain or two.
jewellery and object of silver where designed andMexico has three cities where silver jewellery is
made. This got William Spratling thinking and he setmanufactured; Mexico City itself, Guadalajara and
about finding and nurturing the potential talent in theTaxco. Taxco is known s "The Silver Capital of the
locals and motivating the artisans in the Taxco area toWorld."Mexican silver jewellery so prized around the
rediscover the craft of silversmithing.Using his ownworld for a number of reasons:
designs he created an apprentice-based training- As the biggest silver producer in the world today, it is
system, training the artistic young and eager people ofeasy to obtain pure silver and most silver jewellery
Taxco and giving them the opportunity to develop theircoming out of Mexico is made of sterling silver or 925
skill as artists and silversmiths.silver. Other countries more notably some of the Asian
Within just a few years the quality and beauty of thecountries tend to dilute their silver to make it go further
silver workmanship coming out of the Taxco areaand it is common to find jewellery at .800 silver
gained worldwide recognition for Mexico and othercontent.
cities where silver was mined soon followed- Most pieces are hand finished by artisans called
suit.Williams first apprentices are now considered thesilversmiths who hand down their craft through
old masters of Mexican Silver and Antonio Pineda,traditional apprenticeships and along with an education
Hector Aguilar, Margot de Taxco, the Castillos,these apprentices are given a passion and a love for
Ledesma and Chino Ruiz have produced and continuetheir art.
to craft some of the most highly prized and collectibleMexican jewellery can be found in every corner of the
pieces. Mr Spratling became known as "The Father ofworld and retains its value over the years because of
Mexican Silver" before his death in 1967 in a carits quality and unmistakable style.