The story of this Mexican Deco silver and turquoise hinged bangle is an interesting one. When it came to me, it had a rather hastily applied gold plating that looked both out of place and, should I say?, garish. I cannot understand why anybody would do such a thing yet many a time, in discussions with older bench jewelers, I have been told that a few decades ago this was indeed a trend of sorts...

A reversible gold pendant featuring a green and amber colored jade koi fish. The pendant is marked 14k Gump's. The gold shows some discoloration and would benefit from a buffing. There is also light wear with a very tiny nick on the gold edge of the jade side ( see first picture upper right). It measures 1" x 3/4"" and weighs 6.23gr.

One of the most beautiful early Taxco brooches I have had over the years, this glorious butterfly combines delicate repoussage and the marrying of copper and 980 silver with a richly colored piece of azur-malachite. Copper-plating fine silver is not something everything would think to do - after all, one is a precious metal, the other, though very important throughout history, is not...

An Arts & Crafts style sterling bracelet by Jensen designer, Laurence Foss. Marked with the Foss logo Sterling. It measures 7-1/2" x 1/2" " and weighs 47.5 gr.

Ca 1940 A signed, solid gold piece by Preformed Parts, manufacturer of Tiffany and Cartier jewelry. George Schuler design. The piece weighs a substantial 13.2 grams and measures 1-1/4" x 2". Similar designs by both companies may be found on the web.

Circa mid-century, this Los Ballesteros bracelet is a tour-de-force statement piece which immediately garners compliments to the wearer.

It's an iconic book-piece design, shown in "Warman's Jewelry" by Christie Romero, there with amethysts. I have the amethyst bracelet in my shop, as well.

This bracelet features eight faceted stones, in an array of vivid colors, in high five pronged settings...

This pin is unusual due to its length: it measures 2-1/4” x ½”. The fancy engraving is enhanced with black enamel, and the pin is centered by a faux pearl. The central element makes us think of a gear – this would be great to wear to a Steampunk event, or any event with a Victorian theme! It shows a little wear, but it’s still very pretty. The clasp might be a replacement. If so, it’s an old repair. The photos are part of the description. Please examine them carefully...

A modernist Sterling Silver shadowbox pendant with a 14K Gold orb suspended from the original chain by Ed Levin. The pendant has a brushed finish. The chain goes through the orb.

The pendant measures about 1" high and 7/8" across. The chain is about 18" long. The pendant is signed © EL Ed Levin, Ster and 14K.

Fine condition with minor surface scratches and some tarnish. The chain has a large stylized hook which holds securely.

Well crafted design. No longer available.

A pair of pierced Mid Century Modern vintage sterling silver earrings with swish overlays on contrasting oxidized areas. Opposites so frame the face when worn.

The earrings measure 1/2" at the widest and 1 3/8" tall including the hooks. Unsigned.

They are in fine condition, with very minor surface scratches and some tarnish. Looks like the backs have been replaced.

Lots of movement when worn...

I have had this mod Taxco bracelet a few times over the years - also in ring, earrings and brooch form. And I never tire of it! The example at hand is signed by maestro Moreno and it has the beguiling sculpturality that makes the design memorable. Two perfectly crafted silver spheres sitting on stylized leaves - that is all yet it is so much more. Gutsy, slick and eye-catching at the same time - definitely a bracelet for the daring among us...

My second belt buckle for the day, this is a completely different piece from the Los Castillo example I already presented. Hand-wrought in sterling silver it is big, bold and absolutely beautiful. Inspired by the world that surrounds us, it is just one of those treasures that defy my photographic skills and I am afraid I failed to impart the silky sculpturality of its heart-shaped floral motifs...

A mid-century Los Castillo Mexican silver and stone inlay belt buckle, this is a piece out the workshop's "onix negro" series. I have said before that the specific technique is a challenging one both for the silversmith and the lapidary as the stone has to be cut exactly to the dimensions of the silver elements that will be inlaid in it...

This pair of 10kt yellow gold cuff links, sporting an ivy motif, is a favorite of ours! Both because they are pretty, and because of ivy is symbolic of marriage and friendship. Sweet! The decorated ends measure ¾” x ½”, and the total weight is 3.2g. Unmarked, they test at 10k, and we believe them to be from the Victorian/Art Nouveau period. In excellent condition...

This mid-century masterpiece from Talleres de Los Ballesteros is a book-piece design shown on p. 227 of Warman's Jewelry 3rd Edition. It's an iconic bracelet, with gorgeous faceted amethysts and incised stars which are oxidized in the recesses. The amethysts sit high in four pronged settings. Opens wide to easily fit over the wrist and closes with a tight and secure tongue in box clasp. Closed, interior length is 6 3/4", with a 1 3/4" width. Weight is 122.3 grams...

This beautiful pendant/pin has a stylized floral motif, with enamel that shades from green to yellow, in a design reminiscent of a French fleur-de-lis. It is centered by a small diamond (approx. 5 points), surrounded by a pearl-set modified starburst which accents the enameled “petals.” In 14k rose gold, it measures 1” in diameter at the widest point. The bale folds down nicely when it’s worn as a pin...

Three pieces of modernist sterling jewelry by noted Vermont jeweler, Luella C. Schroeder, (1918-2004), who worked at the Cranbrook Institute before going off on her own to open a jewelry studio are available. They may be purchased individually or in any combination.

The first item is a sterling silver modernist brooch with a layer of three stylized fish on a contrasting darkened silver background. Measures 2 1/4" long and almost an inch across. Has a rollover safety clasp that holds secur...

This strikingly beautiful pin is an interesting mixture of the Art Nouveau and Victorian styles. The Victorians loved to use real insects in jewelry. This particular type was a favorite.The Nouveau jewelers loved naturalistic motifs, but generally didn’t incorporate organic substances – yet the design of the framework is very Nouveau. Marked “14k”, the pale gold setting contrasts nicely with the deep green of the beetle. The pin stem assembly is original. The clasp has a nice safety leve...

One of the better known "less celebrated" maestros of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance, AEM (or, as I like to refer to him, AE Heart because of the heart-shaped M that hugs the signature's other two initials) lived and worked in Mexico City. Of good weight and exhibiting very good craftsmanship, AEM's jewelry often emulate pieces by his more famous contemporaries but he created many original designs himself as well. I am particularly attracted to his hinged bangle bracelets and I also love hi...