A graduate of the Parson's School of Design in Paris, Erika Hult de Corral is one of my favorite modernist designers and silversmiths in the context of Mexican silver jewelry. Spanning a few decades, her work is unfailingly of the highest quality with attention paid not only to materials but also to finishing and, of course, imaginative design. The ring presented here, wrought in sterling and centered by a scrumptious tiger's eye stone, can also be found with Enrique Ledesma's signature...

I was always in love with beaded necklaces but as I grow older I appreciate their elegant comfort even more. Whether worn alone or combined with similar pieces, with stones or all-silver, they can be counted on to save the day whatever the occasion. This specific design by Carmen Beckmann is one of my absolute favorites - I have one in my jewelry box and I will never let go...

Slender, elongated, hand-wrought fine silver feathers that end in a playful curl make up this set of "swan wing" modernist earrings by Antonio Pineda. I have to admit that this is one of the most unexpected Antonio creations I have ever encountered. When I first saw it, I thought that the clip-ons would have to surely be a later replacement yet I have since seen a similar pair and that one too had the same findings. Now these are earrings for those not afraid to .....

A rather rare design - I have never encountered it before - by Enrique Ledesma, this pair of earrings brings to mind classical representations of the Aztec Sun Disk yet, in fact, the figure centering them is Tlaltecuhtli, one of the Mexica Earth deities, often referred to as the Earth Monster...

Absolutely stunning very big Danish sterling silver modernist vintage 1960s statement size ring with luminous blue green abalone shell inlay, by Danish jewelry maker Arne Johansen. Marked 925S and DENMARK, and signed AJ. Ring size 7. Great size -- the top is 1 3/8 inches long, 5/8 inch wide, and stands 1/4 inch off the finger. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

A beautiful and rare 950 silver bracelet with cabochon stones of amethyst,green beryl, pink tourmaline, and citrine by Brazilian jeweler Haroldo Burle Marx who was the brother of Roberto Burle Marx, also a jeweler and notable landscape architect. This bracelet was designed for and sold at The Altomar Collection, which was a small boutique in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. from 1982 until 1999. It measures 5 3/4" around in the inside plus an additional 1 1/4" opening...

A rare, spectacular Erika Hult de Corral set consisting of two square sterling silver bangles with wood inlay (I believe probably rosewood) this pair is a feast for the eyes and such a treat for the vintage Mexican jewelry collector who also seeks out the few (but amazingly talented) female designers of the field...

Signed by a listed “middle period” Taxco maestro primarily known for his repousse work, this 1950s carved azur-malachite and sterling “mask” pendant necklace is as stunning as it is unexpected. Dark blues, deep greens and earthy browns add depth and gravity to the stone, making the ancient figure’s features as stern in sleep as they must have been in that life lived centuries ago...

An amazing 'checkerboard' sterling silver modernist necklace by Georg Jensen, #191. Designed by Ernst Forsmann. Measures 15" long and 1/2" wide. Has a hook closure and two secure safety clasps. Marked Georg Jensen in a dotted oval, 925S, Denmark, and 191. Wonderful condition. Heavy and intricate, looks spectacular on! A very special piece.

An amazing sterling and fire opals bracelet by Mexican designer Carmen Beckmann. The stones are varied and vibrant in color and are all in beautiful condition. Beckmann is one of the few well known women Mexican silversmiths of her time, active primarily in the 60's and 70's and having a shop in San Miguel de Allende. Measuring 8" end to end, this bracelet is 7/8" wide and weighs 103 grams. No condition issues, secure push in clasp. Signed as shown. A rare and spectacular Beckmann piece.

Classic Antonio Pineda bangle bracelet wrought in the maestro's favorite, .970 fine silver alloy with deep notches all around it that appear more dramatic thanks to the intentionally applied oxidation. There is something about Antonio's jewelry that bring them close to your heart as soon as you first see them and this piece is no exception. Enjoy it alone or, if you are lucky enough, add it to the stack of his bangles you already have...

This mid-century bracelet was produced by RTA. I've had a few RTA pieces over the years, all based on Antonio Pineda designs, all of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. This design is known as "birdcage", and it is absolutely stunning. It has everything going for it. Large and quite substantial, it weighs 126.5 grams. Wears beautifully and feels luxurious on the wrist. Measures a closed, wearable length of 7". Width is 1 9/16"...

Beautiful vintage sterling handmade cuff bracelet signed H&H. The design and execution reflect the talent of a master jeweler but I have been unable to identify the hallmark. The bracelet measures 5 3/8" around in the inside plus an additional 1 1/4" opening. It is 1 1/4" wide and weighs 76 grams. Signed H&H Handmade Sterling. Fine original condition. A mystery piece that is exquisite.

Slick, a modernist dream-come-true, crafted with the highest quality of craftsmanship and studded with the most beautiful tiger's eye you have ever seen, this slick Mexican silver necklace was made in Taxco in the 1950s-60s...

One of my favorite female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance (and admittedly, they aren't so many to begin with), Carmen Beckmann was a rather flexible maestra, able to create in many different styles. using a variety of materials. Her jewelry can be massive and jaw-dropping but quite as easily delicate and more sophisticated...

A rare sterling overscale hinged six panel bracelet in an overlapping petal motif by Danish Modernist Bent Knudsen. Each heavy gauge silver petal has a slightly concave design, is hinged and has a smooth edge. The clasp is an ingenious screw bolt. It measures 7 " end to end, is 2" wide and weighs a very substantial 138 grams. The scale and weight set this bracelet apart from all others of similar design...

This great, puffer fish / blow fish pendant can also be worn as a charm. It measures 1 1/8" from mouth to tail and is 3/4" "tall." It has blue rhinestone eyes and a wonderful, Mexican design. The tail is marked MEXICO 925, below initials that looks like CRL - ( all marks are slightly unstamped--see pictures). It is in excellent condition.

This ring made by Erik Granit & Co of Finland has a sleek and modest design. The garnet is sawtooth-set. The shank is marked "E. GRANIT & Co DESIGN JEWELLRY." The other side is signed "EG" (stylized maker's mark), "925H," boat (for Helsinki), "R7" (for 1970) and "925 STERLING FINLAND." It is a size 6 and is in excellent condition.