This Antonio Pineda ring features an oval turquoise cabochon alongside a pearl in this very flattering modernist design. It's a book piece design shown with a jade stone on p. 136 of Silver Seduction : The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda. Size is a generous 6.5. Face measures 3/4" x 13/16". Weight is 9.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco crown, JVL Taxco 970, and the eagle assay 208. In excellent vintage condition.

This charming ring was made from 10kt (marked and tested) yellow gold, with a marquise or navette-shaped ruby flanked by two tiny accent diamonds. (Ruby is the birthstone for July, and is a symbol of devotion, love, and immortality – so lovely!) It also has a maker’s mark, which is either “QI” or “OJ”. The 2 diamonds are set in white metal – it’s not possible to tell whether it is silver or platinum. It’s size six and could be re-sized...

This striking stick pin was made in the shape of an arrow head. It features a sparkly cognac-colored diamond of approximately 10 points (a tenth of a carat), but it looks bigger. Above and below the diamond are 2 lovely (cultured?) champagne-colored pearls...

This is a magnificent Antonio Pineda bracelet which I've never seen before and believe to be very rare. Likely dating to the 1950's, this bracelet showcases three natural untreated blue star sapphire stones. The center stone is approx 5 ct. Each stone sits in a star setting. Very unique, and certainly a statement piece. You can see the star It's a huge bracelet, with a weight of 155.2 grams. Closed, wearable length is 6 1/4". With is 1 1/2"...

Silver lipstick cases / holders from Italy are not a rare occurrence yet how often do you come upon a signed Peruzzi example? As difficult to find as it is beautiful, this one has it all - the signature, the warm patina, the delicate floral etched decoration and tiny little sparkling red rhinestones at the center of each dainty flower. Even the tab that holds the pop-up mirror is shaped like a multi-petaled bloom. A collector's dream-come-true the case measures 2/3" wide and deep by 2 3/8" tall...

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.

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. Yet here too the prowess of the maestros who created the buckle is evident in the absolutely smooth "image" they created by combining the two materials - if you...

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. They would be great for historical reenactment events! The photos are part of the description, so please examine them carefull...

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. We had the enamel touched up a little at the edges, to restore it to its original exce...

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...

Offered here as a pair, these beautiful vintage heishi necklaces are made up of slender shell disks, turquoise, silver and glass beads and what I think are most probably shark teeth. They have been with me for a long, long time and I always thought I would combine them into one longer piece yet never gotten around to it. So it's time for them to go to a new, loving home where they will be worn and enjoyed once again. Please note the rich colors of the turquoise chunks and the wonderful patina th...

This sterling silver buckle features translucent (plique a jour) enamel in a floral motif. These sash buckles with plique are quite unusual. The enamel is red, green, and two shades of blue. It is signed with a “JK” above another “JK” in a box. There are marks for London, 1886, and a duty mark. Measuring 3-1/8” x 2-1/4", it weighs 32.7g or 1.16 oz. It is in very good condition. (The plique has a few hairlines and some bubbles, which is normal for this type of enamel.) The red and blue ...

We found this sweet pair of earrings in London, England. Rubies symbolize love and immortality. Pearls symbolize purity and harmony. What a perfect combination for these pretty earrings! They test as 10kt gold, although they are marked 375 for 9kt (this often happens in older jewelry). The hanging flower basket motif is quite charming. They contain a total of 16 rubies and 18 seed pearls. The total length is 1-7/8”, and together they weight 4.3g. As is often the case with older earrings, it’...

Big and early as indicated by the .900 silver alloy used to craft it, this Mexican Deco silver repousse "mask" brooch I particularly love because of the gorgeous stone out of which the portrait is carved as well as the pronounced repoussage of the frame that surrounds it. If you follow my "journey", you already know that I am drawn to Mexican "mask" jewelry. I consider them quintessentially "Mexican Deco" and believe that they epitomize the spirit of the period in which they started being made...

Made in the 1960s, this vintage Mexican sterling silver bracelet consists of figural disks developing in a row defined by lengths of double-woven, thick chain. I have seen this combination featuring three different kinds of disk designs. While here we have depictions of the country's history as well as symbols of its old religion (a jaguar warrior portrait, Quetzalcoatl, Mexico's state Eagle) the specific bracelet design can be found with Mexican coins or representations of the zodiac cycle. I l...

This graceful pin is from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era. The round peridot is framed by an oval of seed pearls, between delicate arabesques of gold set with more seed pearls, for a total of 30 (2 are replacements). Stamped 14k on the back, with an illegible maker’s mark, it measures 1-½” x 7/16" and weighs 2.0g. The peridot is slightly scratched, and the safety is a little loose and fussy, but in overall very good antique condition and with a nice patina. Circa 1910. Brought to Europe by th...

This unusual enameled sterling pendant comes out of the Arts & Crafts movement, roughly 1880-1920 (it can be argued that it still continues!) The enamel colors are associated with the women’s suffrage movement in the UK: green (Give), white (Women the), and violet (Vote) – or at least, that’s the story! The free-standing wire work (so unusual!) interlaces around the body of the piece, and holds an oval of mother-of-pearl in place. Also unusual is the use of some brown enamel. There is a li...

Traditional Balinese bangle and ring, sterling silver with silver pearl filigree and gold inlay. 1950’s (?), marked 925 and 22 K. The inner width of the bangle is "2 ½ / 6.8 cm, inner diameter of the ring "2/3/ 18 mm. Condition: some wear to the bangle’s gold inlay (cf. pics).

This sweet little lavalier is centered by a blue sapphire cabochon within an Art Nouveau framework of 14kt yellow gold. Above is a pearl. It was made by the well known Whiteside & Blank company of Newark, NJ, and stamped “14”. When we found it, it was a ring that had been made from a stickpin, so we felt free to remake it into a lavalier (it didn’t work very well as a ring). It measures just under 1 inch from the top of the bail by 1/2” at the widest point. Circa 1900. We have 14kt gold ...

This sweet brooch depicts two adorable cupids, a boy and a girl, looking serene and loving. Their plique a jour (translucent enamel) wings are a pale purple or mauve color, nicely complimenting the 900 silver. The girl is wearing a tiny necklace of roses. The pin measures 1” x 1-3/4” and weighs 5.7g. The clasp might be a replacement, but the rest is all original, and the pin is in excellent antique condition. It is stamped “DEPOSE” (“patent or registration in France,” but other count...

A rarely seen design this elegant bracelet by the famous Antonio Pineda has a unique design with links in a curved, open work design. It measure 6 7/8" long by 7/8" wide and weighs 49.8 grams. In good vintage condition with only light wear and tarnish, it has a lovely deep patina. With a secure box clasp and attached safety chain. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, 970, Made in Mexico and the eagle 17. A lovely bracelet with a great design that you'll wear for a lifetime.

One of Hector Aguilar's most iconic designs done in his signature 940 silver. Known as the Fertility Bracelet it is featured in the books "Mexican Silver" and "Silver Masters of Mexico". It measures 7" long by 7/8" wide and is quite heavy at 91.1 grams. Signed with the HA mono, 940, Taxco Mexico and the eagle stamp. It has the early style pin closure and is in good condition with no damage noted. An iconic bracelet by one of the finest Mexican Silver Jewelry artist.

A modernist sterling silver heavy pendant necklace signed Gra-Wun for the Scottsdale Arizona jeweler Ray Graves. The central pendant is textured and layered for an interesting effect. The hand wrought links are concave on two sides.

The pendant measures 2 1/4" across and 1 3/8" high. The necklace measures about 26" in total. Weighs 75 gr. Has no closure, meant to be slipped over the head.

Etched Gra-Wun, Sterling and Handmade on the back. Has a date inscription that reads Aug. 14 1980.

This brooch features an ancient Celtic design: two birds (probably swans) with enameled wings, bodies and eyes, with interlaced silver above and below. The enamel is in red, blue, green, and white. It is marked 925 for sterling silver, and has several other marks which are illegible. 1-1/2” X 1-1/4”. There are a couple places where the enamel isn’t quite perfect – please see photos. Probably a more recent casting of an older piece, and very pretty indeed! The photos are part of the desc...

A spectacular pair of vintage Antonio Pineda Earrings with a bold modernist design. With a half dome at the top it features an elongated trumpet shape silver dangle with a cone shaped Amethyst stone set slightly inside so that it hangs from the end. They measure 3" long and together they weigh 26.6 grams. One earring has the Antonio Taxco Crown mark and the other is marked with the eagle 17. In good vintage condition with the typical screw backs. A very special and rare pair of earrings by a tru...