Mexico is renowned for its diverse and vibrant jewelry traditions that date back thousands of years. From pre-Hispanic cultures like the Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs and others, to the influences of the Spanish colonization, Mexico’s jewelers have developed distinctive styles and techniques that make Mexican jewelry highly sought-after worldwide.
Pre-Hispanic Jewelry Styles
The ancient civilizations that thrived in Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest created intricate jewelry using materials available in their local environments. Gold, silver, copper, shell, bones, feathers, wood, seeds, stones and more were artistically transformed into rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and other adornments.
Common motifs seen in pre-Hispanic jewelry include:
- Glyphs, gods and symbolic images from mythology and religion
- Animals like birds, monkeys, jaguars, snakes, frogs, fish and insects
- Geometric shapes and patterns
- Stylized depictions of plants, flowers and trees
- Human faces and figures
Skilled pre-Hispanic jewelers developed advanced metalworking techniques like filigree, lost-wax casting, soldering, gilding, granulation, repoussé and more to create their intricate designs. Stones were expertly carved into beads, pendants and inlays for mosaic pieces.
Olmec Jewelry (c. 1500-400 BCE)
The Olmec civilization flourished along the Gulf coast of Mexico. Jade, serpentine, quartz and other greenstones were the materials of choice for Olmec jewelry. Large mosaic masks, 3D carvings and beads were common forms.
Maya Jewelry (c. 2000 BCE-1524 CE)
The Maya excelled at jewelry making and wore adornments from head to toe. Elaborate ear ornaments and beadwork necklaces and bracelets were popular. Jade, bone, obsidian, shell, wood and metals were used.
Aztec Jewelry (c. 1400-1521 CE)
The Aztec empire valued luxurious jewelry as an indicator of rank and wealth. Chalchihuitl, a precious greenstone, was highly valued, as was gold. Mosaic pieces, symbolic pendants and ear flare plugs were common.
Mixtec Jewelry (c. 900-1520 CE)
The Mixtec of Oaxaca were renowned goldsmiths. They created intricate cast gold jewelry with fine filigree details. Motifs included gods, rituals, animals and geometric designs.
Traditional Mexican Jewelry Styles
After the Spanish conquest, new jewelry-making techniques and materials were introduced to indigenous artisans. Over the centuries, distinctive regional styles developed, blending native and colonial influences.
Taxco Silver Jewelry
Taxco, located in the state of Guerrero, is renowned internationally for its silver. Taxco jewelry is marked by:
- High purity silverwork with no plating
- Intricate designs with fine details
- Motifs inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures and local plants/animals
- Popular forms like rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings
Huichol Beaded Jewelry
The Huichol people of Jalisco and Nayarit create colorful beaded jewelry embedded with spiritual symbolism. Common features include:
- Tiny glass seed beads in bright colors
- Geometric patterns and nature motifs like deer, peyote and corn
- Sacred symbols relating to Huichol rituals and deities
- Handcrafted wooden bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings
Amber Jewelry from Chiapas
Chiapas amber is renowned for its clarity and colors. Amber jewelry from this region often features:
- Rare transparent amber in honey, cherry, green and other hues
- Insects and plants encased within the amber
- Carved pendants, beads, rings and earrings
- Sterling silver settings
Copper Jewelry from Michoacán
Michoacán artisans specialize in copper jewelry incorporating pre-Hispanic motifs. Typical features include:
- Dark oxidized copper with engraved or embossed designs
- Depictions of butterflies, birds, flowers and geometric patterns
- Coiled copper bracelets and pendants
- Some pieces combining copper and abalone shell
Jewelry Hotspots in Mexico
Certain towns and cities around Mexico have become important jewelry centers specializing in different materials and styles.
Taxco
Taxco, in the state of Guerrero, is renowned for its silver. Over 200 family-run workshops produce stunning silver creations embedded with pre-Hispanic motifs and styling.
San Miguel de Allende
This picturesque town in Guanajuato has a thriving artisan market. Jewelry shops specialize in diverse crafts like macramé, beadwork, enameling, Huichol designs, amber and mixed metals.
Guadalajara
As Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara is a hub for traditional and contemporary jewelry. The city has a reputation for Huichol beaded works and delicate filigree silver.
Mexico City
Being the nation’s capital and largest city, Mexico City offers an enormous selection of jewelry. Shoppers can find everything from cheap market trinkets to high-end contemporary designs.
Contemporary Mexican Jewelry
Many modern designers are putting unique twists on classic Mexican jewelry styles and incorporating new materials and trends.
Margo Hartman
This Mexico City brand blends pre-Hispanic motifs with striking minimalist forms. Pure silver pieces feature geometric shapes and ancient symbols.
Daniel Espinosa
This contemporary jeweler experiments with mixed metals and unexpected materials like rubber. His edgy, fashion-forward designs have worldwide appeal.
Jorge Manilla
Drawing inspiration from Huichol beadwork, Manilla creates one-of-a-kind works with glass beads, plexiglass, resins and metals. Vibrant colors and organic forms define his style.
Carla Fernández
This designer works with indigenous artisans to create conceptual jewelry with traditional roots. She utilizes natural materials like bone, horn, wood and handwoven textiles.
Unique Materials Used in Mexican Jewelry
Jewelry artisans across Mexico utilize diverse regional and imported materials to create their works.
Silver
Purified silver is molded, stamped, engraved and carved into jewelry. Taxco is especially renowned for fine silver pieces.
Gold
Gold jewelry has ancient roots in Mesoamerica. Contemporary jewelers continue using high karat gold in their designs.
Precious & Semi-Precious Stones
Stones like amber, opal, coral, onyx, jade and amethyst are set into jewelry or carved into beads and pendants.
Pearls
Cultured and natural pearls from the Sea of Cortez are a popular jewelry material, particularly in Baja California.
Copper
Mexican artisans have perfected the age-old technique of hand-hammering copper. Michoacán is especially known for copper jewelry.
Enamel
Colorful enamel inlay and enameling techniques add vibrant accents to jewelry pieces.
Glass Seed Beads
Multicolored seed bead imported from Europe are integral to Huichol and Yoreme beadwork.
Wood
Lightweight tropical hardwoods like copal are carved into beads or decorative elements.
Shell
Mother of pearl, abalone, conch and other shells are crafted into beads, buttons and inlays.
Leather & Textiles
Woven fabrics, leather cords and other textile elements provide unique accents.
Jewelry Making Techniques
Mexican jewelers employ diverse specialized techniques passed down through generations.
Lost Wax Casting
This ancient method is used to cast complex gold and silver pieces. The model is carved in wax, molded, then melted away.
Filigree
Thin wires of gold or silver are twisted into delicate mesh-like designs and soldered onto jewelry.
Mosaic Inlay
Tiny pieces of stone, shell or enamel are precision cut and set into channels on jewelry surfaces.
Granulation
Tiny gold granules are fused onto a metal surface to form patterns. This technique originated in Mesoamerica.
Hammering & Engraving
Metal surfaces are decorated using hammering techniques and hand engraving tools.
Repoussé
Relief designs are hammered into malleable metals from the reverse side to create raised detailing.
Enameling
Powdered glass is fired onto metal surfaces in layers to create colorful designs.
Beadwork
Techniques like loom weaving, tying, stringing and wrapping are used to create beaded jewelry.
Key Characteristics
Some defining characteristics of Mexican jewelry include:
- Intricate, detailed handcraftsmanship
- Vibrant colors and color combinations
- Labor-intensive production methods passed down for generations
- Blending of indigenous, colonial Spanish and modern influences
- Meaningful designs with links to Mexican culture and identity
- Use of traditional regional materials
- Increasing use of alternative materials by contemporary designers
Popular Tourist Jewelry
Visitors to Mexico will find countless jewelry stands, markets and shops catering to tourists. Some typical finds include:
- Taxco silver – rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets
- Beaded bracelets and necklaces
- Copper cuffs and earrings
- Clay bead and ceramic jewelry
- Leather and cord jewelry with regional symbols
- Jewelry incorporating river stones, shells, wood and beads
- Talavera and glazed ceramic jewelry
- Jade and amber reproductions
These affordable souvenirs allow tourists to take home a small memento showcasing Mexican creativity and craftsmanship.
High End & Designer Mexican Jewelry
Exclusive jewelry from top Mexican jewelers can be found in high-end boutiques and galleries, generally clustered in the major cities and tourism hotspots.
Some leading modern designers creating unique fine jewelry include:
- Daniel Espinosa – mixed metals and avant-garde designs
- Margo Hartman – minimalist silver with pre-Hispanic symbols
- Jorge Manilla – conceptual beaded works
- Rebeca Lizardi – geometric gold jewelry
- Malermo – modernist jewelry utilizing leather, wood and bone
There is also a thriving market for antique and vintage Mexican jewelry. Rare pre-Hispanic, colonial-era and turn-of-the-century pieces can be found at high-end vintage dealers and auction houses.
Where to Buy Mexican Jewelry
Mexican jewelry can be purchased across a diversity of retail channels:
Craft Markets & Fairs
Open-air markets in cities like Mexico City, Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende provide direct purchasing from artists and cooperatives. Larger annual fairs bring together artisans from all over Mexico.
Boutiques
In tourist destinations, jewelry boutiques curate their inventory from various villages, artists and farms. Quality and origin can be researched.
Department Stores
Major Mexican department store chains like El Puerto de Liverpool carry affordable Mexican jewelry and souvenirs.
Museum Gift Shops
Shops at museums like the National Museum of Anthropology have well-curated selections of authentic pieces.
Online Retailers
Websites like Etsy connect buyers to hundreds of Mexican artisans. Larger sites offer a wide variety of Mexican designers and traditional pieces.
Gallery Exhibitions
In cities, contemporary fine jewelry artists showcase their new collections through gallery shows and pop-up events.
Factory Outlets
Many major silver and jewelry workshops in Taxco and other towns have factory outlets with discounted items.
Wholesale Markets
Retailers source inventory at massive wholesale markets like La Merced in Mexico City and Centro Joyero in Guadalajara.
Caring for Mexican Jewelry
To help jewelry last, special care is recommended:
- Store pieces in soft pouches to avoid scratches
- Apply clear nail polish on threaded areas of silver to reduce tarnish
- Use polish formulated for silver, gold or specific stones
- Avoid getting jewelry wet, even silver
- For beaded jewelry, restring on new cord periodically
- Clean amber with a soft cloth to remove oil and dirt
- Take jewelry to a professional for repairs and serious cleaning
Conclusion
Mexican jewelry has a rich cultural heritage and an amazing diversity of styles, materials and techniques. Each region of Mexico is renowned for certain specialty crafts that have been passed down through generations. From the ancient civilizations to the present day, Mexican jewelry remains a beautiful symbol of creativity, tradition, culture and pride.
