The city of Taxco is located in the state of Guerrero, about 170 kilometers south-west of Mexico City. Although the mining industry has subsided in recent years, tourism is booming. Shops line the streets where local artisans sell anything from and necklaces to silverware and fancy containers. One of the finest and most well-known shops is, Los Ballesteros. Founded in 1937, the company has gone on to open new stores throughout Mexico and other countries. Taxco is also home to three silversmith museums, displaying some of the finest pieces ever created.

The breath-taking quality of the Taxco jewelry owes itself to a man named William Spratling. Trained in America as an architect, William Spratling moved to Taxco after spending several summers in Mexico. Realizing that there was no native silver-working industry, he began to design his own works and hire local goldsmiths to produce them. As his business grew, Mr. Spratling started an apprenticeship program and began training locals in the art of designing jewelry. Many silversmiths trained through the William Spratling apprenticeship program went on to open their own shops and passed on their trade to the next generation of artisans.

Although producing Taxco sterling silver jewelry remains a local art, the end product has found its way onto the internet in a big way. A simple search for Taxco jewelry returns over 900,000 results. High-end jewelry stores and wholesale retailers provide , earrings, pendants and more. Increased accessibility and a booming export market will no doubt keep artisans in Mexico perfecting their crafts for years to come.

If you are a collector of fine jewelry or simply appreciate breathtaking art, Taxco silver jewelry is a definitely work exploring. With rich historical detail, exotic influences and a skilled community, it is no wonder that the jewelry from Mexico is world-renowned.