Identifying Vintage Taxco Earrings: A Gemstone & Metal Mystery

Question
Hello,

We are trying to find some information on a pair of vintage earrings we found.  
They are possibly sterling silver, triangular, with Abalone inlay in a
rectangle/stairs type pattern.  On the back it says "Hecho en" Taxco (?) with
SC in the middle of the stamp.  I don't know if you have any
expertise/knowledge with such matters, but we can't find anything online
about these pieces.  Any help would be appreciated!

Answer
I can't help with stamps and hallmarks, but as you may have already found out, Hecho en Taxco, means Made in Taxco in Spanish. Taxco is a silver mining town that has been mining silver and other metals since Colonial times in the Guerrero state of Mexico south of Mexico City. In fact, the wikipedia article on Taxco states that Taxco is the world's silver capital. Based on the style and your description, I would say the probability that the piece is silver is near 100% certain.

I can't guess as to the meaning of SC, but it could be the jeweler/craftsman's initials. Markings such as these are proprietary and could mean anything the jeweler intended.

Inlays of stone, shell, and other minerals such as what you describe are common in Mexican and Southwestern US Indian jewelry. The vast majority of which is made in silver.

To investigate further, you would probably need to visit Taxco yourself and start inquiring, as well as seeking out other pieces that may have this SC mark. However, I think the chances of identifying anything more useful than what you already know, is very low. The wiki states that there are some 200 silver shops there, which could mean that if it is vintage, there may have been thousands of silver craftsman to work in Taxco since they were made. Most of these would go unknown for their work unless they were truly noteworthy.

Also, if you're curious of value, silver jewelry is very cheap. Only work done by recognized and reknowned artists/silversmiths have significant values. And in such cases, its the workmanship and the artist that you're paying for, not the silver.

Best of luck!. Be sure to leave a rating.