Vintage 1990s TAXCO Rock Crystal Orb and Sterling Silver Bypass Southwestern Ring Size 7

Description

Vintage 1990s Taxco rock crystal orb and sterling silver bypass ring. This simple and interesting ring features one perfectly round orb of rock crystal quartz prong set into sterling silver. The sterling wraps around the quartz in a bypass fashion, which gives it a sense of movement. Very different and unusual ring for Taxco, most likely inspired by the 1920s Pools of Light jewelry.

Taxco silver is highly coveted and collectible, with a high quality of craftsmanship in each piece. Taxco is a tiny town between Acapulco and Mexico City with a long mining history. In the late 1920s, a highway finally extended to Taxco, which enabled William Spratling, a gentleman from the US, to find the town and discover the potential in the artisan community. He invited great metalsmiths to join him in apprenticing young artists, and the world took notice of the divine craftsmanship in the jewelry produced.

The ring is in very good vintage condition. The sterling shows areas of patina, mostly in the hallmarks and on the inside of the shank. The rock crystal was tested and is securely set into the ring. The orb does rotate if you roll it, but it was designed to do that. The quartz is not chipped or cracked. The inside of the shank is stamped TB-78, the artist was based in Taxco, and their name started with B. It is also stamped 925 for sterling silver. The ring is hand made, so there are signs of the artist’s tool marks. The shank is not bent or warped. The silver has typical signs of wear, small lines, and scratches from use.

The ring is a size 7 and can be sized. The head measures 1/2″ tall and wide.

I try to show an accurate picture of the item in my photographs and the written description. Please note the size given in the description, as photographs can often look bigger than the actual object.

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