I have jewelry here that I brought back from the magical town of Oaxaca including Yalalag crosses and contemporary interpretations of the crosses bringing in local cultural influences. There are earrings that have typical qualities but also an influence of the jewellery maker. They are more attractive than I can capture in my photos.
Some of the pieces below come from the silver city of Taxco as well. Very few workshops continue to make traditional work but I did find a jewellery artist who added his interpretations to traditional imagery, made with high quality and lots of imagination. All very exciting and always better in real life.
silver003. Here is an unusual silver Yalalag cross from
Oaxaca with the theme of flechas/arrows. It is large measuring 6
1/4 inches tall with three dangling decorated arrows. I found
this gorgeous the moment I first saw it. $365.US. (sold)
silver004. This is the simplest of the Yalalag crosses that
I have as the basic parts are carved from sheet silver with designs
hammered into them. They contrast nicely with the round accent
beads. The piece is 5 1/8 inches tall. $210.US.
silver007. Here is another interesting cross from Oaxaca
with the hanging loop behind the flaming heart at the top. There
is a bird perched on one side of the cross. The rest of the
milagros hanging on it are moveable. The cross is 3 1/4 inches
tall. $200.US.
silver009. There are three gorgeous silver pendants here
from an artist in Taxco. Pendant #1 is 2 1/4 inches tall and an
image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Pendant #2 is 2 3/4
inches tall and illustrates a hand holding a heart. Pendant
#3 is 2 1/2 inches tall and seems to be a combination of heart and
pavon/peacock. Pendant #1 - $85.US. Pendant #2
- $95.US. Pendant #3 - $52.US. (#2 is sold. #1 & #3 are available)
silver012. These heart earrings are 2 5/8 inches tall and
made by an artist in Taxco. The central part of the heart
reflects light and catches the colours of things around it. I
love the way the flames of the heart are portrayed. $65.US. 
silver014. These silver hand earrings from the artist in
Taxco have an eye on each palm. They measure 2 3/4 inches
tall. $65.US. (sold)
silver015. These silver earrings are 2 inches tall and
combine the typical symbols of hand, birds and heart.
$60.US.
silver016. Here is an extra tall pair of silver earrings
from an artist in Taxco. There is a pin behind the flower to
suspend them. The earrings are 4 inches tall and beautifully put
together with hand made complicated designs. Six birds are
included. Gorgeous. $235.US. (sold)
silver017. These calavera/skeleton earrings are from
Oaxaca. The filigree work is all done piece by piece so there is
a lot of labour to them. The arms and legs swing easily and the
neck swings below the head. The calaveras are 3 1/4 inches tall
and the earrings have earwires. $175.US.
silver018. I love guajolote earrings - the image of these
fat turkeys is always attractive. This turkey is caught in the
circle. The earrings have red glass pendants (a real true red,
the pic looks pale) and measure 2 3/4 inches from top to bottom.
$195.US. (These are sold but a smaller, simpler pair is below at silver069)
silver019. These earrings were made in the State of
Mexico. The glass facet cabochon in the middle catches lots of
light - not like a diamond of course but close enough. There are
two birds kissing and red (not faded like in the photo) glass beads for
contrast. The earrings are 2 1/4 inches tall. $165.US.
silver020. The corazon/heart earrings have the decorative
lines of a natural heart measuring 2 15/16 inches tall. There are
flames around all sides. These are from the jewellery designer in
Taxco. $75.US. (I have extra pairs) 
silver021. These simple coin (1928 & 1937) earrings
from Oaxaca are very traditional. There is just a small dangle at
the bottom of each. They measure 1 1/2 inches tall.
$60.US.
silver022. These are curious earrings from Oaxaca shaped
like hearts with a paisley twist. They are actually one bird in
front of another - you can see their heads at the top. One the
body is an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The earrings are a
little over 2 3/4 inches tall. $145.US. (sold) I have one pair that is a little smaller - 2 1/4 inches tall. $115.US.
silver025. There are two beautifully made sterling silver
heart pendants here, both made in Oaxaca. They both have loops
hidden behind them to hold the chain or cord for stringing them
up. Pendant #1 is a flaming heart with a sword plunged through
it. The pattern on the front is like a crown of thorns. The
heart and flames are 1 5/8 inches tall.
$145.US. Pendant #2 has some complicated imagery on
it and is only 1 5/16 inches tall. $38.US. (#1 is on hold #2 is sold)
silver026. This sterling silver heart has a cut out flame
design at the top, and a dagger plunged through it. The work on
these pieces is exact, artistic and well made - I am very pleased with
them. This piece is 2 inches tall and has a good sized hanging
loop at the back just below the flame. $110.US. (on hold)
silver029.
This is a gorgeous Calavera/ Catrina bracelet using imagery first
created by Posado for Los Días de Los Muertos. Political and
social figures are often portrayed and sly words or poems to accompany
them. This bracelet is 1 1/3 inches by 1 7/8 inches with a 1"
wide opening. The height of the bracelet is 1 5/8
inches. $280.US.
silver030. This is a rather dramatic sterling silver pin
(or can be used as a pendant) of Frida Kahlo wearing a Tehuana
resplandor around her face. The pin is 1 1/2 inches tall.
$68.US.
silver031. This pair of earrings is a pair of jarros or
judging by their size - jarritos, or pitchers. They are quite
complex to make as the jeweller has to make the round piece and then
solder on the other pieces. I wear jarros almost all of the time
and get continual compliments, and when finishing swimming, they always
carry a little water inside. From top of earwire to bottom
of pitchers, it is 1 1/2 inches. $68.US/pair (I have a few)
silver032. I have a nice group of small pendants here, with
similar designs as the earrings. Pendant #1 is 2 1/3 inches tall
including hanging loop. $26.US. Pendant #2 is 2
1/3 inches tall. $26.US. Pendant #3 is $26.US.
Pendant #4 has eyes with tears. $26.US. I have
duplicates of some of these... (#1 is remaining, the rest are sold)
silver033. I have two pairs of these hand earrings
available. From the top of the earwire to the bottom of the
pendants they measure 2 3/4 inches. $65.US.
silver034. I have two pairs of these heart earrings
available. They are made of sterling silver but the inner heart
is brass or copper... from the top of the earwire to the bottom
of the flaming heart it is 2 1/4 inches tall. The heart and flame
are 1 1/2 inches tall. $65.US. (These are sold but I have a larger sized pair below at silver060)
silver035. These are gorgeous peacocks with their tails in
rest. From the top of the earwire to the bottom of the tail as
they sit in the ear, they are just under 2 1/2 inches tall.
$95.US. (sold) 
silver036. The workshop does some gorgeous delicate and
light filgree earrings. They are very labour intensive as they
are made from wires twisted and soldered together, with silver balls
added for extra decoration. This pair is slightly under 3 1/2
inches tall. They swing beautifully. $75.US. (sold)
silver037. This is a delicate and light set of filigree
earrings. They are 3 1/2 inches tall and swing beautifully when
walking. $75.US. (sold)
silver038. This pair of filigree earrings is wound and
soldered into joining heart shaped pieces. The earrings are 2 1/4
inches tall, the discs are 1 1/4 inches across and studded with a pearl
in the middle. Traditional and elegant... $145.US.
silver039. These beautiful filigree earrings are complex
with detailed soldering and then wired with small round coral
beads. A larger coral sits in the middle. The earrings are
2 5/8 inches tall. $155.US.
silver040. I have had earrings like this made in Oaxaca but
haven't found any more there for a while. I am glad that I came
across these in Taxco (I have 2 pairs). The earrings are 3 5/8
inches tall and gather together many birds, the largest two suspending
a horse or burro. $135.US.
silver041. These lovely earrings are slightly heavier than
the average and are based on the shape of the heart. Of course
lovebirds are facing each other with a dangling heart in between.
The earrings are slightly over 3 inches tall. The dangles sparkle
as one walks. $135.US. (sold)
silver042. These sterling silver bracelets are very modern
with a great textured surface to them but at the same time they are
influenced by the stones that were used for the pyramids and other
preHispanic structures. They hook into loops so the length can be
changed a little by the choice. The bracelets are 7 inches around
to 7 7/8 inches depending on which loop you hook into. The
bracelets are 1 1/4 inches wide. $135.US/each (both bracelets are now sold)
silver043. These sterling silver earrings go beautifully
with the bracelets in silver042. Again, they are based on the
building rocks from preHispanic times. Taxco is full of rocks
with its cobbled streets and lots of stone buildings. Earrings #1
are 2 5/8 inches tall - $55.US. Earrings #2 are 2 5/8
inches tall - $55.US. Earrings #3 are 1 7/8 inches tall -
$28.US.
silver044. Here is a great group of vintage heart pendants
coming from Oaxaca, each one a little different from each other.
They are an average of 1 7/8 inches tall and each have a strong hanging
loop in the back. Heart #1 is made of bronze but was
damaged at some point and repaired with silver. It has a cross on
the back. Heart #2 is made of silver - I don't know what
grade. Heart #3 is mixed metal and has a cross on the back
similar to the first one. Heart #4 is metal and highly
oxidized for a great look. Heart #5 seems to be a low grade
silver. They are each $75.US. (#1 is sold, #2 & #3 are available, #4 & #5 are on hold)
silver045. Here is a great sterling silver vintage bracelet
from Taxco in excellent condition and ready to wear. The bracelet
has a sliding clasp to shut it tightly. The bracelet is 5/8
inches tall at the back and the carved lapis head (I think it is lapis
- dark blue with white streaks) and silver head-dress are slightly more
than 2 3/8 inches tall. The inside is 2 1/4 inches by 1 7/8
inches. The opening hinges are on each side of the head so it
opens and shuts easily. I haven't looked up the maker but there
is a photo of the stamps. $325.US.
silver046. Here is a vintage sterling silver necklace with
the Yalalag cross made in a small town in the mountains outside of
Oaxaca, México. This is quite heavy at 82.8 grams. The
necklace itself is 31 inches around and the pendant including the cross
is 4 3/4 inches long. For me (5' 7 1/2" tall) it hangs to my
waist. Wearing it feels quite amazing. $525.US. (sold)
silver047. I have three typical necklaces with Yalalag
crosses on them, bought in Oaxaca, México. They are a tradition
from a small town in the mountains. I bought these from a
jewellery store where they had been sitting for a long time (each
one is different) so are now highly oxidized. I don't like them
fully polished myself but the new owner can decide how much of the
darkening should be cleaned off. Necklace #1 has a 28 inch
long chain. The pendant part is 3 1/3 inches long.
$285.US. Necklace #2 is 24 inches in the chain with a 3
1/4 inch long pendant. $250.US. Necklace #3 is 27
inches around with a 3 inch long pendant. $265.US.
silver048. I have always liked the unusual Yalalag crosses
with the open spaces and angled shapes. This one is 3 1/8 inches
tall and is very graceful. $95.US. (sold)
silver049. There are four small Yalalag crosses to be sold
together. They are each under 1 1/2 inches tall and could wind up
as two pairs of earrings or pendants on a necklace. $65.US for
the group of four. (sold)
silver050. These are from Oaxaca, México. Pair #1 are
sterling silver pendants of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The pair is
$38.US. Item #2 is a sterling silver heart 1 5/8
inches tall plus hanging loop. $45.US. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
silver051. This piece is a vintage sterling silver pendant
from Taxco, Gro, México. It is an Aztec motif which is rarely
made these days but was very popular in the mid 1900s. The
pendant is 2 5/8 inches tall and 2 inches at the widest. It is
very nicely made of layers of silver nicely soldered together with
three dangles hanging below. I haven't seen another one like it
before. $165.US. (sold)
silver052. This is a lovely, long Yalalag cross necklace
with red glass beads. The beads go around 20 inches and have a
silver clasp to shut it. The Yalalag cross is 2 5/8 inches
tall. It has a head above the heart shaped body and wings so
appears to be an angel. $175.US.
silver053. This is a great contemporary sterling silver
Yalalag cross that has two birds on the pendants. There is a disc
too with the Virgin of Guadalupe on one side and Mary on the
other. The cross is 5 1/8 inches tall. $195.US.
silver054. This is a contemporary sterling sliver
Yalalag cross bought in the city of Oaxaca, México. This is very
typical, nicely heavy and sits well. The piece is 4 1/8 inches
long. $165.US. (sold)
silver055. There are two pairs of fish earrings from Oaxaca
here. Earrings #1 are 2 7/8 inches tall and have red glass
eyes. Earrings #2 have eyes that look like tiny
pearls. They are 3 inches tall. $85.US/each pair. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
silver056. These lovely earrings from Oaxaca have glass facet
rectangles in them that are brighter coloured than in the photo.
They are a bright magenta colour. The earrings are 2 3/8 inches
tall, have pairs of birds on them, and tiny pearls at the bottom.
$95.US. (sold)
silver057. There are two pairs of earrings here both
featuring Yalalag crosses in different styles. Earrings #1
are 2 1/4 inches tall - $85.US. Earrings #2 are 2 5/8
inches tall - $95.US. (all are sold)
silver058. This silver chain holds the famous Aztec
Calendar cast in silver. The chain is 29 inches long and the
pendant is 3/4 inch in diameter. Simple and beautiful.
$110.US.
