Earrings are a hugely popular item in Mexico, with most woman of all ages wearing them.  The art of creating beautiful jewellery is a very important one.
The first group of items came from a studio in Oaxaca named "Blue Jaguar"  and carry on traditions brought by the Spaniards hundreds of years ago.  These are labour intensive pieces, with most parts constructed from sheet silver and from wire.  Only a few pieces are cast, and those are generally the hands which clasp onto the top pendants of the drops.  The rest are cut, hammered, decorated, soldered, etc...  Wires are wrapped and curved and magically transformed into beautiful and delicate shapes. 
Wonderfully, parts like hands are made opposite to each other with the left hand on the left - - and the right hand on the right.  The decorative birds are created to copy specific types.  The modern decorative element is the glass, the stones, and the pearls adding colour to the pieces.  I apologize for the poor quality of my images here - I do promise that they are of good colour, beautiful texture, and much nicer than they appear.
Many of the images have enlargements if you click on them.  If the image of MEX01 measures 3 1/4 inches tall, then you will be seeing everything life size.  The earrings are all pierced and the earring hoops have little locks in the back so that they would be difficult to lose. 

   MEX01.   These two pairs of earrings are made of silver but gold plated twice over.  The gold will not wear down quickly but maintain its warm colour for a long time.  Earrings #1 are just under 1 1/2 inches long, are set with clear blue glass and have pale bluish pearls hanging from them.  $76.US.   Earrings # 2 are just under 3 inches long and are set with pale glass.  Branches embrace the top and birds fly across the bottom.  $110.US.   (#1 is available)
   MEX02.   Four pendants, set with glass - are illustrated here.  They measure 1 3/16 inches tall from top of loop to bottom of pendants.  They come with sterling chains.  They are brilliantly coloured and a wonderful touch at the neck.  Pendant #2 is actually the colour of amethyst.  $45.US/each.   (#1, #3 & #4 are sold - #2 is available)
   MEX04.   These three pairs of "hand" earrings are simple and striking.  An image which I always keep in my mind when thinking of Mexico is the extension of the hands raised in the air to say thank you for their lives.  Hands are symbolically important all over the world.  These earrings measure 11/16 inches long from the top of the hoop to the bottom of the pendant.  Their colouring is much better than it appears.  Earrings #1 are made of a nice pale blue topaz, #2 are made of citrine, and #3 of a rather lilac coloured iolite.  The earrings are $44.US/each pair.   (#2 is available)
   MEX13.   These brilliant earrings are 2 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches tall.  They have 4 different birds illustrated on each earring along with winding tendrils and different plants.  The inner loop holding the little moon shaped swing is shaped like a bird itself with its tail on the left and its head on the right.  They are just amazing and quite light in weight so easy to wear.  $175.US.
  BLU02.   This is a very attractive ring which sits like a flower on the finger.  The band and the petals on the side are made of sterling silver, and the center of the blossom is a facet glass stone.  The ring fits a size 7 1/2.  $115.US.
 

THE COMPLEX AND CORAL STUDDED EARRINGS BELOW ARE FROM A DIFFERENT JEWELLER IN OAXACA.  THE WORK IS VERY TYPICAL AND TRADITIONAL FIRST INFLUENCED BY THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPANISH - - AND SIMILAR ITEMS CAN BE SEEN IN BOOKS AND IN THE MUSEUMS...  The work in these is extroardinary...

  OAX01.   These wonderful earrings with the traditional symbols of hands and birds are quite stunning.  They measure just under 2 3/4 inches from top to bottom and have a great deal of grace to them.   $210.US.
  OAX02.   The silver swirls are captivating, each piece of wire twisted and soldered one at a time.  The birds sit sweetly and the earrings have a rounded disc sitting at the bottom like a shallow silver bowl.  They are quite amazing.  They are 3 1/8 inches tall and heavier than average.   $225.US.
  OAX03.   This is a lighter pair of earrings that swing easily.  They are a great little accent.  They measure 2 5/8 inches tall.   $145.US.
  OAX04.   Earrings like these have been traditional for hundreds of years both in gold and in silver.  The spriralled silver is studded with round coral beads.  It curves towards the body at the bottom and the little bead dangle hangs nicely.  They are elegant and attractive.  I have a similar pair myself and constantly receive compliments.   $225.US.
  OAX05.   Work and more work.  Each one of the silver twists and curves are shaped and soldered one at a time onto the earrings.  Remarkably enough the jeweller is skilled enough to make the two earrings identical.  All that work...  I am very impressed.  The earrings are large 2 5/8 inches tall but fairly light weight because of their lacey structure.  They swing and shift very nicely when walking.   $235.US.   
  OAX06.   I fall in love with each pair of earrings that I acquire from Oaxaca, Mexico.  These sterling silver earrings are 3 3/4 inches long from the top of the earhooks to the bottom of the pendants.  All is decorated with small coral beads.  These earrings move nicely, swing when walking, and are given many compliments.   $235.US.

Here is jewellery from five other joyeros or solderos (jewellers) in Oaxaca.  You can see the traditions being carried on as well as some interesting modernizations at times.  A typical framework with modern decorative elements is really exciting.  Some of these pieces are darkened by their reaction with the air, and can be polished if you like.  I like leaving them like this as buyers appreciate different levels of luster so can shine exactly as much as pleases them the most.

There are also some silver pieces along the line of the surviving preColumbian gold (much more was melted by the Spanish so we have no idea of all that existed).  If you ever visit Oaxaca an excellent stop is the museum in the Santo Domingo Convent and Monastery.  The famous pieces from tomb 7 of Monte Alban sit quietly there.  You can also see traditional work influenced by the Spanish similar to some of the work on this page.

Below there are some Yalalag crosses in various forms as well.  Yalalag is a mountain town a few hours from Oaxaca when on a slow road and the crosses have been made there, in various forms, for hundreds of years.  Stories go back to the sixteenth century with the implication at times that the Dominicans travelling on the Spanish boats showed their own crosses, and these are interpretations of those.  They are generally worn by woman on ribbons or beads but now we have earrings being made as well.

  OAX07.   I have two versions of these earrings - these and the larger ones below.  The birds kissing above, the burro in one and horse in the other, the moon slung below, and the birds beneath...  I am sure there is a large amount of symbolism here but I need to discover it.  These earrings are 3 1/2 inches tall.   $140.US.
  OAX08.   This is the larger version of OAX07 above.  They seem to be a vision of an entire world.  These are 4 inches tall and swing nicely when one walks.   210.US.
  OAX09.   I love the shape of these earrings.  The way that they flare like the wings of a butterfly to the sides is very complementary to a woman's face.  These are 2 3/8 inches tall.   $140.US.
  OAX10.    I was asked to find some large earrings and here is a good example.  The delicate filigree is the home of 5 birds on each earring.  They are 3 3/4 inches tall.   $165.US.
  OAX11.   This is a complex and very romantic pair of earrings.  They are a little heavier than average as well as a fair bit of silver is used.  The entire piece swings from the flower with the earwire, a moon shaped piece with a hand swings between the larger birds, and a pitcher or jarro hangs at the bottom.  On the side of the jarros is the word "AMOR" with a flower alongside.  Amor means love.  How perfect!  $195.US.
  OAX12.   These are very sweet and complex earrings with the kissing birds and a facet pink stone set in the flower above.  They move nicely when walking.  3 1/8 inches tall.  $155.US.
  OAX13.   The hanging piece of these earrings swings nicely from the bird above.  The earrings are 2 inches tall.   $135.US.
  OAX14.   I see this style of earring worn often by the local woman, and often in gold as well.  The workmanship is just perfect.  Just under 2 1/2 inches tall.   $125.US.
  OAX15.   The pale pink face stone looks beautiful with the colour of the silver.  The earrings are delicate and swing nicely as they all do.  2 1/3 inches tall.  $125.US.
  OAX16.   These cast silver earrings are very similar to gold work from tomb 7 at Monte Alban.  They are an attractive tribute.  1 7/8 inches tall.   $75.US.
  OAX17.   These earrings are patterned after necklace pieces, made in gold, from tomb 7 at Monte Alban.  They even include the double stringing holes on the side of the upper pieces.  They work very well as earrings - 3 inches tall.   $65.US.
  OAX18.   These earrings are patterned after gold work found in tomb 7 of Monte Alban.  Silver is more affordable.  They are nicely cast and work well as earrings.  2 1/2 inches tall.   $85.US.
  OAX19.   Here is a very curious Yalalag cross, taking its theme from the modern world.  The solid cast heads are of a lucha libre wrestler.  Is it el Santo, one of the heroes?  It just made me smile like crazy when I saw it.  The piece is 4 3/4 inches tall and a very unique piece.   $175.US.
  OAX20.   This pair of earrings is a copy of gold work found in tomb 7 of Monte Alban.  They are made very well.  Sitting on this wire they look downwards a little, but sitting in the ear, you can see their faces properly.  1 1/2 inches tall.    $60.US.
  OAX21.   These turtles are the same as the gold necklace parts found in tomb 7 of Monte Alban in Oaxaca.  Made of silver, they are an affordable reproduction which works very well as earrings.  2 5/8 inches tall.   $80.US.
  OAX22.   #1  These filigree crosses are very delicate, light, and attractive.  They measure 1 7/8 inches from top to bottom. - $55.US.   #2 - These crosses are similar but much smaller being 1 5/8 inches from top of earring wire to the bottom of the crosses.   $38.US.
  OAX23.   These hanging birds reminded me of the voladores, the Veracruz dancers who behave as birds swinging from tall poles upside down the same as these creatures.  These earrings are very unusual.  1 15/16 inch tall.   $55.US.
  OAX24.   I like these cast earrings with their Mexican crested coins and dangles below.  They are just under 2 inches tall.   $85.US.
  OAX25.   This is a preColumbian design that I need to research.  It is a pair of birds made on one flat sheet of silver.  I have an antique version of this pattern with a silver pendant and coral strands on the "Americas" page.  These earrings are a little over 2 inches tall.   $60.US  (I have two pairs)
  OAX26.   Here is another preColumbian design that I have seen in museums.  It is a bird with the entire piece 2 1/4 inches tall.  This is a very striking piece - I changed the pendants (they are the same front and back) so that they now face each other.  $80.US.
  OAX27.   This delicate pair of earrings is very graceful and beautifully made with silver filigree surrounding the pairs of birds.  There is a heart etched into the silver udner the birds.  They are slightly over 2 inches tall.   $105.US.
  OAX28.   These typical earrings are quite modern looking at the same time.  They have a simple look and have been allowed to darken to alter the colour of the silver.  They can be polished to a gleam again though.  I like the ruffle style edge going around the moon shape.  The earrings are 1 3/4 inches tall.   $85.US.
  OAX29.   This is a pair of "Blue Jaguar" earrings, delicate and beautifully made.  The filigree pattern creates hearts within the bird, and a dyed pink pearl hangs beneath.  The earrings are 2 inches tall and very light weight.  $80.US.
  OAX30.   I like the upside down pomegranates on this Yalalag cross.  They are time intensive to make but add a great 3 dimensional aspect to the cross.  It has the typical wings to surrounding the central heart.  The cross is a little over 4 3/8 inches tall.   $135.US.
  OAX31.   This is the smallest Yalalag cross that I have had for sale.  It has a wonderful little head over the heart and wings.  This is just under 3 inches tall.   $45.US.
  OAX32.   This necklace is fantastic and an excellent price for the work done to create it.  Making those silver beads with the spiral circles around them is work enough.  The cross itself is 3 inches tall and the necklace is 23 inches long with a clasp closing.  This looks great when worn.   $245.US.
  OAX33.   This is a hefty pair of earrings of the Yalalag cross.  They are 3 1/4 inches tall.   $95.US.
  OAX34.   There are two pairs of earrings here, both made of the Yalalag cross.   #1 is 2 1/2 inches tall with coral coloured beads... - $60.US,    #2 is just over 2 1/2 inches tall with coral coloured beads...  - $60.US.
  OAX35.   These are simple earrings that speak distinctly of the Mexican vision.  They look like blossoms opening with the coral bead hanging below like a the stamen of a flower or perhaps they are pomegranates with a seed hanging out.  They measure 1 3/4 inches tall.   $35.US  (I have two pairs for sale)
  OAX36.   Pendant #1 is 5 1/2 inches tall... - $105.US,   Pendant #2 is 3 inches tall... - $55.US.
  OAX37.   This is a contemporary version of an antique looking crucifix/cross.  I find it quite wonderful and very human.  The cross is held by a hand which has a large loop behind it for suspension.  The cross is decorated with sterling silver ex-votos or milagros, protective of certain aspects of life, or appreciative of abilities.  They are all moveable.  On the sides of the cross a praying woman and a praying man hang from loops and swing when the cross is worn.  The eyes, face, and heart are pinned onto the cross and can swivel to move while fastened by the pins.  The 3-dimensional aspect gives the cross a lot of depth aesthetically and conceptually.  The cross is 3 7/8 inches tall.   $185.US.