Aztec Faces Black Obsidian or Onyx Bracelett

[renard40]

Bracelet has two 925 marks in brackets and sterling.



I would like to know when it as made and the region possibly.

Thanks!

[ValkyrieVixen]

I would definitely get that tested. This design is almost always made of alpaca, an alloy of nickel, copper and zinc, so silver in it, then falsely marked 925/sterling. There are literally 100's of these out there with false marks as well as several other common designs. Often you will see an eagle head mark which is generally an indicator of a false sterling mark, every one I have seen with that mark has tested as NO silver. The eagle used on silver is a full body bird with a number in the center.
I have come across so many falsely marked Mexican bracelets, including newer ones that are much harder to tell, that I now test them all.

[renard40]

There is no eagle mark on the back but I understand your statement.

In the reading I have done I haven't seen a marking of two sets of 925 and the word sterling.

Is there something unusual about the particular marking detail.

[silverport]

Hello

Jewellery isn't my speciality - but I'm a human who has knowledge by experience, from childhood on, how suggestions function.

One day I've got an offer of flatware, well polished; the mark was: STERL ING. 025

In that time I wasn't any more a novice - so I saw from the colour of "silver" that there must be more then 7.5 % copper in the alloy. Discussion was restricted. I haven't bought - but until the evening all was sold.

A long while later, a commercial has got one set of the suspicious cutlery. I told him my doubts.

For final: It was a polished Copper-Zinc-Nickel-Alloy.

STERL was a phantasm name, ING. maybe short form of Engineer? All saw in the cipher 0 a bad struck 9?

Kind regards silverport

[admarketer1]

I disagree with the previous comment. Mexican silver from this era (circa 1940's-'50's) is usually sterling if marked 925. You can test to be sure, but most I have dealt with are valid sterling. Some jewelry from this era are even higher grades. Hope this helps.

[ValkyrieVixen]

I have come across dozens of falsely marked Mexican bracelets, this design being the most prominent one, but there are also several others commonly faked. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[admin]

Mexican silver from this era (circa 1940's-'50's) is usually sterling if marked 925.

I agree, the metal is usually as marked and in a fair amount of cases of higher standard. The very few intentionally mis-marked pieces that I have come across are all in the bottom of the barrel as per design standards and craftsmanship. Stick to good design and quality craftsmanship and the materials will be up to the same standard.

Regards, Tom

[renard40]

I agree with the admins comments but what I'd really like to know is are two 925 marks on a piece unusual and common for the time this might have been made.

[admin]

In Mexico, during the period this was marked, there were seemingly no official standards for marking, makers simply followed their owns whims of the moment.