Silversmith Day in Taxco: Honoring Mexico’s Silver Legacy

The Birth of Modern Mexican Silverwork

Did you know that Taxco, now internationally recognized for its exquisite silver craftsmanship, didn’t always have a silver jewelry industry?

In 1929, American architect and designer William Spratling arrived in Taxco, Guerrero, captivated by the region’s colonial charm and deep cultural roots. During a conversation with U.S. ambassador Dwight Morrow, Spratling learned that although Taxco had a long history of silver mining, it lacked local workshops to transform that silver into jewelry or decorative art.

That insight would change everything, for Taxco and for Spratling himself.

Why Is June 27 Important in Taxco?

Spratling purchased a home at 2nd Calle de Las Delicias #23 in Taxco. Living in this small Mexican town allowed him to write his book Little Mexico “from inside-out instead of outside-in,” as he explained in his autobiography File on Spratling. Years later, after realizing what Ambassador Dwight Morrow had told him about the region’s people not profiting from their silver by making jewelry or valuable objects of silversmithing, he opened his first silver workshop there. After seeking regional talent, he invited the young orfebre Artemio Navarrete from nearby Iguala to teach the basics of silverwork to the local men. This marked the beginning of a cultural and economic renaissance for the town.

At its peak, his workshop employed more than 300 artisans, all trained under a guild-style system inspired by medieval traditions, where master silversmiths passed down their knowledge to apprentices. His designs, inspired by pre-Hispanic symbols and blended with modern aesthetics, quickly attracted global attention.

Many of his apprentices would later go on to open their own talleres, spreading Taxco’s silver tradition across the region and beyond. The only condition Spratling asked them was that they developed their own style, which encouraged them to follow their own path and made great workshops like the Los Castillo to surge.

On June 27, 1935, four years after opening his workshop as "Las Delicias", Spratling held his first silver contest among his artisans to encourage skill improvement and the development of unique techniques. Over time, this event became an annual tradition, and in 1937 the local government officially declared June 27th as Silversmith Day (Día del Platero).

Spratling’s vision transformed Taxco into the world’s premier center for handcrafted silver jewelry. Thanks to his efforts to continually challenge and elevate artisans, Taxco remains a remarkable cradle for new talent, though it faces challenges, as fewer young generations want to keep working silver the traditional way. 

How Does Taxco Celebrate Silversmith Day Today?

Each year, Silversmith Day on June 27 brings together artisans, locals, and visitors for a celebration rooted in culture, pride, and tradition. Key events include:

🛠️ Silver Jewelry Contest

In 2025, in celebration of the 91st edition of the contest, artisans from Taxco proudly submitted their handmade pieces in the following categories:

• Repoussé (Repujado)

• Jewelry Sets (necklace, bracelet, earrings)

• Alternative Metals

• New Talents

Winning pieces were exhibited at the Casa Borda Cultural Center, giving visitors the chance to admire the artistry that defines Taxco’s silver tradition.

👑 Coronation of the Silver Queens

Each year, the selection of the Queen, Princess, and Duchess of Silversmith Day shines a spotlight on young women from Taxco. To qualify, candidates must be between 18 and 25 years old, single, without children, and have completed at least their upper secondary education. More than a title, this tradition celebrates their connection to the silver trade and their pride in representing the cultural heart of their town.

🕯️ Tribute to Spratling

Every year, a formal tribute is held at the bust of William Spratling, located on Calle de La Palma in Taxco. Artisans, civic leaders, and residents gather to honor the man whose vision gave birth to the modern silver industry in Mexico.

As artisan Miguel Ángel Gómez Díaz, who was awarded third place in the New Talents category, remarked: "Spratling gave Taxco’s silver jewelry global recognition. Now it’s our responsibility to keep the tradition alive."

Silversmith Day is important because it reminds the world that Taxco is still committed to its silver-making heritage. While technology has evolved, most workshops still rely on ancestral techniques passed down through generations.

This celebration ensures that those traditions don’t fade. It keeps younger generations inspired, gives them a platform to create, and encourages them to carry the torch forward. 

✨ A Living Legacy of Mexican Silver

Thanks to Silversmith Day, Taxco continues to be a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship. The annual celebration not only preserves historical techniques, but also inspires new designs that reflect the evolving identity of handmade Mexican silver jewelry.

The quality and creativity of the pieces showcased in Taxco’s Jewelry Contest are truly unparalleled. These are exceptional masterpieces, results of generations of refined technique, that could easily grace any red carpet.

I’ll be highlighting some of these breathtaking works in future blog posts.

Taxco has so much to offer: from simple, charming pieces that carry the soul of craftsmanship, to stunning creations worthy of the world’s most exclusive showcases. That’s the true beauty of Taxco’s silver tradition, there’s something for every style and every moment.

So next time you wear a piece made in Taxco, remember: ✨ You’re not just wearing jewelry; you’re wearing generations of culture, tradition, and artistic pride.

💍 Let Tradition and Craftsmanship Shine Through What You Wear

If you’d like to discover the great silversmith masters of today and explore their most outstanding work, stay tuned to the blog and subscribe to my newsletter 👈🏼 You’ll find the sign-up link in the footer of the website.

In the meantime, you can find beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, ethically handmade in Taxco, available on my website. Carefully curated and more accessible to the general public, each one remains true to the spirit of authentic Mexican silver artistry.

🛍️ Discover authentic Taxco silver jewelry 👈🏼

💬 A Tradition Worth Preserving

Despite the importance of this celebration, there is still much to be done to truly support the incredible artisans behind Taxco’s silver legacy. Sometimes, these great silversmith masters have to set aside their most inspired designs just to keep up with commercial demand, because at the end of the day, they need to feed their families. Many talented artisans face the same reality, unable to fully dedicate their time to creating the masterpieces they’re truly capable of.

Recently, when I was talking to one of these masters and he was helping me with information for this article, he shared that after contests, when they receive their masterpieces back, it’s often difficult to find the right customer to appreciate and buy these exceptional pieces. Sadly, some end up destroying them to recycle the metal or selling them below their true value, which brings me to my earlier reflection about how this impacts the preservation of their art.

Fair recognition and compensation would give them the freedom to focus on their craft and preserve this remarkable tradition.

At the same time, younger generations must see that this beautiful trade is not only valued but also respected, so they feel inspired to carry on the legacy of the town that raised them.

When you choose handcrafted silver, you’re not only celebrating beauty—you’re investing in the future of a tradition that deserves to live on.

Let tradition and craftsmanship shine through what you wear.   

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