The Hidden Living Masters of Taxco Silver

Shining a Light on a Living Silver Legacy of Handmade Mexican Jewelry

For decades, the name Taxco has been synonymous with silver artistry: a town whose legacy was shaped by iconic names like Spratling, Los Castillo, and Aguilar. Their influence brought global prestige to Mexican silver jewelry, establishing it as a symbol of refinement, cultural richness, and artistic innovation. But beyond that celebrated history, a different generation of living master silversmiths carries forward this legacy with unmatched talent, creating artisan Mexican jewelry that honors the past, while embracing the present. These are not just skilled artisans; they are master silversmiths quietly creating some of the most breathtaking, culturally rich pieces in the world today.  

Fernando Viveros

 

Still, outside a few circles, their names remain unknown.

Inside Taxco’s Hidden World of Artisan Silversmiths

Across the steep, cobbled streets of Taxco, scattered workshops house artisans who have been crafting extraordinary pieces for years, even decades. These are not new voices in silver: they are contemporary masters, deeply experienced, fiercely talented, and rooted in tradition. Yet, most of the world has never heard of them.

They’ve never sought the spotlight. They don’t follow trends; they follow their hearts. They produce one-of-a-kind silver art that carries cultural memory, technical mastery, and timeless beauty.

Most of their work stays within the town that shaped them. But I believe their pieces, rich in character, tradition, and excellence, deserve to be seen and cherished by a wider audience.

Alejandro Fajardo

 

Today, I want to help change that.

 

Taxco: A Mecca of Silver Jewelry

Taxco wasn’t always known for its silver creations. It became a mecca of jewelry design through vision, effort, and an extraordinary convergence of talent and cultural pride.

From the 1930s to the 1970s, Taxco drew intellectuals, artists, collectors, and travelers from across the globe. It wasn’t just a picturesque town, it was a magnet for design innovation, and its silver designs influenced by Mexican folk art, pre-Hispanic forms, and modernist aesthetics were seen as rare, refined, and culturally rich.

Worn by those who valued culture, individuality, and handmade beauty, these pieces crossed borders and made their way into the wardrobes of stylish women around the world, from diplomats' wives to free-spirited muses. High-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harrods in London, and Galeries Lafayette in Paris carried exclusive Taxco silver in their luxury boutiques.

But all of this didn’t happen by chance.

 

Spratling’s Vision: The Birth of a Movement

In 1929, when William Spratling arrived in Taxco, he found a town rich in potential but lacking direction. The precious metal and more importantly, the talent, were there: gifted hands, cultural depth, and a deep connection to traditional materials. What was missing, however, was structure, opportunity, and vision.

Spratling founded his workshop, Las Delicias, and began recruiting the most skilled artisans in the region. Together, they produced silver jewelry that blended pre-Hispanic motifs, modern design sensibilities, and superb technical craftsmanship. Their work sparked a renaissance.

But Spratling wanted more. It wasn’t enough to bring his designs to life; he wanted to see the artisans evolve, challenge themselves, and contribute their own ideas. To celebrate the anniversary of his workshop "Las Delicias", he established an internal contest to spark innovation. That small initiative would become a cultural landmark.

El Día del Platero: Honoring the Hands Behind the Silver

Spratling’s original contest took place on June 27, the day "Las Delicias" was founded. Although the contest officially became a recognized celebration some years later, its roots trace back to 1935, when Justo L. Castillo won the first prize (a diploma and 50 Mexican pesos) for his bracelet “Pulsera de Cocos.” While the diploma and prize money were certainly meaningful, the greatest reward was the satisfaction of being recognized as the best among a group of exceptionally talented artisans. The event quickly evolved into an annual tradition and is still known today as “El Día del Platero” (Silversmith’s Day) 👈🏼 

Each year on June 27, workshops and artisans across the town come together to celebrate their work, their community, and their shared heritage. El Día del Platero continues to serve as a reminder that silverwork is not just commerce: it is art, tradition, and cultural legacy.

It’s also a celebration rooted in growth, in the belief that artisans should be challenged and uplifted in their creative journey. This spirit of constant evolution is one of the reasons Taxco has maintained its place as a global silver capital. That very first edition in 1935 wasn’t just about the prize, it was about the honor of being named the best among one’s peers. That spirit of excellence still defines the contest today.

"Aleteo" (Wingbeat) by Felipe Cabrera (awarded First Place in the Alternative Metals Category at the 2025 Silversmith Day Competition) is a striking composition crafted in silver, copper, brass, and garnet. The piece evokes the delicate rhythm of a bird in flight, capturing movement and grace through masterful contrasts of metal and form.

But while the event continues to celebrate artistry, the reality for many silversmiths is far more complex. Participants must finance their own entries, often investing more time and materials into creating a piece than they will ever recover in prize money. Beyond the contest, there is little sustained support throughout the year: no formal programs to train the next generation, and no financial backing that allows these masters to dedicate themselves fully to creative work. Without that support, many are forced to focus on producing more commercial pieces, certainly not for lack of talent, but out of necessity. These are the pieces that help them feed their families and cover daily expenses. When you’re focused on feeding your family, there’s little space for experimentation or refinement.

As a result, fewer young people are choosing to continue the tradition, discouraged by a path that demands so much yet offers so little in return. Without investment in their growth, we risk losing not only individual talent, but the entire cultural legacy of Mexican silver jewelry.

Carrying Forward a Living Tradition

Under this legacy of tradition and constant self-improvement, Mexican silverwork has maintained its place among the most respected in the world. And yet, through the years I’ve spent living abroad, I’ve seen that many people outside Mexico cherish the legacy of Taxco silver, but may not yet know about the incredible artisans working there right now.

They know and admire names like Ledesma, Margot de Taxco, Pineda, Poulat… but they don’t know that today, Taxco is still alive with brilliance. There are artisans right now producing breathtaking silver jewelry, some of the most intricate, soulful, and masterful work you could ever see.

These are not emerging artists. They’ve been perfecting their skills for years, even decades.

Their work is technically sophisticated, emotionally resonant, and unmistakably unique. They’re not lacking in talent—far from it. What they need is the chance to be seen, to have their artistry recognized beyond borders.

A Personal Journey That Became a Mission

More than 15 years ago, I began selling silver jewelry from Taxco; I have to say, at first, just as a hobby. I was moving from country to country with my family, and I needed something that felt like mine — something meaningful, something creative. What started as a personal outlet slowly became a passion rooted in curiosity, learning, and admiration.

Over time, I began to dive deeper into the history of Taxco and, more importantly, into the lives of the silversmiths working there today. I came to understand their daily reality: the effort it takes to sustain their art, the lack of recognition, the struggle to earn a fair living, and the challenge of preserving a tradition that’s at risk of fading if younger generations turn away from it.

That’s when something changed in me. I felt the need not just to admire their work, but to support it, and to honour the hands that so often go unseen.

I believe these artists deserve more than admiration. They deserve opportunity, visibility, and fair pay for their craft. That’s why I began reaching out to them, talking to them, learning their stories, and asking them to join this project. Together, we are creating a platform that brings their artistry to new audiences, across borders they could not easily cross on their own.

Giving a Voice to the Masters Behind the Craft

Today, I serve as a bridge, connecting Canada and the world with the master silversmiths of Taxco, Mexico.

Artisans like Daniel Gutiérrez and Carlos Ortega, whose pieces are not only striking but emotionally resonant. Their jewelry is not just something to wear, it is something to admire, to reflect upon, and to pass down.

Each artisan has a distinct voice. Some excel in filigree, others in repoussé or casting. Their styles are unique, and that’s the beauty of this space. You won’t find mass production here. You’ll find unique silver jewelry with a story, crafted by hands that have spent decades refining their technique.

If you’re looking for pieces that reflect your personal style — or want to commission something unique — I invite you to reach out. I’ll help you find a piece (or an artisan) that resonates with you.

Because this isn’t just jewelry. It’s a cultural expression. A living legacy. And when you wear it, you support a community, a history, and a future.

Ready to explore the legacy of Taxco silver — still alive today?

Step into a world of craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless beauty.