Description

Elaborate gemstone dangles flow across this vintage 1980s era signed Los Ballesteros sterling silver necklace. Los Ballesteros (est. 1937 in Taxco, Guerrero) have been making quality jewelry for generations and are now known as a luxury icon.

This particular piece appears to be inspired by Matilde Poulat’s (aka Matl) jewelry, who took her inspiration from baroque detail work and the feminine colors of Mexico (turquoise, coral & amethyst). Although this necklace was NOT made by her, it has a similar dramatic spirit and was clearly influenced by the rich history of Taxco’s silver jewelry renaissance. Plus Los Ballesteros artisans were skilled artists with amazing craftsmanship in their own right.

The necklace is composed of sturdy curved links decorated with thick textured trim and twisted silver rope. At the center are channel-set 2.5mm coral and turquoise stones (in the style that Matl often used). The dangles are bezel-set with purple 8mm x 6.5mm amethyst cabochons and 3.7mm round turquoise stones and are also decorated with twisted/curled silver. The stones are varying natural shapes with visible stone structure in the amethyst.