Trending Mexican Jewelry Styles

Post by taxco9252 on June 23, 2021 in jewelry, Mexican Culture

It’s no secret that many iconic styles have come out of Mexico thanks to its rich history, world famous art, and vibrant culture. With that in mind, it’s also no surprise that each year, when fashion magazines release their trend reports for the coming seasons, many popular Mexican jewelry styles fit right in with the predictions.

In today’s blog post, we’ll explore some of the jewelry trends anticipated for the remainder of 2021, plus how some of the timeless Mexican jewelry styles fit in.

2021 trending jewelry

A few of the jewelry trends of 2021, cited by publications like Vogue and WhoWhatWear, include styles such as:

Hardware themed jewelry, large chains, and hoops
Bangles
Cubism-inspired pieces, with an emphasis on spherical pieces and geometric patterns
Long necklaces
Fringe
Flowers
Pearls
Silver
Statement pieces

Many of these trends fall right in line with many Mexican jewelry styles that have been around for hundreds of years. Let’s take a closer look at their history and how they are being worn today.

Cubism-inspired pieces and spherical shapes

Cubism may have begun in Paris with Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in 1907, but it didn’t take long to inspire Diego Rivera, one of Mexico’s most influential artists. Rivera started experimenting with cubism in 1913, implementing geometric figures into his work before moving on to a Post-Impressionist style of art in 1917.

A few common characteristics of cubism in Mexican jewelry includes:

Geometric shapes
Collaged elements
Abstract objects

Flowers and nature themes

Flowers might be trendy for 2021, but Mexican artists have been featuring them in their jewelry since the Pre-Columbian era. The Aztecs used flowers for celebrations, sacrifice, and other ceremonies. They are thought to symbolize beauty and creation, as well as the natural progression and duality of life.

Other common nature motifs that often show up in Mexican jewelry include:

Jaguars – praised as a god of the underworld by the Maya people, jaguars became a symbol of power and confidence
Snakes – wholeness, wisdom, and fertility
Trees – Appearing in jewelry since the Maya period, trees represent life and abundance
Fish – a recognized symbol for religion around the world, fish in Mexican jewelry also represent life, independence, and creativity
Hummingbirds – these birds represent positivity, hopefulness, and a connection between the human and spiritual world

Silver

Due to the Aztec’s reputation for gold, many people are surprised to learn that the metal Mexico is most known for is for its silver. Today, Mexico is the #1 silver producer in the world, but its production in jewelry and tools has been common practice for thousands of years.

Maya artists began using silver for jewelry and body modifications as a symbol of social status. They often mixed mediums in their work, using silver with bronze, gold, and obsidian.

Jumping forward to the 1930’s, there was a huge silver jewelry resurgence that came out of Taxco, Mexico. This resurgence is attributed to William Spratling, who was inspired by the bold, vibrants designs of the Pre-Columbian-era. Spratling moved to Taxco, a city long known for its abundance of silver, in 1931, and began crafting not only jewelry but also tea sets, tableware, and even artwork with silver. He is known for his beautifully detailed silverwork.

Today, Mexico is renowned for producing some of the most high-quality silver in the world, crafting striking, intricate silver jewelry pieces that combine modern and traditional elements, plus bold pops of colors.

Statement pieces

With its rich history, vibrant colors, and styles mentioned above, Mexican jewelry often lands in the “statement piece” category. Let’s take a look at a few other ways it lands here!

Gemstones

The bold colors mentioned above are often incorporated through the use of gemstones. Mexico produces a wide variety of beautiful gemstones that historically have symbolized anything from strength and love to protection. The most common types of gemstones you’ll see in Mexican jewelry include:

Turquoise – Dating back all the way to the Toltec civilization, the beautiful blue-green gemstone was used to create everything from jewelry to weaponry.
Amethyst – A type of quartz, we love the range of purple colors found in amethyst, from light lavender to brilliant, deep purple.
Black Onyx – This gemstone often stops people in their tracks due to its striking black color. It is thought to provide strength and protection to the wearer.
Red Jasper – Known for its durability, this stone is known for its healing and protective qualities.

Frida Kahlo influence

One of the key elements found in Mexican art and jewelry is the influence of the natural world. Natural elements are heavily featured in the work of Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico’s most famous and influential artists. She commonly featured flowers and love birds in her work. Not only this, but her use of bold colors and mix of surrealism and magical realism has influenced artists and silver workers alike, leaving a lasting impression even today.

Take home some of our favorite trending Mexican jewelry

Whether you want your jewelry to reflect that you’re up on the latest styles or interested in the deep tradition of Mexican culture, shop our collection at The Mexican Silver Store today!

We are proud to offer authentic Mexican jewelry made by local Taxco artists.

Check out a few of our favorite trending jewelry pieces below: