Featured Hecho en Mexico Silver - Field Tests

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by KikoBlueEyes, Dec 1, 2020.

  1. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    When I was looking at this bangle marked with Hecho En Mexico, the reseller who comes in about the same time as I do, said he doesn't buy these as so many are fake - even when the say 925. When I went home and cleaned it, I found the 925. I tested it with my trusty magnet and it is not magnetic. I know this is not conclusive, but for my purposes of a simple bangle for casual wear it will do. I thought it might be real, because someone took the time to stamp tiny little birds with some detail on it. That made it seem like something a silversmith would do. What clues do you use to decide whether or not to buy Mexican silver? I know it if stamped Taxco, it is probably real, but anything else? It weighs 1.5 ounces and is 3 inches in diameter.
    IMG_7891.jpg IMG_7889.JPG IMG_7888.JPG IMG_7885.JPG IMG_7884.JPG
     
  2. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    A lot of jewelry from Mexico stamped 925 or silver is fake, the only way to know is to have it tested for silver. Been there, done that :mad:

    The magnet thing is an elimination test, there are plenty of metals that won't attract a magnet, it's not a positive test for silver.
     
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  3. wenna

    wenna Well-Known Member

    I would have probably bought that, but it does depend on the price also (a couple of bucks?). I like the bird stampings. Might think it is worth the risk just because I like it.
     
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  4. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Yeah. I know that the magnet is not definitive. So you agree with the reseller just avoid it as I can’t take out a silver test kit in the store
     
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  5. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    $9. More than a couple but they don’t have anything for under $5.
     
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  6. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I thought it was hand stamped because the spacing is irregular.
     
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  7. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    In my experience, things marked like that are rarely faked.
     
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  8. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Thank you for this insight. I thought a fake would be more standard in the depth and spacing of the birds.
     
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  9. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    I smell it.
     
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  10. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    That is intriguing. Should I sniff some known silver to get an idea. Do you rub it to heat it up. Inquiring minds want to know.
     
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  11. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Most likely it would be the same people making the "fakes" and real pieces unless there were maker's marks on them.
     
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  12. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    So a little cottage industry at night after work at the silversmiths. Making fakes.
     
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  13. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    You’re of the camp don’t buy unless maker marked?
     
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  14. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I get it now. Fakes can smell?
     
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  15. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    I've sold hundreds of silver pieces without the metal content marked.Mexican "maker's" marks are tax registration numbers and I don't know their marking requirements. In the USA there are thousands of unmarked pieces of jewelry with no maker's or content mark. If I wanted a piece of jewelry I would buy it what it looked like and not a maker's mark.
     
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  16. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Excellent advice. Thank you
     
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  17. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Silver has a smell the way brass has a smell. If you've been handling something silver for a little bit you can smell it on your hands.
     
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  18. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Okay. I’ll go fondle up something silver. :)
     
  19. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    not going there.............4 now !! ;);)
     
  20. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    In my experience, Mexican things marked like that are 50/50 :eek:

    I bought a bangle because I saw a mark that I thought was 925. When I got home and used a loupe the 9 was upside down and the silver test was a no.

    I am not saying don't take a chance if you think it may be silver, I am saying be careful, so much Mexican jewelry marked 925 or silver is faked! Just be aware.
     
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