Calling all jewelry junkies

[Tallone]

I went to a family run estate sale this morning. The house was a disaster and the family had removed everything but a few pieces of furniture and some crappy artwork. I did a quick tour of the house and was on my way out when I noticed a small box near the front door with a few pieces of obviously cheapo jewelry and a couple of watches. However, there was one piece that caught my eye:



My first thought was silver and turquoise but the stones didn't look quite right for turquoise and the style didn't look like a southwest indian piece. I saw the mark the back but I didn't have my magnifier so I couldn't make out what it said. I paid the asking price of $7.00 because I liked the look and thought that was a sufficiently low enough risk to take a chance on it.

It turns out this is Mexican silver from Taxco.



So, here are the questions for you jewelry experts out there:

1. I presume the initials "MCP" in the center of the mark is the maker. Any idea who that might be?

2. What does "TC-67" mean. Would the date of creation be 1967?

3. What are the stones? I have seen a couple of similar pieces on eBay. One called the stones jade. The other called them malachite. I don't think they are turquoise but I'm no expert. Here are some closeups of the stones that might help ID them:



In any event, I think the piece is quite valuable. Here is a slightly more elaborate piece of the exact same design that recently sold on eBay for somewhere around $300:

Vintage Taxco Mexico Sterling Silver Tear Drop Malachite Bib Choker Necklace | eBay

The stones in that piece look a lot more like malachite than mine do. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

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[catherine1]

Nice find for 7 bucks.....

 

[trdhrdr007]

The TC-67 has something to do with the registration number of the maker but I forget exactly what. I did a quick search on 925-1000.com & didn't see anything about the maker listed. Most of the high end makers are listed there. With Taxco it's all about the designer. I believe those stones are turquoise. Definitely not malachite.

 

[Tallone]

I agree that the stones are not malachite. Every piece of malachite I have ever seen was a much darker green. Regarding the maker... the piece that sold on eBay doesn't have any maker's initials and it sold for around $300 (apparently).

 

[Beachkid23]

I agree that the stones are not malachite. Every piece of malachite I have ever seen was a much darker green. Regarding the maker... the piece that sold on eBay doesn't have any maker's initials and it sold for around $300 (apparently).

Definitely green turquoise. Or a green blue turquoise stone. I don't know much about the makers I pretty much look them up individually as I find them. But put it up there for 300 or best offer I might sit for awhile. But it may go quick!

 

[ARC]

It is a Taxco piece...
But it is NOT malachite.
Tis Turquoise.
Piece worth 300 all day long.

 

[ARC]

Might want to read this as well...
Mexican Silver Marks I - Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

 

[2Minnesota]

This one was on Worthpoint. I have no idea how much it sold for and they didn't know who the maker was either. It says it is marked "TC-87" not 67 but the style is so close to yours and the initials are the same that it has to be by the same maker. Sorry but I still haven't figured out how to share the link since I updated my apps so I took screen shots...

 

[2Minnesota]

And I definitely agree--not malachite. Looks like turquoise to me.

 

[Tallone]

Great information. Thanks, all. I guess the maker will remain a mystery. The marks on this piece seem to be somewhat contradictory with the statements on the Mexican silver marks web site. The web site says the "C" in "TC-67" would be the first initial of the maker's name. If that is true, what is the "MCP" in the center? I suppose it could still be the maker's initials because the Spanish often use two surnames (such as "Miguel Cardenas de Paralta" - to just make something up off the top of my head). Anyway, I agree with others that this piece should bring around $300. And to think I wasn't even going to go out yesterday morning because the pickin's looked so slim! Just goes to show.... you never know what you might find and where!

 

[diggummup]

Most Mexican silversmith's have not been identified because there is no list that matches the letters and numbers to the makers name. I tried for months to get $400 for my Zuni Squash blossom and couldn't, so I quit listing it. The style of yours may make it more desirable than mine though so, you may get $300 eventually.

 

[mugsisme]

Got it. Yay, glad I save my old auctions in a file. This is what I had in an auction for a bangle. I don't know where I found the information from:

The bangle is clearly stamped 925, MEXICO, and TN-57.
The “T” designating Taxco as the location, N indicating the first initial of the last name of the silversmith, and the number 57 indicates that they were the 57th silversmith with a name being with a N to register in the city of Taxco.

 

[Tallone]

The style of yours may make it more desirable than mine though so, you may get $300 eventually.

Yes, difficult to know when or if I can get $300 for it. I listed it last night for that amount so we shall see. The good news is the piece is small and easy to store AND I don't have much money tied up in it. So, I can afford to be patient and wait for the right person to come along.