By Renée Newman

Many cultures have esteemed silver because of its malleability, ductility, and high lustre. Thanks to silver’s pliability, metalsmiths can create intricate jewellery like the Mexican filigree earrings in Figure 1.

It was not until the 1850s that Navajo artisans in North America began learning silversmithing techniques, drawing inspiration from Mexican silversmiths. Mexico, with its rich history of silver mining, has consistently been the world’s … Continue reading Unlocking silver’s secrets