1960s Oaxacan filigree — the era that established the standard everything after has been measured against.
This vintage Oaxacan silver filigree necklace with turquoise dates to the 1960s, a decade when the plateros of Oaxaca's historic jewelry quarter were producing work of extraordinary ambition and precision. Intricate filigrana oaxaqueña — hand-twisted wires built into lace-like structures — is set with genuine turquoise that adds a touch of natural, earthbound beauty to the metalwork. The original clasp is intact. At 37 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 100.6 grams, this is not merely a necklace: it is a wearable record of a craft era that is now firmly in the past.
About this piece
The 1960s represent one of the high points of Oaxacan silver artistry. The workshops operating in that decade invested in a level of hand labor — individually twisted wires, individually soldered elements, stones hand-selected and hand-set — that is rarely attempted today. This necklace was sourced directly and carries the genuine patina and provenance of sixty years of careful storage. The turquoise is natural, not stabilized or reconstituted.
Materials & craftsmanship
Metal: Sterling silver, hand-twisted filigree
Stone: Genuine natural turquoise
Technique: Traditional filigrana oaxaqueña
Provenance: Oaxaca, Mexico, circa 1960
Clasp: Original clasp, intact
Weight: 100.6 grams
Dimensions
Length: 37.0 inches (94.0 cm)
Width: 7.0 inches (17.8 cm)
Styling
A necklace that measures 37 inches long and 7 inches wide is a garment in its own right. Wear it over a simple black turtleneck or a crisp white blouse. Let it be the focal point — it has earned that role.
Care
Polish gently with a soft silver cloth. Store flat in an airtight case to protect the filigree structure. The turquoise is natural — keep away from chemicals and prolonged moisture.
