Silver

Mexico is one of the world's leading producers of silver. Fine sterling jewelry, in original designs for both men and women, is available at stores in all three border cities. Sterling items in Mexico are so pure that they can be up to 95% silver and will be stamped accordingly. Prices on most items will be about half of those stateside.

High-demand items are necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in pure sterling or set with onyx, lapis, malachite or turquoise stones. For men, cufflinks, belt buckles, card cases and money clips are popular. Also hot are silver bead necklaces and chokers in all sizes, widths and lengths.

Prices run about $90 for a 24-inch sterling bead necklace, $75 for a half-inch-wide I.D. bracelet, $100 for a lapis-and-silver bracelet and about $50 for a silver-plated wine goblet. While hard bargaining is not the norm at upscale jewelry stores, you should always ask for a discount and may get up to 25%, depending on the slowness of the season.

In addition to the real stuff, you'll come across street vendors carrying enormous cases of "sort-of silver" necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. (You won't have to look for them; they'll find you.) As long as you bargain hard and remember that the jewelry on the street isn't pure silver, but alpaca (a mixture of copper, tin and silver), you can make some great buys and have fun cruising the trays. Try to pay about half the vendor's first asking price, less if you really like to bargain. What's a fair price? Whatever the piece is worth to you for a year of wear.

Insider Tips

How do you tell real sterling from fake? In Mexico, all sterling, by law, must be stamped 0.925, which is the legal percent of silver required. It also must carry the word "Mexico," along with the tax identification number of the company and the initials of the city of origin (for example, Tc for Taxco). Even the tiniest charm must carry all four of these verifying marks, and they do in the shops of reputable dealers and designers.

Approximately 95% of the "silver" on the street, in mercado stalls and Avenida Revolucion sidewalk shops is fake, even though the sellers swear it's real, bite it, hold lighters under it and even show you a 0.925 stamp on larger pieces. Only real silver will carry all four identifying marks, but vendors figure that even savvy tourists aren't that savvy.

So, unless you are in an upscale shop that deals exclusively in silver and better jewelry, assume everything else is fake. Which is fine. Pay accordingly (which means a pittance), and plan to throw the fake piece away when the thin coating of silver wears off.

Best Shops In Tijuana

Jorge Espinosa has been one of most respected names in fine silver for decades in Tijuana. A superb designer in both silver and gold, Espinosa's prices are extremely fair, and he's built up a solid following of Americans. His shop carries a wide selection of original jewelry, along with frames, jewelry boxes, belt buckles and money clips. Located in the Ciros arcade, on the east side of Avenida Revolucion between Fifth and Sixth streets. Call 011-52-66-850705.

Los Castillo is one of Mexico's most reputable names in sterling, with large shops in Tijuana's Bazar de Mexico and three others in Ensenada. Each shop carries famed Taxco designer Antonio Castillo's work. While no custom design work is done in Baja California, the shops do carry a wide selection of high-quality jewelry for men and women, along with other items, all priced very fairly. A 10% to 15% discount is usually given for cash sales. Located in the front of Bazar de Mexico at Av. Revolucion and Seventh street. Call 011-52- 66-384691.

Best Shops in Rosarito

Baja Jewels is a well-respected outlet for fine silver jewelry and gems, and designer Enrique Orozco is known for his spectacular original creations in pendants, pins and rings. Look for large amethysts in knockout settings. Located in the Rosarito Beach Hotel shopping arcade at the south end of town.

Best Shops in Ensenada

Los Castillo (see above) has three shops on Avenida Lopez Mateos - located at No. 656 and 815 and in Bazar Ramirez. Call the main store in Ensenada at 011-52-617-83963.

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