This is a handcrafted silver plated bracelet from Taxco. The design is four circular Aztec calendars attached together with double chains. Each hand carved calendar is 1-½ inch in diameter and is surrounded by lab opals set in lavender colored resin. The bracelet is 8 inches around.

The Aztec calendar is one of many similar ancient Mesoamerican calendars. It consists of a 365 day cycle called xiuhpohualli and a 260 day cycle called tonalpohualli. The xiuhpohualli is an agricultural calendar, the tonalpohualli a sacred calendar.

Silver plating consists of a base metal electroplated with 100% pure silver. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, the remainder can be any metal. Silver plating puts 100% pure silver against your skin!

Lab opal is not synthetic. It is grown in a laboratory for over a year and has a structure very similar to natural precious opals. Lab opals have significant advantages over naturally occurring opals. The first is cost, precious opals are rare and expensive. In addition, lab opals do not contain water (natural opals do) and are not prone to cracking. Lastly, the color of lab opal is stable.

Since the year 2000, I have traveled to Taxco, Mexico to buy jewelry for Silver Dream. I personally select each piece. This bracelet is from Taxco and it is silver plated.

If you have any questions, please contact me. I love to talk about the beautiful jewelry created by the artists of Mexico!