Mexican silver jewelry has been popular since the 1940s, when many of the major designers and silversmiths enjoyed a large tourist demand for their jewelry. Much of it was made in Taxco, a town about an hour from Mexico City. Sigfrido Pineda (1929-present), better known as Sigi, is one of the masters of Mexican silver. This four-piece set created by Sigi sold for $1,422 at a recent Skinner auction. It consists of a necklace, pin, bracelet and earrings. Sigi opened his first workshop in Taxco in 1952 at the age of 23 and is still working today.

Learn more about mid-century jewelry, including Mexican pieces, in Ralph and Terry Kovel's latest special report, Kovels' Buyers' Guide to 20th-Century Costume Jewelry. Find current prices for all types of jewelry online at Kovels.com and in the book, Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price List 2008.