A FEW PERSONAL WORDS ABOUT FEDERICO

Besides having dressed many of us with his various phenomenal and distinctive styles of jewelry, many people may not realize that Federico's background is actually rooted in the study of antiquities, a passion that began all the way back when he was just a young child. You might say that this deep connection to history and culture is one of the key reasons he decided to open his now-closed museum in Oaxaca which was a cherished space dedicated to showcasing to the public the beautiful, rare, and historically significant art forms that have richly filled the country he is so incredibly proud of. He also possesses one of the largest and most phenomenal collections of Taxco jewelry produced by the town’s top artisans from the 1930s through the 1950s—an archive of pieces that few outside of Mexico have ever had the chance to see. Fascinated and deeply intrigued by the past, Federico immersed himself in learning everything about these ancient art forms that flourished throughout Mexico, and there is truly very little you could ask him about Mexican antiquities and cultural treasures that he wouldn't be able to share with you in great detail.

THE RING:

Personally, it’s decades-old Mexican pieces like this ring that are just one of many reasons why I truly love working with Federico. Our tastes align so closely that when exceptionally old forms of Mexican art come my way, I seize them immediately since they’re not easy to come across, with some being incredibly rare and hard to find.

Used as the “star of the show” is a vintage, elongated, hand-carved Aztec/Mayan face whose dramatic headdress occupies at least half of its overall height. The 2” tall face determines the ring’s long 2-3/4” dimension, giving the piece an unmistakable, bold profile. The carving appears to be Calcite rather than Jade and is translucent. Calcite was commonly used in jewelry produced during the 1930s–40s Mexican Silver Renaissance and was often made for the tourist market. In that era, these sculpted faces helped define the distinctive identity of Mexican jewelry.

Sharing the spotlight and acting as a halo cluster for the face are oval cuts of lime green turquoise, which not only provide striking contrast but do nothing less than draw full attention to the face. I have heard some call this lime/apple green variety Carico Lake, while others refer to it as Kingman — but regardless, I’m leaning toward the possibility that the turquoise might have been dyed for visual effect. (I could be mistaken, and it may very well have come from the mine looking like this.) So while the ring is recently made, the face itself is old. Except for the 0.999% fine/pure silver bezels, the rest of the materials are set in a contemporary mirror polished finished sterling.

THE SHANK:

The shank is done in a bypass style & even though it’s adjustable, it is only meant to go up in size, not down. . It's presently sits comfortably sized at a size 9 without forcing down on the ring mandrel. So if you need me to increase it by going up 1 to no more than 1-1/2 sizes, (No more than) please let me know at the time of purchasing!!

If you need it smaller by a size or so, there are a couple ways you can go, the 1st. is: by using the “MOLESKIN OR CORN PAD” method,(Corn pads are thicker, so there will not be as much need to layer) which will bring it down without the cost of a jeweler (See last 3 photos). You can get both items at any drug store, super market & would be in the ‘Footwear” area. The Moleskin has an adhesive backing and what you’ll do is, remove the backing and then depending on the width of the shank, you’ll cut a piece to fit up in there & if one cut isn’t enough, then layer it again & repeat this process until it does. The ring will not work, if you’re trying to go from a 9 to a 6! The other method is: bringing it to a reputable jeweler and have them do this for you.

** IN THE 4TH & 13TH PICTURES, THERE ARE 2 MORE SIMILAR RINGS THAT WILL SOON BE LISTED. SO CHECK BACK AT YOUR CONVIENIENCE!!

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SPECIFICS:

ARTIST: Federico Jimenez

FACE STONE : Looks to be Calcite-Not Jade

FACE STONE SIZE: 51.4 mm x about 15 mm at it’s widest (Roughly 2" Long" x 5/8" Wide)

TURQUOISE: Read the 3rd paragraph under “The Ring” section

TURQUOISE SIZE: 7 mm x 5 mm

RINGS FACE MEASUREMENT: 2-3/4” x about 1.50” at it’s widest

RING SIZE: 9

ADJUSTABLE: Yes (Please read under “THE SHANK”)

WEIGHT: 1.98 Ounces (56.4Grams)

METAL: Fine Silver Bezel (0.999% Pure) and Sterling Silver (Shank/Backing)

METAL FINISH: Mirror Polished

SHANK STYLE: Bypass

HALLMARK:JF/STERLING (Inside of Shank & Backside of ring)

COMES GIFT BOXED

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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:

Because of the price, this will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement . If you're not home in the day & need it shipped where it can be signed for, please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one. This is for your safety & mine.

PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:

I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try my hardest to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color. Please realize that all monitors are different, so the materials can look more vivid (or duller) from one computer to the next.

To give you close up photos so I can show you all the intricate detail, pictures tend to makes everything look gigantic & everything is more magnified than in actuality. Please view photos showing it on the finger or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements above.