How to Buy Silver in Mexico (2024)

by Robin Noelle; Updated October 05, 2017

Every year millions of tourists visit Mexico and bring back silver treasures for people back home. Silver is inexpensive in Mexico, relative to other places in the world. You can buy it in galleries, stores, or even on the beach. How do you know you are getting real silver and not getting ripped off?

Look for the 925 mark or 950. This mark denotes the type of silver that you are buying. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and pure silver is 95.0%. Looking for these marks will help you determine which type you are buying. If the piece doesn't have either of these stamps, it's not real.

Look for a MEX or MEXICO stamp. The second type of stamp you need to look for is one that says either "mex" or "mexico." While some fakes will have 925 stamped on them, it's far more rare to find the Mexico stamp forged. To do so is very illegal and could get the vendor in a lot of trouble.

Check the price. Real silver isn't dirt cheap. If someone wants to sell you heavy silver jewelry for a couple of bucks, it's probably not real silver. Even street vendors sell real silver close to the prices you would find in a reputable silver shop. When in doubt, shop at a store so you can return if you aren't satisfied.

Check for a hallmark. Some jewelers but a special mark on their pieces. Sometimes this is a symbol or sometimes a combination of numbers and letters. This helps you determine who made the piece you are buying.

Watch out for alpaca. Alpaca is called 'German Silver" and looks a lot like the real thing. If you are getting a great deal on silver jewelry, it could very well be alpaca.

Tip

  • Also negotiate when buying items in Mexico unless the store has set prices.

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How to Buy Silver in Mexico (2024)

FAQs

How to Buy Silver in Mexico? ›

Mostly silver, Mexico is a big producer of good quality silver and silver jewelry. All pieces of silver, coins or jewelry, must have the proper seal indicating the relative amount of silver in it.

Is it good to buy silver in Mexico? ›

Mostly silver, Mexico is a big producer of good quality silver and silver jewelry. All pieces of silver, coins or jewelry, must have the proper seal indicating the relative amount of silver in it.

Is it cheaper to buy silver from Mexico? ›

No. In today's global economy, market prices are set internationally - metals, oil, you name it.

Does Mexico sell real silver? ›

Pure silver is freely available in many stores in Mexico (like the Elektra chain or banks), sold in the global market. It's therefore the Mexican state that guarantees the silver quality produced in the country and supplies jewelry artisans.

Can I buy silver bullion in Mexico? ›

There are a few popular precious metal dealers in Mexico that offer a large variety of remarkable bullion products, such as the spectacular Gold Peso, Gold Onza, Mexican Gold, and Silver Libertad coins.

Which country sells the cheapest silver? ›

  • Bulgaria.
  • Estonia.
  • Greece.
  • Malta.
  • Portugal.
  • Spain.

Where is the best silver in Mexico? ›

Taxco de Alarcon, Mexico's silver capital, is a charming colonial town nestled in the mountains of Guerrero state between Mexico City and Acapulco.

How can you tell if silver is real in Mexico? ›

Standard Mexican silver is 92.5% pure, though its purity ranges from 92.5% to 99.9%. It's used for making jewelry, currency, and decorative items. A simple indication of Mexican silver is an eagle stamped to it, next to a number designating where it originated from.

Which country silver is best quality? ›

Peru, China and Poland lead the world with the highest silver reserves, but there are many other top silver countries by reserves to know.

What state in Mexico has the most silver? ›

Within Mexico, the state of Zacatecas produces more silver than any other state, mining around 46.5% of the nationwide total. Zacatecas is also home to the largest silver mine in the world by reserve, Penasquito. The mine is expected to hold around 911.8 million ounces of silver.

What town in Mexico is known for silver? ›

Taxco, silver town in Mexico - Review of Taxco, Mexico - Tripadvisor.

Why is Mexican silver more expensive? ›

The limited mintages of Silver Libertads make them a less common find in North American portfolios, making it a uniquely valuable coin to investors and collectors.

How much is one ounce of silver worth in Mexico? ›

Price Of Silver in Mexico
Silver Price per Ounce:409.65+2.50
Silver Price per Gram:13.17+0.08
Silver Price per Kilo:13,170.54+80.37
May 30th 2023, 05:42:05 pm NY time

Why is there so much silver in Mexico? ›

1) Plate Tectonics – Mexico is situated on the silver-enriched North American crust and when the Cocos plate under the Pacific Ocean was subducted below the North American plate, it partially melted both plates and the magmas rose up to form one of the longest volcanic belts in the world.

How much is 925 Mexico silver worth? ›

Usually, eight out of 10 pieces made of . 925 silver are worth the material value. One troy ounce of pure silver is worth $23.46 today and one troy ounce of . 925 silver is worth $23.46.

Is Mexican silver the same as American silver? ›

Inherently, silver ore is the same everywhere. However, typically, Mexican silver is known as having a particular style and sterling silver content, usually signified by silver marks.

How can I buy silver without tax? ›

You can buy gold and silver tax-free from Bullion Exchanges online if you are ordering from Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregon.

What is the best way to buy silver? ›

You can purchase silver through local dealers and pawn shops or online dealers such as APMEX or JM Bullion. More specialized dealers allow you to purchase whole bars rather than just coins.

Is Taxco Mexico safe for tourists? ›

Here's what you need to know. The Mexican state of Guerrero, where Taxco is pictured, is one of six states in the country with a "do not travel" advisory.

Is Taxco Mexico real silver? ›

It's no wonder Taxco is one of the oldest mining sites in all of the Americas. Today, silver is no longer mined in Taxco itself — the mines are empty! Silver is mined in a town several hours away, and brought to Taxco. The silver jewelry we sell is made by local Taxco artisans.

Is sterling silver from Mexico real? ›

“Sterling silver” refers to silver that is at least 92.5% pure silver. Most of the items we sell at Mexican Silver Store are made with sterling silver. Generally, you'll see an item marketed at sterling silver, 925 silver, or see .

Why does Mexican silver turn black? ›

Silver becomes black because of hydrogen sulfide (sulfur), a substance that occurs in the air. When silver comes into contact with it, a chemical reaction takes place and a black layer is formed. Silver oxidizes faster in places with a lot of light and high humidity.

Which is better silver or sterling silver? ›

Sterling silver is better than silver when designing and wearing jewelry because it's stronger and can look good for a lifetime. Fine silver jewelry is easily damaged and not the best choice to wear on a regular basis. Sterling silver is also better for setting gemstones.

What does 975 mean on jewelry? ›

RING 975 – Aquamarine and Diamonds in 18kt White Gold.

What is the best grade of silver to buy? ›

Fine silver, or pure silver, is the most valuable form of silver. It contains 99.9% silver and is known for its high luster and lack of tarnish. Fine silver jewelry will usually have a “999” or “FS” mark somewhere on the piece.

Which is better 925 or 950 silver? ›

950 Silver contains 95% pure silver and is the highest grade of silver used for jewelry. This grade is used by Qinti Peru (Formerly Artisan Silver & Gifts) for its handmade jewelry. 925 Silver contains 92.5% pure silver and is the lowest possible grade to be considered "sterling silver".

What type of silver doesn't tarnish? ›

Pure silver, like pure gold, does not rust or tarnish.

What is the purest silver in the world? ›

It's called . 999 silver because it's technically 99.9% pure silver! This type of silver is the highest quality silver you can buy.

What is the silver capital of the world? ›

Wallace has long been famous as the “Silver Capital of the World” with 1.2 billion ounces of silver produced in Shoshone county since 1884.

Who owns the most silver mines in Mexico? ›

Saucito Mine, Mexico

Saucito is owned by inarguably the biggest silver mining company Fresnillo. Saucito is an underground mine with a shaft depth of about 1 km.

Where is the silver belt in Mexico? ›

…colonial period was the so-called Silver Belt, a region that extended from Guanajuato and Zacatecas in the Mesa Central to Chihuahua in the Mesa del Norte, with outposts such as San Luis Potosí farther east.

What Mexican silver doesn't tarnish? ›

This silver is called Argentium silver.

What years of Mexican pesos are silver? ›

What Year Pesos Are Silver? The silver Mexican Peso dates all the way back to 1869 with its first minting on the 1 peso, and continues until 1979 where the last silver peso minted was the 100 silver peso coin.

What grade is Mexican silver? ›

The "Mexico Silver" or "Silver Made in Mexico" marks are seen on pieces from the 1920's through mid 1940's, their silver standard varies, but is commonly above . 925 purity.

What is 1 oz of silver worth right now? ›

Live Silver Price

The current price of silver is $23.56 per troy ounce.

How much is 1 oz of silver right now? ›

Monex Live Silver Spot Prices
Silver Spot PricesTodayChange
Silver Prices Per Ounce$23.81+0.13
Silver Prices Per Gram$0.77+0.00
Silver Prices Per Kilo$765.49+4.18

How many ounces of silver are in $100 face value? ›

$100 Face value of coins. All coins contain 90% silver and 10% copper. Approximately 71.5 Troy oz of silver in each bag.

What is the difference between silver and Mexican silver? ›

Definition of Terms Used in Silver Jewelry

BRITANNIA SILVER - Must be at least 95.84% pure silver by weight. MEXICAN SILVER - Usually contains 95% silver and 5% copper; more pure than sterling. (Not all silver produced in Mexico is Mexican Silver).

What precious metal is Mexico known for? ›

As the world's top producer of silver and twelve other distinct minerals, Mexico's mining sector represents a leading opportunity for U.S. exporters.

Where does most of the world's silver come from? ›

Silver can be found across many geographies, but approximately 56% of the world's silver production is found in the Americas, with Mexico, Peru, and Chile supplying 43%.

Which is more valuable sterling silver or 925 silver? ›

Cost – When it comes to silver, purity is directly proportional to cost. Real silver, which has a higher purity than sterling silver, is generally more expensive. However, silver 925 is a popular alternative due to its relative affordability.

What is the difference between 925 and sterling silver? ›

What is the difference between sterling silver and 925 silver? When 92.5% of pure silver is mixed with 7.5% of other metals (often copper, nickel or zinc), the resulting alloy is called sterling silver. So, to wrap up, there is no difference between the terms sterling silver and 925 silver.

Is 92.5 silver Pawnable? ›

Is 925 silver pawnable? Yes, 925 silver is pawnable. Pawn shops will often accept 925 silver jewelry, coins, and other items as collateral for a loan.

How cheap is silver in Mexico? ›

Look no further for silver spot prices!
5 days1 month
Silver Price per Ounce (MXN)0.218.98

Is silver cheaper in Mexico than us? ›

No. In today's global economy, market prices are set internationally - metals, oil, you name it.

What does 970 mean on silver? ›

The majority of our pieces are made with sterling silver 970 which is an alloy that contains 97% of silver and 3% of copper, you'll find a stamp with this number or my logo in some pieces.

Which country has the best quality silver? ›

Silver Reserves: Top 3 Countries (Updated 2023)
  1. Peru. Silver reserves: 98,000 MT. At 98,000 metric tons (MT), Peru is at the top of the list for highest silver reserves in the world by country. ...
  2. China. Silver reserves: 71,000 MT. ...
  3. Poland. Silver reserves: 65,000 MT.

How much is silver worth in Mexico? ›

Price Of Silver in Mexico
Silver Price per Ounce:411.18+4.88
Silver Price per Gram:13.22+0.16
Silver Price per Kilo:13,219.73+156.89
May 27th 2023, 06:14:35 am NY time

What is the difference between Mexican silver and American silver? ›

Definition of Terms Used in Silver Jewelry

BRITANNIA SILVER - Must be at least 95.84% pure silver by weight. MEXICAN SILVER - Usually contains 95% silver and 5% copper; more pure than sterling. (Not all silver produced in Mexico is Mexican Silver).

How do you test Mexican silver? ›

The Magnet Test

"If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver." Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals. This is an easy test that can give you a good idea on whether your item is real silver or not.

What does Taxco mean on jewelry? ›

The most common percentage of silver in a piece of jewelry is 92.5% which is the minimum requirement for silver to be called “sterling silver.” This percentage is typically written as . 925 or 925 (hence our company's name, Taxco.

What does Mex 925 mean? ›

The term ". 925" is a designation and standard for Mexican Silver to show its level of purity. We are involved in every step of the process. We hand select each item from thousands of vendors in Taxco, Mexico. We are able to offer great prices on our products because we are direct buyers with no agents or middlemen.

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