Stuart Alarcón

Stuart Alarcón is a young artisan and jeweler from Taxco (Mexico), a place known for its silver jewelry.

After graduating from university, he had the opportunity to work with a master belonging to the previous generation. Learning from him not only involved technical skills, but also a connection with the history and cultural heritage of silversmithing in Taxco.

After approximately two years of collaboration, Stuart Alarcón decided to go his own way. Although he continues to apply the teachings he has received, he has evolved and developed his own creative techniques, which demonstrates his ability to merge tradition and modernity.

Stuart Alarcón is not only a skilled artisan, but also a creator who has managed to find his place in the world of silverware in Taxco. His story is a testament to the importance of tradition, innovation and dedication in the world of art and craftsmanship.

Stuart Alarcón works with a variety of materials to give life to her unique jewelry. In addition to 925 silver, which is the main material in his Lewitt jewelry collection, he experiments with other metals, such as tumbaga, an alloy commonly found in local metal stores. Tumbaga, known for its versatility and durability, is made into small models that serve as the basis for his designs.

In his workshop, he also manipulates metals such as brass, exploring the possibilities offered by the alloys available in the form of wires or sheets. This diversity of materials allows him to add layers of complexity and texture to his creations, creating pieces that go beyond the conventional limits of silversmithing.

Many jewelers collect the ​“lint” generated when polishing silver, which contains silver particles. However, this recovery process typically involves the use of acids, a practice known for its polluting impact.

Stuart Alarcon has decided not to process the lint collected from polished silver-a conscious decision not to use polluting acids in exchange for obtaining small additional amounts of silver!

On the other hand, occasionally, when buying silver, Stuart is faced with the option of acquiring ​“salvaged silver”, that is, silver that has been recovered or recycled from various sources. In a region such as Taxco, where the buying and selling of silver is common, this type of salvaged silver is an example of the circularity of the local jewelry industry. In addition, this practice reduces dependence on mining.

From design to jewelry creation, each step is carried out in her own workshop, located in her home. Here, her jewelry comes to life through artisanal techniques and design.

In addition, the richness of the local market of Taxco becomes a local source for the procurement of their materials. This direct connection with local resources enriches their creations, in addition to collaborating with the local economy and jewelry tradition of Taxco.

Stuart Alarcón, does not use materials of animal origin in his jewelry.

Notable among the materials he uses is 925 silver, which contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This choice of material reflects Stuart’s dedication to an animal-friendly approach in his artistic practice.

Every step of Stuart Alarcón’s process is conscientiously handcrafted, from the design idea to the final creation. Each piece is cut and welded by hand, doing so without molds or lost wax casting techniques. In addition, he makes the wire himself rather than buying it ready-made.

This careful production ensures that each piece of jewelry is unique, thus capturing the distinctive essence of designer jewelry.

It is often difficult to find out where the silver comes from. Stuart procures his materials locally through small suppliers from the Taxco market, a market renowned for the excellence of its silver jewelry.