Vintage Stamped Mexico Navajo silver handmade teardrop earrings abalone inlay.

An Amazing and fun pair of striking dangling earrings made from Alpaca ‘silver’ and inlaid Abalone shell. The geometrically designed earrings have five articulated linked tiers of the alpaca frames. The flexible sections allow for great movement. Stamped on the back of each, “ MEXICO”. The earrings date to the late 1960s – early 1970s. They measure 3-1/4 inches from top of hoop. Earring body is 2-3/4 inches long x 1-5/8 inches wide.Beautiful earrings that are very well crafted. HISTORIQUE: Alpaca Silver or ‘Alpaca’ is an alloy or mixture of metals that closely resembles sterling silver. Though it has the natural beauty of sterling, the alloy does not contain any real silver. Alpaca is also known as Nickel Silver and or German Silver. The term for this alloy in Mexico, Central America, and South America is Alpaca Silver. 
Alpaca was most often used instead of sterling because it is hardier, needs less polishing and was more affordable for silversmiths.