GUEST: This came down through my family. It started with my grandmother, as far as I know, and then it came to my mother. I think it just sat in her drawer for years. I'm not sure she ever used it. And then it was passed down to my wife in a box of costume jewelry, so she wore a piece now and then, but eventually it ended up with my two daughters. They used it for dress-up, along with the rest of the costume jewelry. So, that's about all I know about it.
APPRAISER: Okay, well, it's very pretty. Unfortunately, it is not sapphire.
GUEST: Right.
APPRAISER: It is glass. But it's sterling silver, and it's made by a woman whose name was Margaret van Voorhies Carr Castillo...
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: ...who went by Margot de Taxco. And on the back here, you can see a lovely maker's mark, Mexican maker's mark.
GUEST: Oh, sure.
APPRAISER: She was a fascinating woman. She worked in her husband's shop, Mr. Castillo, and then was one of the few women to open her own shop in Mexico, in 1948.
GUEST: Wow.
APPRAISER: She's very collectable, and her wonderful jewels were inspired by Egyptian motifs, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Mexican influences. What's fantastic here is that you have a suite of jewels and that you have a collection, you have the bracelet, the pin, the pendant, the necklace. Unfortunately, we have a little bit of damage to the back of the earrings. The earring has been altered. But even with the alteration, because you have a collection, even though it's glass and sterling, it would retail currently-- and she died in 1985-- for $3,000.
GUEST: Oh, wow-- no kidding! Well, that's great.
APPRAISER: So, I hope that makes you happy.
GUEST: Oh, terrific-- that's wonderful.
APPRAISER: Now, if the back of the earring hadn't been changed, and glued on...
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: ...and the pieces hadn't been altered, it would retail for over $4,000.
GUEST: Oh, no kidding.
APPRAISER: But, I think it's quite a beautiful piece.
GUEST: Oh, it's terrific.
APPRAISER: A great example of terrific Mexican craftsmanship by a real, true artisan.
GUEST: Uh-huh, sure, great-- that's terrific.
