The Doctor of Silver
Submitted by administrator on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 20:53.
By: BAJA breeze
Los Castillo boasts more than 10,000 different pieces of silver
When Dr. Mario Sánchez Macfarland became an obstetrician/gynecologist, the future looked golden. But along came a recession in Mexico in the mid-90s, and suddenly the pathway to Mario’s future seemed paved with silver. That was when Mario went to work in his family’s business, the Los Castillo silver stores, all six of which are currently located on Lopez Mateos in Ensenada.
The Los Castillo story really began in the first half of the 15th century with the Spanish, who came to Mexico – Taxco, to be exact – to mine tin to create bullets. Two hundred years later, silver deposits were found here and since then Taxco’s economy has been based on the metal. Over the years, the town has produced world-famous silver artisans, including Antonio Castillo, who – with his brothers – formed his company Los Castillo in 1939. Today, the company thrives under the leadership of Antonio’s daughter, Emilia Castillo.
Back in Ensenada, in the 1960s, Mario’s father owned a bar and his mother was a teacher. His father was also a broker of local Baja items, such as abalone shells. While on a trip to Taxco, he met Antonio Castillo, who asked about purchasing shells to incorporate into his silver jewelry. Thus began a beautiful relationship. The Sánchez-Macfarlands began bringing Castillo’s pieces into Ensenada, and at the urging of Mario’s mother, the family opened its first store in 1969. Today, the business is a family affair, with participation from Mario’s mother, brothers and sisters.
Since starting his work with Los Castillo, Mario has remodeled all of the stores. Perhaps one of his most dramatic achievements has been the expansion of the signature store at Lopez Mateos #656. There, inspired by the artisan copper work created in the central Mexican village of Santa Clara del Cobre, he has created a Los Castillo-offshoot store of that name, where fabulous copper pieces, large and small, are artfully displayed. From sinks, to huge urns, to plates, to hand-wrought copper filigree tequila shot glasses –Santa Clara del Cobre gleams with a polished glow.
On either side, the copper shop is flanked by Los Castillo fine silver jewelry stores. In all of the stores up and down Lopez Mateos, all of the pieces – which are designed by famous silver artists including Emilia Castillo—are created in Taxco and personally selected by Mario or a Sánchez-Macfarland family member. Each is made of the finest silver, either .925 sterling or the exquisite .950 purity. But how does the typical customer know which is which, or even if he or she is buying true silver?
“You can never really know, when you are buying it,” says Mario. “The only way to be sure is to know who has worked on the piece, and to know and trust from whom you are purchasing.” He adds that the purer the silver, the softer it is.
Los Castillo boasts more than 10,000 different pieces of silver. But, if that is not enough, they will also help customers create individual pieces. If a client brings in a design, Mario is happy to consult with them about the viability of the creation and other materials – stones or crystals – that might be incorporated. Then, he will take the design to Taxco with him, to have the piece hand-crafted.
As he stands in the impressive doorway to Santa Clara del Cobre, it is clear that the doctor of silver, Mario Sánchez Macfarland, is in his milieu. His dark eyes twinkle almost as much as the copper as he bekons customers in the door.
“I love the touch and the interaction with people,” he explains. “I like to tell them how to try and recognize a well-crafted piece of silver…I like to share the story of Los Castillo with them.”
For more information about Los Castillo, visit www.loscastillosilver.com
Submitted by administrator on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 20:53.
By: BAJA breeze
Los Castillo boasts more than 10,000 different pieces of silver
When Dr. Mario Sánchez Macfarland became an obstetrician/gynecologist, the future looked golden. But along came a recession in Mexico in the mid-90s, and suddenly the pathway to Mario’s future seemed paved with silver. That was when Mario went to work in his family’s business, the Los Castillo silver stores, all six of which are currently located on Lopez Mateos in Ensenada.
The Los Castillo story really began in the first half of the 15th century with the Spanish, who came to Mexico – Taxco, to be exact – to mine tin to create bullets. Two hundred years later, silver deposits were found here and since then Taxco’s economy has been based on the metal. Over the years, the town has produced world-famous silver artisans, including Antonio Castillo, who – with his brothers – formed his company Los Castillo in 1939. Today, the company thrives under the leadership of Antonio’s daughter, Emilia Castillo.
Back in Ensenada, in the 1960s, Mario’s father owned a bar and his mother was a teacher. His father was also a broker of local Baja items, such as abalone shells. While on a trip to Taxco, he met Antonio Castillo, who asked about purchasing shells to incorporate into his silver jewelry. Thus began a beautiful relationship. The Sánchez-Macfarlands began bringing Castillo’s pieces into Ensenada, and at the urging of Mario’s mother, the family opened its first store in 1969. Today, the business is a family affair, with participation from Mario’s mother, brothers and sisters.
Since starting his work with Los Castillo, Mario has remodeled all of the stores. Perhaps one of his most dramatic achievements has been the expansion of the signature store at Lopez Mateos #656. There, inspired by the artisan copper work created in the central Mexican village of Santa Clara del Cobre, he has created a Los Castillo-offshoot store of that name, where fabulous copper pieces, large and small, are artfully displayed. From sinks, to huge urns, to plates, to hand-wrought copper filigree tequila shot glasses –Santa Clara del Cobre gleams with a polished glow.
On either side, the copper shop is flanked by Los Castillo fine silver jewelry stores. In all of the stores up and down Lopez Mateos, all of the pieces – which are designed by famous silver artists including Emilia Castillo—are created in Taxco and personally selected by Mario or a Sánchez-Macfarland family member. Each is made of the finest silver, either .925 sterling or the exquisite .950 purity. But how does the typical customer know which is which, or even if he or she is buying true silver?
“You can never really know, when you are buying it,” says Mario. “The only way to be sure is to know who has worked on the piece, and to know and trust from whom you are purchasing.” He adds that the purer the silver, the softer it is.
Los Castillo boasts more than 10,000 different pieces of silver. But, if that is not enough, they will also help customers create individual pieces. If a client brings in a design, Mario is happy to consult with them about the viability of the creation and other materials – stones or crystals – that might be incorporated. Then, he will take the design to Taxco with him, to have the piece hand-crafted.
As he stands in the impressive doorway to Santa Clara del Cobre, it is clear that the doctor of silver, Mario Sánchez Macfarland, is in his milieu. His dark eyes twinkle almost as much as the copper as he bekons customers in the door.
“I love the touch and the interaction with people,” he explains. “I like to tell them how to try and recognize a well-crafted piece of silver…I like to share the story of Los Castillo with them.”
For more information about Los Castillo, visit www.loscastillosilver.com