The history of silver...

One of the main reasons that Peru was such an important colony for the Spanish Crown was its incredible wealth. From the middle of the 16th century and all through the initial gold fever displayed by the "conquistadores" who looted the Andean temples and palaces, the discovery of rich silver deposits in Alto Peru (now Bolivia) and of mercury deposits in Huancavelica, used in the exploitation of silver, became the basis for the Peruvian virreinato's grandeur during the 16th and 17th centuries and for the domination of the capital of Lima over the other South American cities.

The history of silver in colonial Peru is anyhing but a happy one. Recruited by force and under the pretense of paying off taxes to the Spanish Crown in labor instead of in money, thousands of natives were forced to work in subhuman conditions in the mines. This resulted in a high mortality rate in the Central Andes and in the destruction of the rural economies, whose stronger citizens were sent to work in the mines with few people left in the villages to plant and tend to agriculture. However, life was very different for the Criollos (Peruvians of Spanish descent) and Spaniards. This precious metal passed through so many hands and intermediaries that the silver that finally arrived in Spain was much less than what came out of the mines.

It crossed the Andes on the backs of llamas and other animals which transported it towards the Pacific Ocean to the town of Arica, where it was loaded onto ships and sent to the port city of Lima, Callao, where it was weighed in customs and the corresponding taxes paid. Its long journey then continued on to Panama, where it was again transported across the isthmus on the back of beasts to the Caribbean for final loading onto the ships destined for Seville.

The opulence of Lima's elite and the abundance of the mineral led to the development of a sophisticated silversmith industry, which produced jewelry, utensils for the home and decorative objects for both Lima's homes and churches. In the 18th century, the Spanish Crown opened up international commerce to other South American ports and the silver route changed to Buenos Aires, which became the center for the new virreinato.

The Peruvian virreinato was fragmented into different circunscripciones which led to the decadence of Lima's ruling classes. Silver objects in the old capital increased in value and thanks to the scarcity of the mineral, forced the artisans to improve the quality of their products. This tradition has remained intact even after the War of Independence and continues today.

Today's modern Peruvian artisans continue to work the silver as if it were an old friend. They continue to fabricate jewelry for the elite, but also produce artwork for the average consumer with the same quality and artistry used by their colonial predeccesors.

How to maintain and clean silver jewelry

You have purchased a beautiful silver jewel from our collection and now you want to know how to keep it pretty? In this article you will find tips about how to maintain your Inti product.


Of course it is important you avoid the damage in the first place. This means you should not spray perfumes, hair spray, lotions, and similar items. Also make sure your jewels stay away from make-up, foods, and drink. If you do stain your jewelry with the above, rinse immediately with water and soap (mild, phosphate free preferably). Avoid strong chemicals, such as those found in hair coloring and dyes; these can tarnish silver instantly. Removing your jewelry when you bath or swim may or may not be necessary; we recommend you always take it off since it might damage the silver or stones.

To clean your jewelry you can use a soft polishing cloth. This helps remove any dirt or oils that may get on your jewelry through contact with skin and the environment. A soft non-abrasive cloth will work, or you can buy a special silver polishing cloth at a jewelry store. The frequency of such cleanings will vary with each person, but the hard and fast rule is to wipe the piece anytime you feel the shine is looking dull or before you store the piece away for an extended period.


If you don’t wear the jewelry it is important to stow it away carefully in the box you will get when you purchase your Inti product.

For a more thorough cleaning, detergents can be used. One method is to put a little bit of baking soda or other mild non-phosphate detergents on your jewelry, then wash with mineral free water by either rubbing with fingers or using a soft cloth. Take note, however, that the softer your stones are, the more delicate your soap should be. You can easily brush off dirt from harder diamonds and sapphires with a good solution of distilled water and cleaning powder.

There are also chemical cleaners available, but repeated use of liquid cleaners can result in discoloration overtime, therefore, such cleaners should only be used sparingly and only when other methods of cleaning fail.