Today, Nick Fong of Ronival Real Estate is thrilled to welcome a very special guest — designer Daniel Espinosa. Although Nick has never met Daniel before, he mentions that his wife Rocio is a long-time fan of his work. Daniel is a renowned Mexican jeweler from Taxco, the historic silver town south of Mexico City known for its artisans and cultural heritage.
Having such a rich silver-mining history, you’ll be intrigued by who discovered this region that once helped the Aztecs and Spanish build their wealth. With silver flowing from the hills, generations of artisans perfected their craft, producing both religious and royal works of art. Much like the artistic spirit alive today in Palmilla Los Cabos, creativity and craftsmanship remain central to Taxco’s identity.
The silver town of Taxco
As Daniel explains in the podcast, the silver riches of Taxco were discovered by Hernán Cortés while conquering Mexico. Initially seeking metal for weapons manufacturing, his explorers found silver — and even gold — instead. After informing the King of Spain, Cortés shifted focus entirely to mining. The mines of Taxco supplied Spain with immense wealth for centuries to come.
Before Spanish arrival, the indigenous settlement called “Taxco” was located about ten kilometers south of the modern city — now known as Taxco el Viejo (“Old Taxco”). It served as a regional center for Aztec governance and tribute collection across seven surrounding districts.
Mining in Taxco
Mining in Taxco began during pre-Hispanic times with natives extracting decorative stones for ritual purposes. The Spanish later discovered silver lodes around 1532, launching large-scale operations. Early colonial mining was run through haciendas such as Hacienda del Chorrillo and Hacienda San Juan Bautista — enterprises that shaped the town’s prosperity.
By the 1540s, artisans in Taxco began creating religious pieces and jewelry for Spanish nobility, making the town a magnet for craftsmen — similar to how modern-day artisans and architects contribute to luxury communities like Querencia Los Cabos and Cabo Del Sol today.
Daniel Espinosa’s experience with silver
Growing up in Taxco, Daniel Espinosa learned to work with silver from an early age. Fascinated by beauty in design for both men and women, he decided to become a jeweler at just 17. Balancing entrepreneurship and education, he trained in Mexico City to refine his craft and prepare for a design career.
After studying under leading designers, Daniel envisioned a distinctive brand identity. Combining creativity, craftsmanship, and branding expertise, he built a global jewelry label that continues to represent Mexico’s artistry on the world stage.
Work With Ronival Real Estate
Ronival Real Estate has helped thousands of buyers and sellers across Los Cabos since 2010. If you’re interested in Cabo Real Estate, our team can assist with everything from showings and negotiations to closing and property management. Have questions? Contact us here or call +52 (624) 227 5766.