Our handmade sterling silver and 18k gold concho belts.

We produce an incredible collection of concho belts.  For those of you who don't know what a concho belt is, it is a belt that is adorned with multiple, generally sterling silver, adornments and a sterling silver belt buckle and keeper (the thing the belt goes through). Concho belts are big in the Southwest, like Santa Fe, NM for example.

Our concho belts are fabricated out of sterling silver with 18k yellow gold embellishments.  Some of our concho belts are jeweled with star rubies, star sapphires and a myriad of other semi-precious stones.  For questions on pricing, or to request a custom concho belt, please contact us at 512.797.9963, or email me at alex@dandadesigns.com.

Fortis Cross Pendant design video- from rough pencil sketch to final digital rendering by Alex Vazquez.

This is a rendering I did for our "Fortis" pendant. The pendant was fabricated in 18k gold and diamond pave. I started the rendering with a rough pencil sketch with a small amount of low opacity marker for a little added value. From there I began my digital rendering in Photoshop CS4. This process begins with general shapes, then I add detail like the cross and diamonds and finish off the rendering with some highlights and shadows to give it a sense of depth.  [Music by Charlie May].

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Our blackened silver tear drop, cross embelished earrings. Rock on...

Demian and I were "playing around" in the studio putting shapes and cast icons together when we came up with these earrings.  We were looking for an edgy look... of course, but also a set of earrings women could wear with just about anything. We blackened the cut-out tear drop shapes to give the earrings an antique textured look and it contrasts well with the polished finish of the crosses.  The little stars on the bottom are sterling silver and 18k yellow gold... some simple detailing to break up the silver droplet.

You can check them out on our retail site if you wish - www.dandabrothers.com.  Please feel free to comment on these earrings.  We'd love to hear your opinion.

The silver and 18k gold "Santo" bracelet.

The Santo bracelet is another one of our first pieces, and still one of my all time favorite D&A bracelets.  We designed this piece while in San Miguel as well... 2002.  We worked with a great jewelry fabricator simply named Polo who owned a small jewelry fabrication shop.  Anyhow, the top piece was carved and cast in 18k yellow gold.  The dual bone toggles were created in the same fashion.  On a side note, the dual front toggles have become a real signature look to D&A.  One either side you'll find six tiny silver skulls which give this piece a real "dia de los muertos" (day of the dead) look and feel.

This piece feels great on too.  Nice and heavy and... wow does it stand out.  Every time I wear this piece out, which is just about every day, it gets noticed, a lot.  The silver and gold santo bracelet has a fairly hefty price-tag due to the large amount of 18k gold, but it's one of those pieces you will have for a lifetime, and will most likely become a family heirloom.  You can purchase the Santo bracelet here - Silver and 18k Gold Santo Bracelet by D&A.

Our first dog tag design from 2002.

This first dog tag was designed by my brother Demian and I while we were in San Miguel De Allende during Christmas 2002.  We discovered a lot of inspiration while in Mexico and from our Mexican heritage.  I think we did a decent job with this piece, considering it was our first.  We actually still sell this dog tag quite frequently which is a little surprising.  Not because it isn't a great piece, but because our new dog tag designs are much more refined and contain a substantial more detailing.  I assume a great deal of the attraction of this piece is the fact that it represents the beginning of "D&A".  Well, at least it was a part of the pioneering "Sanctuary" collection. Please feel free to comment on this design and let us know what you think.  We promise not to get our feelings hurt if this piece "isn't your thing".

This piece can be purchased here - Sterling Silver Dog Tag with Skull Wings & White Pearl.