Have you ever held a cameo in your hand and felt the finely-carved lines with your finger?
If so, you understand that each and every cameo is a miniature work of art. Whether carved in carnelian shell or the rare sardonyx shell, mother-of-pearl or agate, cameos have an exquisite classic beauty that has held the attention of generations. And cameos make memorable gifts: they're great for graduation, Mothers' Day, Valentines day or your wedding anniversary.
The most popular cameos today are carved in sea shells, a tradition that began in the fifteenth or sixteenth century and was popularized by Queen Victoria of England. Since that time, cameos have predominately showcased women's profiles, and been worn by women who enjoy the beauty and craftsmanship of hand-carved cameos.
To produce a hand-carved shell cameo, most artists follow the following steps:
After the sardonyx or carnelian shell is selected, it is divided into two parts. One part of the shell is used for souvenir items and trinkets, and the other part — thicker and more richly colored — is used for cameos.
The part of the shell to be used for cameos, called the cup, is then divided further by a cutter. The back of these pieces of shell are then smoothed and rounded, and finally attached to a wooden stick for easy handling by the carver. The rough, curved outer layer is left exposed for carving.
Carvers work with a carving tool called a bullino, introduced by Italian carvers several hundred years ago, or small dental drills, to grind away shell.
After drawing a sketch of the subject matter on the shell, the carvers use traditional cameo carving tools to create the image. Most carvers sit near windows to take advantage of natural light, doing the majority of the work by hand. Cameos can take a few hours or a few days to complete.
Cameos are pieces of art, and must be cared for accordingly. Store your cameo away from heat or bright lights, in a softly lined box, and remember that simple cleaning is probably the best method:
Dust your cameo regularly with a soft brush. While dusting, pay attention to the deep ridges in the cameo where dust is likely to collect. Dust can scratch a cameo, so it is important to keep it as dust-free as possible. After dusting you may rinse a shell cameo with warm water, drying it afterward with a soft cotton cloth. Shell cameos are easily damaged, so avoid using soap, harsh cleaners or commercial jewelry cleaners. Mother-of-pearl cameos can be cleaned with a mixture of mild soap and warm water before being dried with a soft cloth.
N153) Wonderful Necklace with Precious Stones. Genuine Garnets and Cameo in Solid 925 Sterling silver. Bi-color carved cameo. Four reddish brown red garnets accent cameo. Total item weight 9.9g (~0.32 ounces). Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N392) Stylish necklace with genuine cameo (lady holding bird) beautifully crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 5.2g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Cameo is carved in a bi-color stone. Your price $25.00 (suggested retail price $119.00).
N511) High quality necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.3g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Cameo is bi-color and carved. Four round peridots totaling 0.16cwt. Figure is holding flowers. Your price $319.00 (suggested retail price $80.00).
N513) Fashionable necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 10.5g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Carved bi-color cameo. Four yellowish green peridots totaling 0.25cwt. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N514) Nice necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo beautifully crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.6g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Carved bi-colored cameo. Four green peridots totaling 0.25cwt. Cameo figure holding flower. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N515) Attractive necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 10.0g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Bi-color carved cameo. Four green peridots totaling 0.25cwt. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N516) Pleasant necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo beautifully crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.0g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Bi-color carved cameo. Four dark red garnets totaling 0.32ctw. Cameo figure is holding flowers. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N517) Charming necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 10.50g. Length 18 inches. Bi-color carved cameo. Four round dark red garnets totaling 0.44ctw. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N518) Nice necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo made of 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.5g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Bi-colored carved cameo. Four round dark red garnets totaling 0.44ctw. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N519) Nice necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.3g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Four dark red garnets totaling 0.44ctw. Cameo figure is holding a flower. Your price $319.00 (suggested retail price $80.00).
N520) Charming necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.2g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Four dark red garnets totaling 0.44ctw. Cameo figure is holding flowers. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N521) Nice necklace with genuine cameo beautifully designed in 925 sterling silver. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 24mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Cameo figure is holding a fairy. Your price $60.00 (suggested retail price $245.00).
N522) High quality necklace with genuine cameo beautifully designed in 925 sterling silver. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 24mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Cameo figure is holding a fairy. Your price $60.00 (suggested retail price $245.00).
N523) Attractive necklace with genuine cameo in 925 sterling silver. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 23mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Small butterfly is on figure’s hand. Your price $60.00 (suggested retail price $245.00).
N524) Majestic necklace with genuine chalcedonies and genuine cameo in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 5.4g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 23mm. Cameo made of chalcedony, with bi-color carving. Figure has a butterfly on her hand. Your price $65.00 (suggested retail price $249.00).
N525) Charming necklace with genuine chalcedonies and genuine cameo beautifully designed in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 5.1g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 23mm. Cameo made of chalcedony with bi-color carving. Figure has a butterfly on her hand. Your price $60.00 (suggested retail price $245.00).
N526) Charming necklace with genuine cameo in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 5.2g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 37mm. Pendant width 23mm. Bi-color carved cameo. Figure is holding bird in hand. Your price $60.00 (suggested retail price $249.00).
N530) High quality necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo. Well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.9g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Bi-colored carved cameo. Pendant length 46.5mm. Pendant width 31mm. Four red garnets totaling 0.36ctw. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N531) Stylish necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.8g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Bi-colored carved cameo. Four red garnets totaling 0.44cwt. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N532) Stylish necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 10g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 47mm. Pendant width 30mm. Bi-carved carved cameo. Four red garnets totaling 0.35cwt. Cameo figure is holding flowers. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N533) Attractive necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.5g. Length 18 inches. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Bi-colored carved cameo. Four round red garnets totaling 0.44ctw. Cameo figure holding a flower. Your price $80.00 (suggested retail price $319.00).
N588) Stylish necklace with precious stones: Genuine peridots and cameo crafted in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 10.4g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 47mm. Pendant width 30.5mm. Suggested retail price $319.00. Your price $80.00.
N659) Stylish necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo well made in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.3g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46.5mm. Pendant width 31.5mm. Four peridot stones totaling 0.32cwt. Suggested retail price $319.00. Your price $80.00.
N667) Fashionable necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo made of 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.9g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46.5mm. Pendant width 31mm. Four round brownish-orange garnets totaling 0.36ctw. Suggested retail price $319.00. Your price $80.00.
N668) Fashionable necklace with precious stones. Genuine peridots and cameo in 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.8g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Four round green peridots totaling 0.25ctw. Suggested retail price $319.00. Your price $80.00.
N669) Elegant necklace with precious stones. Genuine garnets and cameo made of 925 sterling silver. Total item weight 9.4g. Length 18 inches. Spring ring necklace lock. Pendant length 46mm. Pendant width 31mm. Four round brownish orange garnets totaling 0.36cwt. Suggested retail price $319.00. Your price $80.00.
