What makes cameos valuable

Imported from the city of Torre del Greco, Italy, the center of cameo carving in the world—our cameos come directly from the studio of the master carver Gennaro Borriello, who employs trained artisan carvers. This relationship ensures that each hand-carved cameo we sell is produced by artists whose hands understand the shells they carve and the timeless beauty they create.

You never actually own a real, hand-carved cameo; you merely look after it for the next generation. The carnelian shell is the shell most frequently used for cameo carving.

In color, carnelian shells are a low-intensity peach or orange color, offering contrast between foreground and background colors. The sardonyx shell has a thick outer wall and a dark brown interior, and when carved it can resemble marble. Cameos carved in sardonyx shells are distinctive in color with a dark brown background and white foreground, and frequently cost more because the shells are rare.

Some cameos are carved in mother-of-pearl, producing a cameo of an opalescent, bluish-gray color. These cameos are best set in silver. Our Agate cameos are carved ultrasonically. Blue or green in color, these cameos come from Germany and have a more modern look, despite the fact that agate has been used for cameos for centuries.

Many of the cameos are set in sterling silver or burnished silver. Others are set in 14K gold. The shell cameos, imported from Italy, are all signed on the back by the master carver Gennaro Borriello who owns the studio.

Master carvers will sign the cameo on the front of the carving. Thanks to Anna M. 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.

Yet cameos have not always been decorative jewelry for women. In fact, at different points in history they have been worn as frequently by men. Jay Freedman. Kiefer Nuncio.

What is Cameo Jewelry? Luckily, we have some tips to help you distinguish between a real and a fake cameo. How to Value Your Cameo There are three easy ways to determine if you cameo is made of plastic or of shell or stone.

One is the hot needle test. The next is to hit it against your teeth. If the sound is dull, chances are it is plastic. Finally, use your sense of touch. A real cameo real will be cool to the touch. Here are a few factors to consider: Does the subject face right or left?

The most common way to face is right. The second most popular is left, then forward. These rare facing cameos can be worth a lot of money. Women are used most often as subject matter in a cameo, but a man is worth more. Depictions of African American individuals are worth even more. Women with elaborate hair or hats, children, historical or mythical figures are highly prized by collectors. Cameos depicting scenes instead of a human figure are uncommon and usually appraise higher.

Authentic carved cameos are made from natural materials , such as shell, agate, onyx, ivory, coral, mother-of-pearl, and various gemstones. Genuine painted cameos are typically made from porcelain. If the cameo in question is made from plastic or resin, it is a fake.

Test its hardness. Gently tap the cameo against your tooth and listen to the sound it produces. If it sounds dull or hollow, it is likely made from plastic.

In contrast, a cameo that looks fairly solid is probably made of stone or another natural material. Pay attention to the direction of the profile portrait. The figure on the majority of antique cameos will face right.

However, many imitation cameos face leftward or forward. Check for carving marks. These are little indentations made from carving tools and indicate the piece was hand-carved. Plastic cameos are typically carved with lasers, so they have a more uniform, smooth look.

Cameo jewelry is a timeless antique that continues to flourish in the market today. With a plethora of vintage and contemporary designers creating reimagined versions of classics, we are afforded the ability to continue to purchase these beautiful pieces at National Rarities.

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