The Emergence of Stone and Shell Cameos

Maria Kechaidis is a respected presence in the counseling sphere who leads OMNI Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC, and works with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Passionate about antiques, Maria Kechaidis focuses on jewelry, including hand painted and carved brooches.

Set into brooches, bracelets, rings, and earrings, cameos typically feature classical figures, scenery, and faces at profile and were originally crafted from stone. Among the stones suitable for the intricate carvings are agate, onyx, coral, jet, and lava. 

By the 16th century, demand for less expensive cameos led to shells being used, and these included common Mediterranean findings such as white and pink Queen’s Conches and Black Helmet. They were particularly popular among visitors to Roman ruins such as Herculaneum and Pompeii, and Italian cameo carvers established retail presences spanning England, France, and North America.

With stone cameos generally holding more value than those made from shells, the single largest determiner of value is the artistry involved. A magnifying glass reveals the craftsmanship, including the smoothness and assurance of the detail and lines. Holding a cameo up to a light emphasizes a piece's translucency, and may further reveal cracks and other imperfections that will impact value.

Prenatal Vitamins Associated with Lower Autism Risk

Guiding OMNI Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC, as counselor and clinical director, Maria Kechaidis has a focus on solutions that meet the diverse requirements of New Jersey families. An emphasis for Maria Kechaidis is on understanding and treating people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry points to the potential benefit of taking prenatal vitamins within the first month of pregnancy. Encompassing 241 children with older siblings living with ASD, the research involved evaluation of child development from six months through three years old. 

Similar to previous study findings, approximately one-fourth of children whose older siblings lived with ASD also developed autism. However, a major shift was experienced among children whose mothers had taken prenatal vitamins early in the pregnancy. Of these children, 14.1 percent went on to develop autism, as opposed to 32.7 percent of those whose mothers took no vitamin supplements. 

A key conclusion was that vitamins with iron and folic acid seem to protect against autism and other developmental disorders.