Monday, March 18, 2019

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.