A cameo is a portrait or a scene carved in relief with a distinct colored background. Gemstones were the substance of early cameos. In the nineteenth century, artisans utilized a variety of materials such as stone, shell, lava, coral, as well as manmade materials.

Some Lava from volcanoes is sometime used to form jewelry it is usually hand carved into many type of scenes & portraits. In particular the majority of the lava jewelry we see was made from the Lava comes from Mount Vesuvius in Italy. The Lava is soft and this material easily carved into elaborate shapes and as used to create a vast assortment of jewelry. Antique Bracelets, necklaces, rings and especially brooches creating impressive cameo designs. The Lava comes in a multiplicity of colors varying from white, beige colors through reddish tones, and black.

The fashion movement for lava cameo jewelry started in the early Victorian era, women visiting Italy usually in Pompeii and surrounding areas would acquire a piece of Lava Cameo jewelry as a keepsake of their visit.

Lava cameos’ are carved into a broad variety of subjects comparable to those found in shell cameos. Classical scenes as well as Roman and Greek gods and goddesses. You can discover famous historical and political figures from the Victorian era. A person may perhaps commission a lava cameo or ring to be created from her own portrait or family member. The lava cameos are in general found are mounted into gold or silver to form the foundation of jewelry.

Written by Annette Nolan of AnnEpiphany of Wisconsin

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