( 
)
Twenty-Five Facts about Cameos
- A cameo consists of two layers: a raised figure/scene and a background.
- The oldest known cameo, found in Alexandria (Egypt), dates to the 3rd century B.C. and was carved from agate.
- Miniature works of art, cameos were often used as "pictures" of ancient rulers.
- Traditional cameos were carved from sardonyx or carnelian shell. Now they incorporate materials such as agate, lava, jet, ivory, celluoid, Bakelite, resin, glass, and plastic.
- A shell cameo proves translucent when held to light and has a curved back.
- Examine details such as facial features (especially the nose), hair styles, body shape (Barbie-doll clones didn't exist before the middle of the 20th century), clothing, and pin or clasp styles to assist with dating a cameo.
- Mass produced cameos are generally molded and not carved.
- Italian craftsmen invented the original cameo carving tool, the bullino, in the early 1800s.
- Victorian women considered a cameo carved in their personal likeness a prized possession.
- Cameos were favored jewelry of rulers such as Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria, Emperor Napolean and his wife Josephine.
- From the Civil War to the World War II era, cameos were the most popular pieces of jewelry most women owned.
- A cameo habille included jewelry with miniature precious stones worn by the carved likeness, and was popular in the late 19th century.
- In the late 20th century German artists developed a laser techinque to produce stone cameos.
- Torre del Greco, a town near Mt. Vesusius in Italy, is the Cameo Capital of the world.
- The value of a cameo is not necessarily dependent on the value of the metal in its setting.
- The rarity, craftsmanship, and condition of the carving often determines the price of a cameo.
- Cameos bearing full figures or detailed scenes are usually worth considerably more than facial cameos.
- Cameos are brittle, and may crack if dropped.
- Chips and cracks considerably reduce a cameo's value because they cannot be repaired.
- To preserve cameos, do not expose them to long periods of direct sunlight or heat.
- The fine details of a good cameo can be worn down, so avoid wearing one when it could brush frequently against a surface harder that itself.
- Keep cameos out of sonic cleaners or jewelry cleaning solutions which can damage or destory the finish.
- Wipe your cameo with mineral oil about once a year, and let it set overnight. In the morning, gently clean it using a cotton swab or soft toothbrush. Wash in lukewarm water and mild soap (non-bacterial dishwashing soap or mild shampoo, for example), and dry thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth or the cool air flow of a hair dryer.
- Never keep a cameo in a plastic bag or wrapped in cotton. Leave it exposed to air -- sitting it in your jewelry box works fine.
- Rare cameos that sold for remarkable amounts:
- A cherub band playing accordians
- A flapper wearing eyeglasses, smoking a cigarette, and holding a liquor bottle
- The Two Faces of Janus carved in high relief from rare angelskin coral and sporting diamond and ruby eyes
Guide created: 07/06/06 (updated 11/19/09)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
