Let's talk about Cameos

When you walk in the front door of the Marketplace, the first thing that catches your eye is the dazzling display of jewelry. Case upon case of the "sparkly stuff" to tempt you.  Looking for a gift?  A special necklace for a special occasion? Think prom. Think wedding.  Do you love cameos?  There is something for everyone.

Our vendors have something for every budget and every style. The selection is constantly changing. 














Today we found a beautiful exhibit of cameos on display.

Delicate faces, framed in gold. Handcarved by artists. Ranging in ages and styles. Cameos never go out of style. 


But how do we choose?  How can we tell a real handcarved shell cameo from a molded imitation?


Wikipedia offers a basic tutorial on Cameo Jewelry. 






The Victoria & Albert museum in England offers an in-depth study of carving techniques and styles, including a look at the metamorphosis of a shell into a delicate cameo.

Italy is the home of some of the most famous cameo carvers. Artists, apprenticeship programs, dating back centuries -- and the tradition continues to the present day. Here's a wonderful link about Italian Cameos.

The Hermitage Museum features a large collection of cameos, and more information. Be sure to scroll down the page for a collection of images. Don't miss their collection of cameos, such as this one.

From the Hermitage Museum

If you want to take a stroll down Cameo Lane, here's a Google Image search of 

CAMEOS