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Cameos- Additional
Information...
Shipping Time:
Generally
ships in about 1-3 weeks.
Order Type:
These items are special ordered just for you and are not
returnable unless stock cameos are selected. If personalized, stock
items are not returnable. Optional chains are also available.
Product:
Each blue agate cameo varies somewhat in color and shading. Some
items may come as pin/pendant combinations... they have a bar pin on the
back along with a pendant bail so it can be worn two ways. All cameo
frames are 14k gold.
Personalization:
These beautiful cameos may be personalized on the back. Click
here for details and the personalization order form.
Conversion Chart
| mm |
9.5mm |
12.8mm |
15.9mm |
19.1mm |
22.3mm |
25.4mm |
31.8mm |
38.2mm |
| Inches |
3/8" |
1/2" |
5/8" |
3/4" |
7/8" |
1" |
1 1/4" |
1 1/2" |
* Millimeter measurements are
rounded off to the nearest 10th.
Proper Cameo Jewelry Care- Most of
our beautiful cameos are glued in place. To clean, use a soft cloth to
gently remove any dust or debris. A brief dip in a cool water and mild
soap solution can be used for periodic cleaning. Rinse well and gently dry
thoroughly. Do not use commercial cleaners, ultrasonic cleaning units or allow
your cameo jewelry to soak in water. Remove cameo jewelry before
showering, swimming or enjoying a hot tub. Hot water can cause
discoloration of your cameo and destroy the bond between the glue/epoxy and the
cameo resulting in the cameo falling out. |
History of Cameos and About Blue
Agate Cameos
The word "Agate" is derived from the
Sicilian River Achates where agates were probably found in antiquity. Agate is a
very special semi-precious stone which is classified as a banded chalcedony or
micro-crystalline quartz. The individual bands or layers give this stone its
uniqueness and character.
The art of cameo engraving can be traced as far
back as the second and first centuries B.C. to the ancient Greco-Roman Empires
where cameos enjoyed a golden age. The decline of the Roman Empire also brought
with it a period of dormancy for cameo development. It was not until the
fifteenth century during the period referred to as the Renaissance that cameos
resurfaced as an art form and as a medium for jewelry. The Medici family of
Florence is credited with restoring cameos as jewelry. At about the same time a
very high quality mine wad discovered in southern Germany. This region soon
became the center of cameo technology and by the beginning of the 19th century
possessed the most significant agate deposits in the world. Over the past
one hundred years, this area pioneered and is largely responsible for developing
and refining the techniques used to carve and color today's cameos. The once
rich deposits of these mines have been exhausted and the world is now dependent
on South America for its supply of high quality layered agate material.
The layered agate material that is used in
producing agate cameo gem carvings is usually cut from agates with even parallel
layers, a lighter layer above a darker one. The agate used in today's cameos is
naturally multiple shades of gray in color, ranging from a milky white
translucent to dark gray. The lower and softer layer is dyed to produce the
highly desirable blue chalcedony color; while the lighter colored upper layer
which is harder does not accept dying and remains white or milky in appearance.
Only 2 percent of all agate material mined is of
a quality suitable for detailed cameo cutting. It is important to note that of
this small percentage an even smaller percentage can be dyed blue making the
enclosed cameos precious and rare.
The exquisite motifs and silhouettes featured in
this collection have been carved relief style, employing the use of a highly
sophisticated ultrasonic etching process and elegantly framed in karat gold.
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