Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

I have to admit, I was wrong.
These earrings were sold on eBay couple of weeks ago. I thought they were very old shell cameos.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Edwardian-...ner=1&_rdt=1&ul_noapp=true#vi__app-cvip-panel

Now I see another pair, to be auctioned tomorrow and I start doubting my ability to tell shell from plastic.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0133/lot-a7285722-eb42-4e21-9230-accd00fc2b7a

 

The first photos were blurry. That doesn't help!

 

Plastic has become really good at reproducing genuine shell colors. With only a limited number of photos to go by it is not hard to be fooled when you never would be if you could study the piece in your hand. This is how one develops a mental database of frauds, by seeing exact replicas. No 2 hand carved cameos are ever exactly alike. Feeling better about missing out?

 

Much better!

 

I know it is not an expensive one, but this came a couple weeks ago. I like it because of the shape, and that it is not a “bust” type cameo. No clue about the meaning though- any thoughts?

 

Just Venus & Cupid cavorting. Very unusual shape. Marcasite & 800 silver setting is Italian, c. 1930s. Pretty little thing.

 

Thank you!

 

I hope I am posting this in the correct section!! I Have a question about a cameo I am looking to purchase. I was wondering If some one could tell me what the aprox. age of the Cameo is. Also, what something like this worth? It is a shell cameo. There are no markings but was tested 14K, it is 68.8mm or 2.72" in height, and 56.1mm or 2.21" in width. She has four diamonds (confirmed real) that equal about .25tdw.. I have not seen another one like this.
Any help would be appreciated.
Willow

 

I think it is fairly modern but may not be correct. I think it's lovely! Do you happen to have access to a photo of the back? That might help in dating it. That type of setting could be from the early 20th century, but was popular later also. So it could be newer. The back might show more clues.

And I'm glad you posted in this thread because it hadn't been used in a while. I hope others will be by soon! I don't know what the value of this would be. I've never seen real gems in a hair ornament before. Maybe others have. @Bronwen , et al.

 

Thanks for your reply I do have a picture of the back, I hope this helps. The clasp is actually white gold, not the yellow that it looks like in the picture.
Thanks,
Willow

 

Yea, Bronwen will probably have lots to tell you

JMHO, but I agree, fairly recent by the hinge and clasp, also the upturned nose on the face. She's very pretty!

 

She looks pretty new to me too. Cameo habille in the style of one from the 1920s, but the carving is more post-1980 than 1900.

 

She was just so beautiful and a great size, I just HAD to pick her up! Still interested in any info. I can get about her.

 

Welcome, Willow. Do I understand you have already purchased her? She's a lovely piece, probably 1930s. Other cameo regulars have already given you good guidance. When a cameo subject is herself wearing jewellery this way, she is said to be en habillé, clothed. I particularly like that an effort was made to have the pendant & headband face in the same direction she is. So often they just face dead front.

She's a lovely piece & if I saw her at a jewellery show I know the dealer would be asking 2 - 3 thousand dollars. And I would shake my head no, too much. The carving is competent, not spectacular. The greater value is in the gold & the diamonds, not in the cameo itself. But she wears her gems well & you should glory in her.

 

WOW! I guess I did pretty well on her, as she was $599.00. I know she is missing the sapphire that was originally in her pendant, But I have a great jeweler that I deal with for repairs, so it will be easily replaced.
This was a gift from my husband for my 20th wedding anniversary (April 4th) He knows I love cameos (this is my second) and I tend to be drawn to the unique.
Thank you so much for all the information.

 

That was a reasonable price. She really is a cut above most of her sisters. Hope you get the pendant stone replaced. Now, where can I get a husband like that?

 

Here's another questions for all of you. Ed and I were out at the antique shops here in NE PA, and I came across this cameo. I was not sure of it's aprox. age but the pin looks older The frame is .925 silver, with 14K gold chain and real diamond (I have a tester) She is 2 1/4in. by 1 3/4. I love the fact that she is wearing a Star of David.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sandra

 

Mine once gave me some wooden spoons at Christmas because ‘we needed them’ . Recovery took some time......

 

It's OK, My husband and I made an agreement when we first got married. See, He was brought up with holidays not being very important and his first marriage was the same. (He was also brought up that jewelry was materialistic) I told him straight up... I LOVE jewelry, so I will help you pick out gifts for the holidays that I will like & will mean something to me. Heck I even picked out my Tanzanite engagement ring. Only thing I had to agree on was NO earrings (go figure) though he was there when I had my hose pierced for my 30th b-day. MEN... almost 20 years and STILL trying to figure him put!!!!