The Always Fashionable Cameo

Antique & Vintage Cameos

Hello Cape Girardeau, Missouri and beyond,

Are you a cameo lover or collector? If not, you should consider the beauty and uniqueness of a cameo. A cameo is like pearls, always in fashion, and always makes a statement.

Originally, cameos were carved to stand out from the surrounding background design on a natural substance. Our definition of cameos today consists of two layers, a raised figure on a background and some consider beautiful artistic designs a cameo.

The first cameo dates to the third century B.C. and was made of agate. Italy is the cameo capital of the world. Cameos were the favorite jewelry of female rulers, such as Queen Victoria. From the American Civil War through World War II, cameos were the most popular piece of jewelry a woman owned and many women own one or more today.

Antique and vintage carved cameos are carved from onyx, carnelian, shell, agate, jet, ivory, Bakelite, celluloid and even glass, stone, lava, plastic or resin.

What do you look for to determine value and material of a cameo? Cameo values are determined by the setting, the metal it is set in, the age, and the material used. Full figures are generally forth more than facial cameos. Left facing figures or faces are valued at more than right facing because of their rarity. Examine the facial features, especially the nose, clothing, and especially clasp styles. They are massed produced if they are molded and not carved. Is it shell? Shell is translucent when held to the sunlight. If a cameo is real and not plastic, it will not have molded plastic seams and it will be cool to the touch. I touch it to my face.

To clean your cameo -- do not put it in a sonic cleaner. Wipe it down with mineral oil and let it set overnight to soak up the oil and dry. You can wash it in gentle dishwashing liquid with a cloth - don't dip. Do this prior to the mineral oil and let it dry first, before the mineral oil application. Do not store in plastic bags. Your jewelry box is fine.

Shop for your miniature work of art at our vintages stores, you may get very lucky and find diamond or ruby eyes in your cameo!

Register and join us for vintage fun at Unique Chic: Vintage Fashion for Today. Unique Chic workshop will be held at Southeast University campus, Thursdays, March 6th -- 27th from

6 -- 8 P.M. Use the magic word VINTAGE as your promotion code when registering for a $5 discount. Register in person, by phone - call 573-986-6879, or online at www.semo.edu/continuinged

Have fun. Be classic, be you, wear vintage.