Antique Cameo Jewelry
I am just a confused guy looking to buy a nice antique cameo for his
wife for Christmas adn am new to all this jewelry selection/quality
stuff. What should I look for in a good quality cameo and what price
range should i expect for a given size? What materials or designs are
better or more authentic/sought after? What advise do you have for me
about selecting jewelry over the internet? or in any other area
regarding this issue for that matter. How firm are the prices given by
sellers...are they typically inflated a certain percentage, expecting
some negotiating to take place?
I am assuming you are speaking of shell cameos as that is what most people
think of when talking about cameos.
The first thing you look for in a cameo is the carving. Sharp angles indicate
it is machine made and not particularly old. Naturally rounded features are
what you are looking for. High relief carvings are especially desireable. The
flecks of background color you may see in the actual carved figure are
desireable, not flaws. Any cracks or what some call "age lines" should lower
the value of the cameo. Settings are up to the taste of the individual. Cameos
vary widely in price depending on the carving, subject matter, age and the
metal set in (ie. silver, gold filled, 10K, 14K, 18K). As far as buying cameos
online, be sure that whoever you buy from has a return policy that you can live
with in case the pieces is not as represented. There are many fine, honest
jewelry dealers online, myself included. I have a few on my website and several
more that aren't on my website. If I can be of any help to you, let me know.