| of us assume that the classic cameo design | | | | trained eye. Collectors can identify glass cameos |
| originates during the time of Queen Victoria when | | | | by looking on the back of the piece for the |
| the jewelry was most popular. However, | | | | appearance of mold marks or ridges. Spotting the |
| examples of the cameo design have been found | | | | cheap pieces is a critical component of profitable |
| in carved agate jewelry dating all the way back | | | | cameo collecting. |
| to around 300 b.c. Some older, vintage cameos | | | | Molded cameos tend to be overvalued while the |
| are worth hundreds on the market today while | | | | carved pieces can be found drastically |
| there are also plastic pieces that are only worth a | | | | under-priced in flea markets and online auction |
| fraction of that amount. | | | | sites. The great diversity of materials used in |
| Buying valuable pieces that will appreciate in value | | | | creating carved cameos means collectors have a |
| boils down to knowing how to spot the hidden | | | | lot of things to look for when trying to identify a |
| gems in flea markets and online auctions. Cheap | | | | specific piece. |
| knock-offs will be made from inexpensive | | | | The cheaper plastic versions can be spotted upon |
| materials while the better pieces will be made out | | | | close inspection of the portrait and will feature |
| of better materials like ivory or agate. Those | | | | few precise lines and poor detail. Abalone and |
| crafted using plastic and glass should be avoided | | | | mother of pearl are other natural substances |
| but try to look for any crafted using: | | | | used to create valuable cameos and can be |
| Ivory | | | | separated from their plastic imitators by a higher |
| Wood | | | | degree of detailing, and a thick flat back. The |
| Abalone | | | | infamous "two-toned" effect common to many of |
| Shells | | | | the most prized cameos is often found in pieces |
| Coral | | | | made from agate so you have to be careful |
| Bone | | | | about rushing to judgment! |
| Problems in the identification process arise | | | | Because hard stones are more difficult to shape |
| because plastic imitations are out there and they | | | | and carve than substances like shell or even |
| have purposely been designed to imitate the | | | | agate, they will tend to be the most valuable |
| natural, more valuable materials. Typically, the best | | | | cameos of all. The best and simplest way to |
| and most valuable pieces are carved while your | | | | identify an authentic stone cameo is to pay close |
| cheaper imitations will tend to be molded. The | | | | attention to the space between the back of the |
| really cheap molded pieces will be shiny and easy | | | | portrait and the flat plaque. What will be present |
| to spot. Despite being exceedingly rare, there are | | | | on a stone piece is a slightly concave nature to |
| a few known designs featuring molds using natural | | | | the back of the portrait itself. If you do happen |
| substances like ivory. | | | | to find a stone piece at a flea market or online |
| Despite the few exceptions, most molded pieces | | | | auction be sure to grab it up because it is sure to |
| are not worth very much money so you want to | | | | appreciate in value. But if it turns out to be some |
| avoid them where possible. Most of us are fooled | | | | carved imitation—just walk away because it |
| occasionally by a really high quality imitation shell | | | | will never appreciate in value no matter how long |
| but molded imitators can be identified by the | | | | you own it! |