One of my favorite things to shop for in the store is, of course, jewelry. However, there is a certain collection of pieces that have really caught my eye. Cameos can be worn as rings, pins, pendants and more. Each and every piece is an unique, miniature work of art. Which is what makes them so intriguing.

Most cameos are typically carved into some form of shell however they can be made from coral, stone, lava, or glass. You can typically tell an original from a reproduction by checking the back for the artist signature! Cameos have been appreciated since ancient times and they were really popular in the roman period and revived during the renaissance era. However, they did go “out of fashion” in the 19th and 20th centuries.

During the 19th century, the cameo moved from just the hands of the wealthy to a wider audience. Increased wealth among the middle class in Europe created a demand, especially when travel began to increase to Italy. In Italy, the cameo industry increased in size in order to meet demand. However, many people do still wear them, me included, and you can find them in antique stores such as Gruene Antique Company!