The rarest and most valuable cameos can range in price. The best way to determine their value is to research the materials used in their creation. This article will discuss the most common materials used to create cameos, such as Onyx, Chalcedony, and Carnelian. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of acquiring a truly valuable piece of jewelry. The following are some other materials that can be considered as rare, but are not necessarily the most valuable.
lava cameos
Lava cameos are muddy-colored rocks that have a “biscuit porcelain” luster. These rock carvings from the Mt. Vesuvius region typically range in color from off-white to yellowish-gray to black. They can be dyed any deeper color to add contrast. Historically, lava cameos were set in rings and bracelets, but were also occasionally used as brooches. Today, these pieces can fetch as much as $1,500 or $2,000.
While shell was the softer medium, lava was a more durable material. Later, the Empress Josephine of France began wearing shell cameos as everyday jewelry. Later, archaeologists discovered that lava cameos are extremely rare and valuable. Lava cameos from the 1800s are particularly rare and valuable. They are made of seven layers of colour. The only difference between these layers is the material.
Various types of cameos have different values. The rarest, most valuable, and most beautiful can cost over $40k. But if you have a limited budget, you can still buy beautiful and affordable cameos. The material, craftsmanship, and quality of the cameo will determine its value. Listed below are some of the most valuable lava cameos for sale. Once you have determined your budget and the condition of your cameo, start browsing for your new treasure!
Carnelian
Although Carnelian shell cameos are more popular, the rarest and most expensive are made of the sardonyx shell. The color contrast is stunning, with the white mid layer contrasting with the deep red or chocolate brown interior. Carnelian shell cameos are carved by master carvers in one particular area. Unlike most cameos, which are made in an assembly line fashion, each cameo is unique.
In the nineteenth century, cameos were usually carved in high relief and larger than in previous centuries. After 1850, the carved stone cameos became a common ornament in European homes. Their size was also an indication of their high demand, and the majority of them were carved in large sizes. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, as rare and valuable Carnelian cameos may be in bad condition.
The design of a Cornelian shell cameo is highly dependent on the type of shell. The shells of Sardonyx are less variable, and do not have the rises and falls that make Carnelian shells unique. The design of a Cornelian cameo is dependent on the arrangement of the raised layer in the shell. Large bumps are typically decorated with flower motifs. Large flat areas are ideal for profiles.
Onyx
Onyx are two of the rarest and most valuable kinds of cameo. Onyx has parallel bands while agate has curved bands in various colors. Both are valuable for their striking colors, but Onyx cameos are more expensive due to their rarity. Agate cameos may be yellowish white, while agate comes in various shades of cream or brown. Sardonyx cameos feature a white image on a darker brown bottom layer. This dark layer is exposed after the piece is carved out.
Onyxes are usually made from black and white chalcedony and can vary in size and shape. Black onyxes can also be found in nature with thick layers of color. Today’s solid black onyxes are actually a variety of dyed chalcedony. During the Victorian Grand Period, the stone was used as a mourning stone because it symbolized death and mourning. Although the stone’s value has decreased over the centuries, it has gained an air of somber folklore as a result.
A rare example of an Onyx cameo is a ring set with an 18th century pendant of the laureate bust of George II. The ring is in a closed bezel and fluted shank. Another example of a rare Onyx cameo is a ring set with a 3rd-2nd century BC Hellenistic onyx cameo of Ariadne wearing a wreath of ivy and berries.
Chalcedony
Collectors prize unique and unusual cameos, such as those of famous people. Among the rarest and most valuable cameos are portraits of individuals. A cameo of tennis player Helen Wills Moody from the 1930s is particularly sought-after, with features that are quite modern, such as her bobbed-wave hair, drop earrings, and flowing blouse and pea cap. Multicolored cameos, however, are especially sought-after, as the process of cutting away layers reveals patterns and gradations of color, which enhances the distinction of each piece.
There are several different types of chalcedony. The banded type, composed of alternating layers of sard and onyx, is the most desirable. Other types of banded chalcedony are made of agate and onyx. A talented cameo carver can begin with a sardonyx or agate shell, and then work in three different colors by creating various designs on the surface of the stone. Some cameos even feature contrasting colors, such as dark flowers with light hair. Rare cameos are often full-faced or depict scenes.
To determine a cameo’s value, buyers should hold it up to a light source. During inspection, look for signs of major cracks or chips. Carvings with three or four layers of color are especially valuable, and those with metamorphic images are even rarer. A cameo with a high price can cost anywhere from $2000 to over $35000. Antique cameos linked to important rulers or royalty are also worth much more than a generic, mass-produced replica. Antique cameos are available online.
Jasper
The most valuable cameos are made of hardstone, which includes agate, chalcedony, and jasper. They can also include chrysoprase, tiger’s eye, and banded agate. Jasper is the most common stone used in hardstone cameos, though some other types can be used, too. Banded agate is a multicolored stone.
Other types of shells are used as cameos. The common shell used for cameos is Cypraecassis rufa, which is up to six inches long. The upper layer of the shell is whitish, and the lower layer is rich orange-brown. Another very popular shell for carving cameos is Cassis madagascariensis, which is also called sardonyx. It is found in Caribbean waters.
Tiger’s eye
When purchasing a tiger’s eye cameo, there are many factors to consider. The most important is the cut. Although tiger’s eye is used in jewelry, it is also a versatile stone that is fashioned into spheres and other small carvings. A higher-value specimen may be completely red. A lesser-value specimen might be light blue, or hawks eye.
Rare and expensive tiger’s eye cameos can be extremely expensive. The most expensive and rarest varieties are often carved into amulets. They are used to boost self-confidence and reduce stress. These pieces are also commonly worn for social events or concerts where you need extra confidence. However, you should never buy a tiger’s eye cameo just because it looks cool. The healing powers of this stone are so potent that it may not be as powerful as it is thought to be.
The most expensive and rare cameos are made of crocidolite, which is a type of quartz that alters into a more translucent mineral. It is most often stained by iron. The stained variety is known as tiger’s eye, while the unstained one is known as Hawk’s eye. Sometimes, both colors are found in a tiger’s eye.
