Cameo Brooches

One of the most highly coveted antique jewelry item and a valuable heirloom passed on from generation to generation are the cameo brooches. The legendary Queen Victoria of England has originally popularized these intricately designed brooches that are artistically created on top of an ornate setting that is highly regarded as a valuable piece. Most of the antique cameo brooches predominantly showcased the beauty of a woman’s profile, expertly carved from different materials. Among the popular choices are the Sardonyx shells that best set off the artistic craftsmanship of the hand-carved vintage English cameo brooch.

But behind its popularity and distinct beauty, it is quite surprising to know that cameo brooches were not primarily regarded as a decorative accessory for women. Truth be known, if you will diligently trace back history, these fashion pieces were actually worn more by men about 300 years ago in Egypt, way back even before the birth of Christ. Originally, hand carving in stone was used to record some significant events and to effectively communicate information, which made the art of cameos deeply entrenched in the history of man. Soon it evolved to become a cultural statement of family loyalty and faith, and possibly somewhere along the way the material eventually changed its meaning have been become more of a decorative piece more than anything else.

The production of a single cameo brooch would usually take a few hours or can last up to several days depending on the intricacy of the design. Sardonyx and Carnelian shell are among the most common materials used, as well as other gemstones that are soft enough to carve on. Since these cameo brooches are essentially works of art, it should be appropriately treated with proper maintenance care to effectively preserve its beauty. Among the common problem with caring for cameos is the tendency of dust to lodge in crevices and fissures.

What you can do it to clean your cameo brooch with a soft-bristled brush on a regular basis, so that dust will not set in and mar the beauty of the materials. As you proceed with dusting the brooch, make sure to pay attention to the deep ridges where most of the dusts are likely to accumulate. While you might simply find the presence of dusts annoying at best, it is also known to scratch the fine finish of your cameo – which means its doubly important to keep this type of accessory virtually dust free. If you have the mother of pearl varieties, you can simply give it a thorough cleaning using a mild soap and some warm water before drying it off with a soft cloth.

If you have closely scrutinized a came brooch and trace your finger along its finely carved lines, then you will truly understand that these tiny pieces of jewelry are indeed a miniature work of art. So whether a cameo is made of agate, sardonyx shell or mother of pearls, you can be sure to enjoy the unrivaled exquisite beauty through the years. One of the best sources of cameo brooches is from Torre del Greco, considered to be the cameo carving capital of the world.

So if you are seriously considering on investing on some timeless pieces of accessories, consider building a collection of cameo brooches and other cameo accessories that can never go out of style. You can even pass it to your children or simply give it as a memorable token to a loved one who will surely never fail to appreciate its unique and striking beauty. Cameo brooches can go quite well with any wardrobe and can be a great accent to any simple outfit of your choice.