Shell Cameos

The art of engraving dates back to ancient Greek, when carvings were made on stone. During the Renaissance, with the first examples on shell, the art of cameo reached its highest peak. An old local legend tells that a man in love, away from his wife for two years, started to engrave the lover’s profile.
Cameo can be engraved both on Carnelian shell and Sardonyx shell.
Carnelian shell (Cypraecassis Rufa) is distinguished by a red-to-orange base and a cream-coloured surface. Sardonyx shell (Cassis Madagascariensis) is characterised by the contrast between the clear, white-to-cream surface and the deep brown inner layer.