posted on September 3, 2005 09:56:29 PM new
I have a couple pieces of cameo jewelry from elderly aunt. The pendant "feels" right--not smooth but has real cut-like edges in the carving. The ring cameo is very smooth and feels cheesy. They don't match.
Are my instincts right about these items? How can you tell a real, carved cameo from a cheap one?
posted on September 4, 2005 06:22:15 AM new
The cheap ones are molded resin,the real ones are carved from shell.
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Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on September 4, 2005 07:32:56 AM new
You can always use the pin test like you can with ivory - you heat up the pin as hot as you can in a flame and try to prick the item. If it's resin, it should melt the item enough to slide in just a bit or leave a mark.
It wouldn't hurt the shell or ivory.
You are welcome to post pics - maybe we can tell something about them. I've just sold off a cameo collection so I researched them and handled them a bit lately - although I'm far from an expert on them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 4, 2005 06:22:04 PM new
It looks like shell to me...what are the markings on the back ? Looks like 14K ? Also make sure you hold it up to a light to see if it has any cracks or stress marks....That will cut into the value. Beautiful piece.
posted on September 4, 2005 06:50:12 PM new
may be not,what kind of shell is coral like on the back and ivory and grey in the front??
The details are so perfect,it could be molded.
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posted on September 4, 2005 07:07:01 PM new
The back looks right, but the front does look too perfect as mentioned. But I wonder what a molded piece would be doing in a 14K setting? On the other hand, the setting looks very new.
It is really beautiful either way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 4, 2005 07:23:37 PM new
i dont know of any shell which turn ivory like that??
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posted on September 4, 2005 07:39:35 PM new
I sold a pink angel skin about 8 months ago that was just as pink on the back and bright white with just a tad of pink in it around the hair area. I would take it to a antique dealer or a jeweler as they would know on the spot.Hard to tell from a photo. Edited to add this link for cameos
http://www.cameoheaven.com/tutorial.html
[ edited by toasted36 on Sep 4, 2005 07:46 PM ]
posted on September 4, 2005 07:51:52 PM new
Thanks, everybody. Wow, it does look like "14K," doesn't it! I struggled and struggled with that mark and decided it was just scratching, but now that I see it big, it's a different story.
I appreciate everybody's help. I'm putting this on soon and won't have a jeweler here in the mountains to guide me, so I'll list it with the usual caveats.
The cameo itself doesn't feel molded at all. It has sharp little edges here and there; that's why I was thinking it may be the genuine article.
posted on September 4, 2005 08:07:42 PM new
you should really consult a jeweler before listing on ebay,what if this is a master piece and you end up selling it for 9.99??
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Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
Caroline 
