Cameo Rings Vintage, Antique and Old
Handcrafted Antique Cameo Rings from Eredi Jovon
Let's talk a little bit about history and tell specifically about the values of a family that has been in the jewelry business for almost a hundred years, respecting the ancient Venetian tradition. Eredi Jovon is more than a store it is a symbol of Italy in the world because it has been creating handmade cameos since 1934 and is capable of creating unique jewelry made to measure for you.
Cameo Rings are undoubtedly the most visible piece of jewelry on you: as your hands move (especially if you are of Italian descent) the eyes of those who look at you will be enraptured by that particular little ring you wear on your finger. Whether you wear the classic cameo representing a female figure (the iconic “Grace of Venice”), an engraved flower, a three-dimensional rose, or a representation of a Renaissance painting, you will carry a little story with you and, why not, a topic of conversation with your friends. I will tell you more, you will not only bring with you your own history and taste for art but also the tradition of our family and the ancient art of goldsmithing in Venice.
Explore Our Collection of Antique Cameo Rings
How to recognize vintage cameo jewellery?
In this post on our blog, we explained the three simple rules for placing a value on a vintage cameo.
But let's get specific by talking about cameo rings in gold.
Cameo rings vintage usually feature very simple mounts (never get sidetracked by overly elaborate mounts that tend to distract you from the engraving itself, which remains, without a shadow of a doubt, the most important factor) that enhance the essentials and, in the end, the glyptic work itself.
Here the woman represented in the jewelry will be a real woman without too many frills and unnecessary details. Let's go in deep with the cameos for sale.
The model Flora Signet Ring is an example of different materials used for antique cameos.
Here is that the setting will be burnished silver as in the filigree models.
The antique cameo ring with filigree setting shows the old impallinato style.
Often different engraving techniques will be explored with bas-relief and carving and different materials such as agates, lava stone, sardonyx stone and carnelian typical glyptic works that you can see in museums such as the MAN in Naples.
A cameo signet ring was usually created to put a signature on a special document or letter!
An antique cameo is certainly an excellent investment and has special characteristics: it is simple, never redundant, and reminiscent of an ancient Roman sculpture.
Do you still make mens cameo ring with this kind of ancient and traditional tecnique?
Yes we proudly do thanks to Otello our oldest master cameo engraver that keep this rare art alive ... and kicking!
How do I know if my Victorian cameo ring is valuable?
The value and, consequently, the price of a cameo depends on the type of shell or stone used, its age, the skill of the engraver, its size, and its general condition (if the cameo is broken, its value drops dramatically). For an accurate appraisal, we always recommend that you consult only a cameo expert or jeweler (preferably Eredi Jovon).
Materials and Styles
But what is a cameo?
Let's now talk about the styles and materials that Eredi Jovon offers for its antique cameo rings.
Styles
The Venetian rope is undoubtedly the most traditional style of jewelry from the Serenissima. The elegant gold weave is reminiscent of the marine ropes so dear to the maritime republic and brings to mind distant times and voyages to lands yet to be explored. "Marco Polo Docet".
We then move on to more minimalist styles so dear to Art Nouveau or more elaborate styles such as Victorian and Art Deco.
How do you tell the age of an antique cameo necklace or a vintage cameo brooch ?
Determining the age of a gold cameo requires experience and knowledge; it is not something that can be explained in a tutorial. Carefully observe the style of the engraving, the type of setting, the materials used, and any signatures or marks, and take note of anything you consider unusual or unique. For an accurate dating, it is advisable to consult a cameo expert, someone who works with them every day, such as a specialized jeweler like Eredi Jovon.
Subjects Portraits in the Cameos
Depending on the period, different types of subjects can be found engraved in the cameo. These range from ladies clearly inspired by the Victorian era to bucolic and mythological scenes (Venus, Medusa, Poseidon, Cupid and Psyche, Persephone, Spring) inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, so dear to 18th-century Neoclassicism with its renewed interest in antiquity.
Materials used for cameos and mountings
Ancient cameos were also made from hard stones such as carnelian and agate. Shells only appeared in the workshops of Torresi artisans from the 19th century onwards. The mountings may be made of low-carat gold or even poor materials such as princisbecco and vermeil. However, silver mountings (more often 800% than 925%) are not uncommon, even in their burnished version.
Are vintage cameo necklaces or antique rings with cameos worth anything?
As always, the correct answer is... it depends! Let's analyze a cameo for sale at Eredi Jovon
For example to be old a silver cameo ring should be marked with 800% mark since 925% seal is barely new.
Victorian cameo brooches for example can be worth a lot, especially if they're made of high-quality materials and are well preserved. Since the 1980s, it's also become important whether the cameo is signed by the engraver and how well-known they are. The Victorian and Art Nouveau periods are particularly popular with collectors.
Why Choose an Eredi Jovon Antique Cameo Ring?
But why should I buy my antique cameo ring from Eredi Jovon?
Because my family has been working in this specific field of jewelry since 1934. We have had the same store for almost a hundred years and can say that we have recognized experience in the sector: we are part of ASSOCORAL (the Italian cameo association) and Marco is one of the very few certifiers qualified to appraise corals and cameos. Our family is often invited to write for trade magazines and participate in television programs that discuss authentic Italian-made products. In short, the Jovon family is a guarantee in the world of cameos!
Discover the perfect antique cameo ring for you
Browse the jewelry in our catalog and let yourself be captivated by the ancient charm of cameo art.
Which are the antique cameos for sale?
At Eredi Jovon we're we'll never tell you that a blue cameo ring is antique, blue cameos are in fact done only after the '80!
You will find classic rings with ladies, rare and unique materials such as lava stone, strombus gigas shell, and carnelian stone.
You will find the antique signet ring so dear to our ancient Roman ancestors and, if you wish, we can also customize it to your liking using your photo, your family crest, or your noble seal that has been handed down for generations. Mamma Gabriella, Marco, and Alessio are always ready to suggest the perfect antique cameo ring for you!
