Italian Cameo Brooches, pendants and lockets
Shell cameo brooches and pendant from Italy: cameo jewelry is in sterling silver or Gold for factory or sale prices and with italian made certificate. Pin, necklace and lockets are proudly handmade by Eredi Jovon in Venice that offers the best selection of antique genuine real cameos hand carved with love and using the traditional intaglio cameo techniques. Frame and set in yellow gold or white silver are as well handcraft to obtain one of the kind conch-shell cameo portrait directly from the producer at fair prices. Since 1934 EREDI JOVON sale point is located on the Rialto bridge in Venice where you can still meet the owner GABRIELLA and her sons Marco and Alessio. They'll be glad to show you the Museum pieces that made this family so famous for cameos. "I'll be happy to show you the handmade job that our grandfather and our father taught us respectful of italian tradition for 3 generations" (Marco Jovon)
Discover Our Collection of Antique Cameo Necklaces
Antique cameo necklaces have special characteristics that make them unique and unrepeatable, and often valuable as an investment for the future:
1- A cameo necklace if it is truly antique is definitely hand-engraved. In the past there were no machines capable of imitating these jewels.
2- The materials and raw materials (speaking mainly of shells, corals and stones) certainly were of higher quality than today. Pollution has unfortunately taken its toll.
3- Cameos (like all jewelry by the way) were made for a close circle of people: as we have repeatedly said time and patience are the main gifts for a valuable cameo.
What does a cameo necklace symbolize?
Usually a vintage cameo represents a woman's face seen from the side. But it is a simplistic definition because the cameo over the years from being a truthful portrait has become an ideal iconography of the beautiful and sophisticated. So not only women's faces but complex scenes and stylistic daring, all the way to abstract art in modern times.
What Eredi Jovon offers in its Cameo collection
Our workshop, which has specialized in the ancient art of cameo making for three generations now, offers various types of cameos and types of carving.
1 - we start from traditional gold cameo necklace in shell to more modern jewelry concepts such as those created on blue agate in white silver.
Worth of note are Eredi Jovon blue agate cameo rings set in silver that can easily match your modern everyday outfit.
2 - There is certainly no shortage of jewelry engraved on coral, malachite, turquoise, lapis and a few truly collectible pieces in ivory.
3-The techniques used are cameo and carving techniques for our incredible antique-flavored signet rings reminiscent of our Ancient Roman ancestors.
4 - The materials for the mounts range from gold (18 or 9 kt) to more affordable workmanships such as white silver or techniques that have now almost disappeared such as filigree and the very rare fire burnishing process (invented in the Renaissance during the struggles between Seigniories)
The Collectible Cameos
Last but not least, at Eredi Jovon you will also find collectible cameos engraved by the most famous Italian masters who have tried their hand over time at creating the classic face and miniature reproduction of the most important works of art such as Caravaggio's "Bacchus," Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper," or Botticelli's "La Primavera."
We offer as well cameo earrings with unusual materials like coral and Corallina shell (Strombus Gigas).
Are old cameos worth anything?
Answer: Antique cameos don’t all cost the same. Their value depends on age, condition, the artist that carved them, the shell or stone, and, at the end, the story they carry. When a piece was cut by a celebrated artisan (like Master Pasquale Ottaviano) or has a past you can recognize in the opera, it naturally speaks louder to collectors (and to the heart), and its price, naturally, follows.
How to tell if a cameo is authentic?
An authentic cameo features a detailed, three-dimensional engraving, handcrafted on a natural shell.
Be wary of cameos with flat or fuzzy engravings, made on plastic or resin, and oddly rich mounts for such a low price. To be sure of authenticity, trust experienced jewelers like Eredi Jovon, who guarantee the quality and provenance of their cameos.
History of Antique Cameos
From the Hellenistic world, through Rome and into the Renaissance, the cameo stone originated as a micro-relief sculpture preferably on two-color materials, celebrating mythological figures and emperors. Rome makes it a status symbol; in the Middle Ages it survives in the liturgical sphere. With the Neoclassical (and the rediscovery of Pompeii) Naples and Torre del Greco perfect shell engraving. The Victorian nineteenth century decreed its bourgeois fashion: female profiles, allegories, mythological scenes. In the twentieth century, between Art Nouveau and Deco, the style changes but the idea of the narrative jewel remains. Today the antique cameo embodies traditional Italian craftsmanship, continuing to tell personal stories to be passed from generation to generation.
Peculiarities of each historical period—and where to see examples
The Roman cameo you will be able to see at MAN in Naples, the Renaissance cameo will be on view at Palazzo tè in Mantua. A Neoclassical gold cameo will immortalize a Trojan hero or mythological figures such as Medusa and Flora. A Victorian cameo will show a portrait of a noblewoman. An Art Deco cameo will make you fall in love because of the detail of the scenes depicted.
Authenticity and Expertise
So new or old, what is a cameo?
Unfortunately, today, the word vintage is abused by passing off as old and handmade what is not old. Buying from Eredi Jovon is a guarantee of buying a certified and authentic product. Our company is affiliated with ASSOCORAL and is officially authorized to issue certificates for red coral and cameos. This allows us to provide you with high quality products while spending the right price because you will always have a guarantee for every purchase.
How can you tell if a cameo is an antique?
Spotting a real antique cameo takes a trained eye. Look at the carving style, the setting, tiny signs of wear, and the natural patina. If your gut says “this might be old,” let a qualified jeweler or antiques specialist confirm it—worth the peace of mind.
In this post of our Blog we spoke how to age and appraise antique cameos.
Made in Italy Craftsmanship
Since 1934, that is, for over three generations, Eredi Jovon has been committed to selling and explaining the ancient art of cameo making.
Cameo Rings, earrings, pendant and brooches are actually our flagship business.
We would like to reiterate that for each of our jewelry pieces there are two artists: the person who engraves the cameo and the person who manually creates and finishes the mount around it making it itself a unique and inimitable piece.
All of our metals come from identifiable sources and are traced to the source for sustainable jewelry that respects the environment and work rules.
Explore Similar Antique Cameo Jewelry
Eredi Jovon thanks to its hundred years of experience offers other types of antique cameos.
1 - Antique cameo brooches are definitely the pride of our store.
2 - Also noteworthy are the Victorian-era cameo brooches
3 - Vintage brooches also find ample space in our cameo collection.
4 - There is also no shortage of antique rings with cameos and old-fashioned earrings in the collection.
Why Choose Eredi Jovon?
Choosing Eredi Jovon for a cameo is an easy choice-I would say it's almost a rational choice if I didn't know that love for what we do is the driving force behind our work.
but let's get into the specifics of the most frequently asked questions of why you should trust us.
1 - Our return policies are easy, intuitive, and honest: You have the right to return items to us (you will only have to pay the costs incurred) and receive a refund.
2 - Each product comes with a certificate of guarantee that certifies its authenticity.
3 - Customer satisfaction is crucial to us and we answer your questions via email, chat (24H on 24H) and phone every day
