Cameo Brooch Value: How to Determine the Worth of Your Antique Cameo
Today we gonna talk about antique cameos and the best way to understand them for getting an authentic old one!
The Age of a Cameo Necklace or Brooch
Antique cameo brooches & pendants, rings and earrings are for sure the most wanted cameos: let's say "antique italian cameo jewelry" in general is the top of our selection.
The most famous websites show you antique cameo brooches, old rings and vintage dangle earrings: the word "victorian" is used more for identify a style more than the real age of a product. Every cameo in these websites is described as old, estate, victorian, Edwardian or things like this.
I don't wanna go too much in depth in this polemic but I can say that online there are more victorian and victorian cameo brooches than cameos done in these times .. it sounds me strange ... but you know I'm strange too :) so no much worries about.
Let's anyway call things with their proper name: and let's call plastic or FAKE what has nothing to deal with the real Italian art of cameo jewelry.
so ...
What is a cameo Brooch?
A pin is, in my opinion, the best way to mount a cameo because it enhances its characteristics.
In this post basically we'll understand how to give value to cameo brooches.
The cameo brooch is in fact the most classic way to wear this piece of jewelry because it allows the wearer and the viewer to appreciate its true characteristics and depth of engraving. At Eredi Jovon we have been in the cameo business since 1934, and over the years we have realized that it is very important that a piece of jewelry be versatile and that it is possible to use it in different ways. That is why we created the system that allows all our cameo brooches to be at the same time: brooch , pendant and clasp for your pearl necklace. Below is a short video of our patented system.
A cameo ring can be old, estate, victorian, Edwardian or things like this but it's hard to believe that you can have all of these featuring for 14.99 $ or less. Is this possible? You got the answer.
but let's back to us ... for sure you'd like to know the answer to these 3 different questions below
The 3 Main questions
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How to distinguish an antique one from a new
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How much is my antique cameo worth?
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How to age an antique cameo
Let's talk about 3 easy tricks to answer these questions
How to Distinguish an Antique Cameo
How can I distinguish a new cameo from an antique one?
How I can give a value to my antique cameo brooch, how I can evaluate my silver cameo ring?
I think I can easily answer to the first one with this post on my blog ... and as I often do I'll use images to enhance the concept cause, you know, images speak louder than words.
So let's reveal 3 simple tricks you should use ... but first of all, focus your eyes on the next image of cameo pendants for 10 seconds
1.....2 ......3 ... 4.5.6.7.8.9.10 .... (hey they were not 10 seconds) .... :)
Here the 3 tips to distinguish an old cameo:
If you'd like to go in deep with the long deal that these unique pieces of jewelry have with Italian tradition, in this post of our Blog we spoke about Cameo Brooch History
The conch shell Thickness
Shell is fundamental for a right appraisal
1)Usually the shell (on which the cameo is made) looks ticker than the one used for the new ones
Why this happen? Easy to answer: there was not pollution and that's why conch shells were better and thicker.
Basically the starting material was better and bigger.
The tridimensional effect must be impressive
2)The care for the details is extraordinary but not redundant, the cameo itself has more 3D effect looking like a sculpture rather than a over-curly woman
Just think about to a roman or a greek sculpture, think about Renaissance, think about Michelangelo's David, think about Canova's masterpieces.
The nose of the woman should be "a greek nose"
3)The woman represented is usually more real, not idealized and shows sometimes a greek profile (look at the nose)
This happen often but not always, so a "not greek nose" doesn't mean the cameo is new!
How much is old cameo jewelry worth ?
Let's talk about the Value of Cameo Jewelry
Every cameo is different and need to be looked like an unique artistic masterpiece: the tricks I gave you are basically main guidelines to start an appraisal in the best way.
Factors that Influence Cameo Brooch Value
- Age: The Cameo is new or old (it's Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco)?
- Craftsmanship: The cameo shows a lot of details?
- Subject: Does the cameo show a face or an intricate scene?
- Materials: Is the cameo made in sea shell, stone or coral?
- Conditions: is the cameo in perfect conditions?
- Setting is your cameo set in silver or gold?
Let's point out that "Antique Cameo Brooch doesn't necessarily mean beautiful piece of jewelry": there are only good cameos or bad cameos.
We need to say that, for sure, in the past times artist were more focused on creating unique pieces for a very selected clientele. This basically means more time on every single piece, and consequently more quality.
Coming back to my Family Business: in the '30 my grandpa was used to work more than me now but probably with less stress :) .
If the cameo shows an intricate job full of details it means the artist has spent more time on it (obviously he can spend time with success or not: I always say to my nephews that read a book is important but understand that book is even more).
Engraving intricate scenes is inherently more challenging, since the artist must maintain exact proportions throughout the piece, leaving very little room for error.
Finally, we need to talk about the material we use to carve a cameo. Making a mistake when engraving coral or ivory can lead to a hefty financial loss—just like a diamond cutter breaking a diamond while shaping it.
In this post we go in deep with the stones used for cameos, so you can have an idea of the materials that are used in Italian traditional engraving.
Naturally, we can’t overlook the importance of the mounting material. Is your cameo set in gold? With gold currently trading at nearly €100 per gram, you’re holding a truly valuable piece with a significant price tag.
In deep: Broken Cameos
Now let's talk about how conditions of the cameo affect its value.
Of course, any chip or crack in the shell or stone can significantly reduce your cameo’s value—although I actually have a couple of broken cameos in my own collection that are over 200 years old!
How to Date a Cameo Brooch?
ll say it in the fewest but perhaps most honest words: you need to be true experts—having seen countless cameos in your life and knowing exactly how to position every detail. Let me explain: my family and I have worked with these jewels for three generations, and my brother and I were literally born into it. We can share these insights because the knowledge was passed down to us by those who came before. Our stamp of authenticity and guarantee seal give you an undisputed assurance of quality.
How to care for your cameo brooch
To keep your cameo’s value intact over time—and even help it grow as an investment (especially if you invested in antique cameo brooches) —it’s crucial to keep it in perfect condition. The best way to do this is to store your cameo in the original box we provide with every purchase. Otherwise, friction against other jewelry can easily cause chips or scratches to your beautiful piece.
Store your cameo in a safe place inside its box, away from direct heat sources. Every now and then, rub the shell with a little olive oil to keep it from drying out and developing cracks or unwanted fluorescence (unlikely, but possible).
Eredi Jovon: Experts in Cameo Brooches
As I mentioned before, Alessio and I were born into the world of jewelry—we’ve been surrounded by cameos and coral since childhood because it’s been our family’s livelihood since 1934. Our grandfather Luciano was an engraver, and our father Bruno taught us the trade’s deepest secrets. Dad always used to say, for example, “Look at a cameo’s cheek.” Since cameos typically depict a woman in profile, the smoothness and depth of her cheek reveal the piece’s three‑dimensional craftsmanship—and, ultimately, the skill of the artist.
Our collection of modern and antique cameos is so vast that even we don’t know exactly how many pieces it includes. Every now and then, tucked away in some remote corner of the shop, we discover items that my father and grandfather crafted years ago and then set aside, waiting for the right customer.
Get an Appraisal from Eredi Jovon
You can contact Eredi Jovon for an expert appraisal of your cameo jewelry and benefit from the advice of ASSOCPORAL-certified specialists authorized to certify both coral and cameo pieces. An expert opinion will help you showcase and preserve the value of the antique cameo ring you inherited from your grandmother—or the one your family has lovingly passed down through generations as an endless story.
FAQ on Cameo Brooch Value
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Are cameo brooches worth money?
The value of a cameo can vary greatly depending on several factors like size, craftsmanship, materials, and age (the one we spoke at the beginning of this post) . Antique cameos—above all those created by renowned artisans, such as the pieces you’ll find at Eredi Jovon—can command significant value among collectors.
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How do I know if my cameo is valuable?
To give your cameo the right value, in brief, consider the quality of the carving, the type of shell or stone used, its age, and any signatures or hallmarks. We recommend consulting an antique jewelry expert (a person that really knows) or certified appraiser (ASSOCORAL is the Italian Certifier) for an accurate valuation.
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How to value a cameo brooch?
Valuing a cameo requires specific expertise and special certifications. An experienced jeweler like us at Eredi Jovon can assess your cameo (better if you bring us in the store in Venice) based on factors such as carving quality, materials, age, and condition. Visit our Venice shop asking for an appointment or contact us through our website for an appraisal through a webcall starting at €99.
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