Carved Shell Cameo Pendant, Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Necklace, Romantic Jewelry

This classical shell cameo features a woman with flowers in her hair and a bit of netting at the shoulder of her gown. She wears a gentle expression and probably would enjoy sitting and sipping tea.

Carved from helmet shell, the contrast between the shell layers is dramatic while the carving details are intimate and personal: the wisps of hair, the drape of fabric, the particular tilt of her chin. With this much detail in the carving, the silver frames, but doesn't compete with her.

This elegant pendant suspends from a handmade bail that will accommodate a variety of wearing options. 

Hallmarked Blue Piranha and stamped .925. The pendant measures 1½ inches (4.5 cm) long from the top of the bail to the bottom of the pendant, and ¾ inch (1.9 cm) wide. Weight is 6.5 grams.

Each pendant is available without a chain. If you would like to add a chain, several lengths and styles are available. Please indicate your preference at checkout. Every chain includes an extender and adjusts two inches longer than its stated length, so a 16" chain adjusts to 18". Chains are lightly oxidized to match the patina of the pendant.

Your purchase will arrive gift boxed, presented in a soft pouch with a story card.

Good for: a cherished keepsake that has a face and a personality. A birthday present for the woman who collects things with a past. A gift for the person who has always been drawn to cameos but never found quite the right one. Self-purchase for the woman who loves heirloom jewelry.

Questions? Please message me. I'm happy to help.

About cameos:

Cameos have been carved for thousands of years, falling in and out of fashion since ancient Greece, while the Victorian era gave them their biggest cultural high point.

Cameos are carved from shell but they can also be created from glass, hardstone (such as sardonyx), lava, vulcanite, and coral, as well as other materials. Hand-carving continues today, most famously in Italy, where the tradition is still very much alive. The cameos I work with came from an antique market, found loose and in varying condition. Some were chipped, but some were quietly extraordinary. Those are the ones I kept.

Helmet shell is found worldwide, and its contrasting coloration makes it ideal for carving cameos. It's become the standard material in shell cameos because of its relative softness (and wide distribution) compared to stone.