Queen Conch Cameo Pendant, 1920s Flapper, Sterling Silver, Antique Shell Jewelry, Romantic Gift, Repurposed

The shape of this cameo is part of its story. The bottom edge is flat rather than curved, giving the oval an arch or window-like silhouette. The woman wears a headband with a feather tucked into her hair, details that point clearly toward the 1920s. The carving is in high relief, the figure standing away from the near-white queen conch surface with real depth. The soft pink blush of the shell comes through at the background, giving the piece warmth despite its pale coloring.

The setting is a rope border bezel shaped to follow the cameo's irregular outline, with a simple rounded bail.

Hallmarked Blue Piranha, .925. Dimensions: 1 inch (2.5 cm) long from top of bail to bottom of pendant; 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide. Weight: 4.1 grams.

Each pendant is available without a chain, so you may use your own if you prefer. If you want to add a chain, I offer different lengths and styles. Every chain comes with a 2-inch extender, so you can vary the length. Please choose your chain from the options at checkout.

Good for: the friend who would have been a flapper if the timing had worked out. For the person who reads about the Jazz Age the way other people follow fashion weeks. For the jewelry lover who has a weakness for things that are small, old, and slightly unusual.

Your purchase arrives gift boxed, in a soft pouch with a story card.

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.

Queen conchs are found in the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, and Bermuda. They're currently listed as endangered and are protected in certain areas. They are currently still harvested and carved, though highly regulated - and in some places, prohibited entirely - due to their environmental status.