CAMEO

When you hear the word cameo do you think of a lady in profile with flowers in her hair? Think again, as you will not believe what you can do with cameos today.

The origin of the cameo can be traced to ancient rock carving traditions, known as petroglyphs, which were used to record important events and to communicate information. The first cameos are believed to have come from Egypt in 300 BC. and were used as an amulet or storyboard depicting ethics and morals, your faith, or your loyalty to the monarch. Cameos were first carved from hard stones such as chalcedony, amethyst, or lapis and were in the intaglio style, carved into the stone. Traditionally worn



by men, these amulets were carved for rings as seals and to adorn breastplates and armor in battle. Fast-forward to Renaissance time, and Italy is the center of the art world. A scarcity of suitable carving material in Naples led to some gem carvers to cut beads in half and start carving on the domed surface. Then the artisans discovered the conch shell was plentiful and easy to carve. This is the peach or pink colored cameo that most of us are familiar with. At the same time, large agate deposits were being discovered near Idar-Oberstein in Germany, causing two-tone agate cameos to gain popularity.

The last 50 years has seen a rising demand for cameos. But these are not your grandmother's cameos.

Contemporary and fantasy themes abound in today's portraits, with the majority of them being agate cameos from Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers has found some unique free form and double-sided cameos from one of the most acclaimed gemstone cutting families in Idar-Oberstein. These gentlemen not only do some of the most breathtaking cameo carving seen today, but can also do amazingly accurate portraits of your family members (including the family pet). Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers can then frame your unique piece in our signature style; forever immortalizing your precious loved ones. You can also showcase your favorite sport in a pair of cufflinks or your company logo as a unique, and lets be honest, really fun way to advertise your company. We welcome you to stop by our salon and let us show you the amazing craftsmanship that is, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelry

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