Gems en Vogue II Italian Hand- Carved Shell Cameo Earrings w/ Omega BacksCapture the elegance and romance of a bygone era with this cameo pair. Ornately crafted with polished rhodium plated sterling silver and palladium with touches of 18K yellow vermeil, they add an artistic touch to your ensemble with two oval 16 x 12mm orange shell cameos and two round faceted cut 2mm orange sapphires. Each earring measures 1-3/8"L x 11/16"W and is secured by an omega backing.
The shell cameos are in claw settings and the sapphires are in bead settings. The total approximate sapphire weight is 0.08ct, both approximate. Complete the look with the coordinating pendant
J311520.
About Italian Shell Cameos
Cameos have been carved in stone since 600 BC but first appeared in shells in the 15th and 16th centuries. Shell cameos became vogue during the Renaissance period and during the Neo Classical period leading into the Victorian era. During the 20th century, cameos once again became popular and are now enjoying resurgence during the beginning of the 21st century. The two main types of shell used are the Conch shell and the Helmut shell. Today most of the Italian shells come from Madagascar and South Africa. While automation does exist, the majority of the cameos are still hand-carved.
Torrel del Greco, Italy has been producing carved shell cameos since the 17th century. It's located in the Campania region of southern Italy in the province of Naples. Italy is regarded as the best source for shell cameos.
Shell is a natural product of the sea and should be cared for as you would for a pearl. Do not use harsh chemical jewelry cleaners but instead opt for warm water with a mild soap.
About Palladium
This item is made of sterling palladium alloy. Palladium is a member of the platinum group of precious metals. By replacing a portion of the copper content used in standard sterling silver with palladium, our proprietary formula renders a precious metal with superior performance attributes. Sterling palladium is five times more tarnish resistant than standard sterling silver and has strength similar to that of 14K gold.
Vendor Warranty: 1 year material and workmanship warranty from date of purchase.
Part of the Gems en Vogue II Collection. Comes with a romance card. Gemstones may vary in color or pattern. Please allow for these natural variations. Avoid using chemical jewelry cleaners. All weights pertaining to diamond weights are minimum weights. Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone enhancements and special care requirements.