Cameo Jewelry Care
HOW TO CLEAN AND CARE FOR SHELL CAMEO JEWELRY
Women have worn carved cameo jewelry as a means of adorning their bodies for thousands of years. These lovely carved mementos have cast a spell over the wearers for centuries and continue to be popular today. Shell cameos, in particular, are very collectible and often a good investment. But how does one care for these lovely shell beauties, so that they continue to remain in wonderful condition?
Just as with all other styles of vintage jewelry, cameos need to be cared for by regular cleaning and good storage. For the general cleaning purpose, I use Sunshine polishing cloths, which have a special cleaning agent impregnated in them. These specially treated cloths are especially good for cameos set into sterling silver or genuine gold settings. The cloth will polish the metal, and make it bright and shiny.
The shell
cameo itself needs a bit of extra attention to keep it looking in great
shape. Since the surface of the cameo is carved and usually raised, it
can attract dirt. To clean the surface of the design, a Q tip or baby
toothbrush dipped into a mild detergent and
rubbed over it will remove traces of grime. Be sure to use plain water on
the Q tip to rinse off after cleaning. Never soak a shell cameo for longer
than a few seconds if you decide to dip. (and please stay away from
commercial cleaners - they are much too harsh for a delicate shell cameo.)
Cameos have special needs that other styles of vintage jewelry don't have, as well because of the shell material. Dryness, aging and the elements can all discolor or crack a shell cameo. Cameo jewelry should be stored in a clean, dry place. This will prevent damage and corrosion to the frame. Even gold frames can become tarnished because of the oxidation of the alloys in the metal. Careful storage also helps to prevent the shells from becoming chipped. Be sure to keep the cameo away from other pieces of jewelry which might have sharp edges which could harm the finish of the cameo itself.
Cameos are
particularly prone to damage from heat. So, an additional step is needed for
keeping your cameos in good condition. Once the cleaning is done, you
should use a fine oil, such as a mineral oil or baby oil applied sparingly
with a Q tip. Let this solution sit on the cameo overnight and then wipe off
any excess oil that remains. This process should be performed once or twice
a year.
Cameos also like to "breathe." Try not to store them in plastic bags or closed containers. Just sitting normally in a jewelry box is the best place for them, as long as the other jewelry pieces nearby are not sharp. Finally, be very careful of dropping them, since they are delicate and might chip or break. As with all other forms of jewelry, be sure to put make up and perfume on before you add the jewelry, since these products are harmful to all types of jewelry.
Cameos are
very desirable heirlooms, and are often considered an investment. With
a bit of care, you can insure that your cherished piece will be enjoyed for
many generations to come. One of the specialties of my main website,
Vintage Jewelry Lane, is cameos. I offer a wide range of cameos of all
styles and materials at very affordable prices. Please drop by
to have a look soon!
I try to offer accurate vintage jewelry information, but may make errors from time to time due to mistakes in research information.
