Newly Updated and Expanded Critical and up-to-the-minute information for the novice, advanced collector, jewelry dealer, curator and appraiser—for all who buy and sell cameos, or who are just fascinated by them. Antiques Roadshow Book Club Selection Since ancient times, cameo making has allowed artists of every era to capture and reflect on the history, literature and lore of their culture. Today, the allure of finely carved cameos is drawing a new generation of both savvy collectors and gifted artists who are captivated by their transcendental elegance. This first and only comprehensive reference guide offers valuable information on: Where to successfully hunt for cameos How to separate old from new, imitation and newer synthetic materials from original shell and stone cameos How to differentiate between ultrasonically produced and hand-carved cameos Richly illustrated with many new cameo photographs, this new edition will facilitate the recognition and evaluation of quality in cameos and increase your confidence in buying and selling cameos with: Key factors for defining value Information on how to buy cameos from retailers and antique dealers, via the Internet or at auction A clear explanation of The MasterValuer Program of Quality Ranking that serves as a vital guide for use when evaluating cameos An extensive review of outstanding contemporary cameo artists throughout the world, their style, subject matter, unique and identifiable techniques, contact information ... and more

Today, the allure of finely carved cameos is drawing a new generation of both savvy collectors and gifted artists who are captivated by their transcendental elegance. This book offers critical information for the novice, advanced collector, jewelry dealer, curator and appraiser--for all who buy and sell cameos, or who are just fascinated by them.

Newly revised & expanded, Cameos Old & New, 2nd Edition meets the rising demand for information about collecting, appraising, buying, & selling cameos. From ancient times to the present, cameos have captivated artists as a unique medium in which to capture & reflect the history, literature, & legends of every age. And today, the allure of the cameo is attracting a new generation of collectors, connoisseurs, artists, & appraisers fascinated by their multidimensional beauty. This new edition of Cameos Old & New provides much new information & 61 new cameo photographs designed to enable the collector, appraiser, dealer, or interested buyer to recognize & evaluate quality & value in cameos, including: * Key factors affecting the value of a cameo * A guide to cameos sold at auction, including photographs & prices * How to buy cameos from the retail jeweler, at auction, or through an antique dealer * Cameo artists today, & how they are keeping the art of cameo cutting alive * And more...

Newly updated and expanded, Diamonds gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell—or simply enjoy—diamonds with confidence and knowledge. Whether you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, anniversary, to commemorate a special moment or for personal pleasure, today it is more important than ever to understand what you are buying. There are new shapes and cuts, fancy colors, high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds. There are new ways to buy—such as Internet auctions. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. Practical, comprehensive and easy to understand, this book offers in depth all the information you need to buy sparkling diamonds with confidence, including: What is a diamond? An in-depth look at factors affecting differences in quality and cost. Diamond grading reports—why all the information is important, and what it tells you. How to compare prices. How to spot differences in stones that may appear to be the same quality. How to protect yourself from misrepresentation. Questions to ask when buying any diamond. What to get in writing. How to get what you want within your budget. Important information about buying on the Internet ... and much more! Written by an “insider,” this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial diamond bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their money and enjoy what they have purchased.

Learn Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals NORTHEAST Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Indiana Illinois Maine Massachusetts Maryland Michigan New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin Whether you’re digging for the first time or are an experienced rockhound or “prospector,” with a simple rock hammer and a little luck, you too can strike it rich ... or at the very least, have fun trying. This guide offers you easy-to-use information on the ins and outs of “fee dig” mining, complete with locations, costs, tips on technique, entertaining legends and important information on everything from safety kits to the location of the nearest restrooms. Included are resources for use in identifying your finds, exploring the lapidary arts, and further pursuing an exciting—and possibly profitable—hobby. Equipment and Clothing: What you need and where to find it (or how to make it yourself). Mining Techniques: Step-by-step instructions on panning for gold, sluicing for gems and other methods. Gem and Mineral Sites: Directions and maps, hours, fees and equipment needed. Also includes info on guide services, local camping facilities and more. Museums and Mine Tours: Where to visit commercial and historical mines, as well as museums with exhibits of gems and minerals (for help in learning what to look for). Special Events and Tourist Information: Listings of regional events involving gems and minerals, and sources of general travel and tourism information for every state. Other Features: Where to find your birthstone ... your anniversary stone ... your zodiac stone; Index by State; Index by Gem/Mineral; U.S. State Gems & Minerals Chart; and more!

Newly updated and expanded, COLORED GEMSTONES gives you all the information you need to buy, collect, sell— or simply enjoy—sapphires, emeralds, rubies and other colored gemstones with confidence and knowledge. With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts and new ways to buy gems—such as Internet auctions and TV shopping—there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect colored gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. Lack of information, error or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewelry confusing, intimidating, overwhelming and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. This practical, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide provides all the information you need in order to know what to look for, and what to look out for, including: What qualifies as a “gemstone”? How to evaluate color—and its impact on price. Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem ... and new glass-gemstone compositions. Colored gemstone synthesis and treatment. What to ask when buying the stone. What to get in writing. How to get what you want within your budget. Price guides for popular gems, opals and synthetic stones. Important information about buying on the Internet. ... and much more! Written by an “insider,” this easy-to-read guide is the “unofficial colored gemstone bible” for anyone who wants to get the most for their moneyand enjoy what they have purchased.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii 1 THE HISTORY AND ROMANCE OF THE GLYPTIC ARTS THE EARLIEST ENGRAVINGS 3 CLASSICAL GREECE: FROM SCARABOID TO CAMEO 6 ROMAN CAMEOS 11 THE DARK AND MIDDLE AGES 19 THE RENAISSANCE AND LATER 23 2 THE SUBJECTS: MYTHS, LEGENDS, HISTORICAL EVENTS, AND STORIES BEHIND THE)EWELS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 33 SYMBOLS 42 vii PORTRAITS 44 HISTORICAL EVENTS AND STORIES BEHIND THE ]EWELS 45 3 CAMEO PRODUCTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES 50 MATERIALS 60 CARVING CENTERS AND RENOWNED CARVERS 80 4 DISTINGUISHING üLD AND NEWCAMEOS CIRCA-DATING CAMEOS 92 DETECTING CAMEO FAKES, FRAUDS, AND FORGERIES 113 5 MODIFIED CAMEOS AND CAMEO IMITATORS GLASS CAMEOS 127 CAMEO GLASS 129 TASSIE GLASS 131 WEDGWOOD 132 SULPHIDES 135 CONTENTS viii PLASTIC CAMEOS 135 CAMEO W AX PORTRAITS 136 PLASTER OF PARIS AND SULPHUR CASTS 138 6 ApPRECIATING CAMEOS AS ART ELEMENTS OF V ALUE 149 7 BUILDINGA CAMEO COLLECTION BUYING AND SELLING CAMEOS 162 CAMEOS AS INVESTMENT GEMS 169 CARE AND CONSERVATION OF CAMEOS 170 8 GREAT AND HISTORIC COLLECTIONS 175 ApPENDIX 193 Auctions 193 Glyptic-Arts Booksellers 194 CONTENTS ix Appraisal Associations 194 Retail Sources for Cameos in the Uni ted States 194 CHRONOLOGY OF ENGRAVED STONES AND CAMEOS IN EUROPE 196 GLOSSARY OF GLypTIc-ART AND ]EWELRY TERMS 199 SUGGESTED READINGS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 205 INDEX 210 CONTENTS x p r e a c e f In several years of studying the cameo and its development, I have interviewed connoisseurs and collectors throughout the United States,