Sardonix Cameo Ring Appraisal

Vintage Sardonix Shell Cameo Ring in Silver Setting

This is a classic oval cameo ring featuring a traditional female profile in left-facing orientation. The cameo is expertly carved from sardonix shell, displaying a high-relief white figure against a warm, cinnamon-orange or brownish background, characteristic of natural shell layers. The subject features detailed hair styling with discernible curls and a floral adornment, suggesting mid-20th-century craftsmanship. The cameo is housed in a decorative silver bezel setting with a twisted rope or cable border design that adds texture and vintage flair. The metal, identified as silver, shows a slight darkened patina in the recessed areas of the rope design, which enhances the visual depth. The band is a slender, polished silver hoop. While specific hallmarks are not visible from the front orientation, the construction is typical of Italian souvenir jewelry from the Pompeii or Naples region, likely dating from the 1960s to 1980s. The shell appears to be in good condition without visible 'crazing' or cracks when front-lit, and the carving remains crisp with little to no erosion of the delicate facial features. The overall craftsmanship represents a quality mass-market example of authentic Italian shell carving.