Carving cameos in onyxes to just the right depth to reach desired colors is very challenging, especially when the stones have very thin color layers. In this sardonyx cameo from the 18th century, the carver cut through the red layer on some of the lion’s tail and rear leg. Although not the case in this piece, dyes could be used to match the color of exposed areas to the desired layer. 17.1 x 25.5 mm, Italian. The Milton Weil Collection, 1939. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain. (Cropped to show detail).
Translucent Orange Chalcedony Carved in Other from Italy
Carving cameos in onyxes to just the right depth to reach desired colors is very challenging, especially when the stones have very thin color layers. In this sardonyx cameo from the 18th century, the carver cut through the red layer on some of the lion's tail and rear leg. Although not the case in this piece, dyes could be used to match the color of exposed areas to the desired layer. 17.1 x 25.5 mm, Italian. The Milton Weil Collection, 1939. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain. (Cropped to show detail).
Article: Onyx Properties, Varieties, and Jewelry Information
Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art
| Gemstone | Quartz, Chalcedony, Onyx |
| Natural or man made | Natural |
| Origin | Italy |
| Height | 17.1 |
| Width | 25.5 |
| Jewelry type | Other |
| Gem State | Carved |
| Color | Orange, White |
| Transparency | Translucent |
| Multi-color | Bi-color |