Seven Secrets of Shell Cameo Care

Are you the proud owner of a lovely piece of shell cameo jewelry?  That’s wonderful!  Do you know how to take care of it?

Here are seven things you must know if you own a shell cameo:

1.  Keep your shell cameo out of direct sunlight. Light will fade a cameo – I found out the hard way.  I kept my first wire-sculpted cameo on my workbench for about six months as a reminder of how far I’d come skill-wise.  One day, I looked at the cameo – really looked at it – and realized, to my horror, that the color had faded badly.

2.  Store your shell cameo in a closed jewelry box that has a velvet or flocked surface.  Keep it away from other jewelry to avoid scratching.  Don’t place it on that fluffy cotton lining found in gift boxes – the cotton will wick away precious moisture, making your cameo brittle.

3.  Take care not to drop your shell cameo. It can break.  Enough said.

4.  Dust your shell cameo periodically with a soft brush, such as a clean makeup brush. Dust can scratch the surface of the cameo.

5.  Twice a year, apply a generous amount of baby oil or mineral oil to the shell cameo, and allow to soak in overnight.  Next day, wipe off the excess with a soft cloth.  Avoid using colored oils such as olive oil – your cameo will be stained yellow.

6.  You may clean your shell cameo when needed, using a soft-bristle or baby toothbrush, and Woolite™ or non-abrasive toothpaste (I prefer toothpaste).  Brush gently, then rinse with warm water and dry carefully.

7. NEVER, EVER use a commercial jewelry cleaner on your shell cameo! Don’t even think about it. It will etch and erode the surface, and make the cameo dry, brittle, and breakage-prone.

Bonus: If your shell cameo does break, it may not be the end of the world.  Consult a professional jeweler – s/he may be able to repair it.  A repair may involve glue.  Get the best information you can so you can decide how, or whether, to proceed with a repair.