Shell
During the Greco-Roman empires, Cameo engravings on shell enjoyed a golden age but fell out of fashion until the art was revived during the Renaissance. Most shell carvers favor a particular species of shell, one that has a white or pale surface layer and a red to brown inner layer. These two distinct layers allow for the standing out of the figures in relief. These small relief sculptures have changed little over the centuries and are fashioned into bracelets, earrings, pendants and brooches.

In the cameo-carving areas of Italy, artisans train from as early as the age of 13 to produce these delicate works. Nowadays, some manufacturers use automated lasers to carve cameos but are unable to command the high prices of hand-carved pieces when using this method.