Price Guide / Frequently Asked Questions
Some inquiries will not be covered by my price guide. Unset stones, cameo rings, gemstone carvings, wildlife carvings, intaglios, etc. Send your inquiry for an estimate. All prices are in USD.
Gemstone Cameos
My cameos are carved by hand using custom made steel points, charged with diamond grit. Large cameos can take a week to carve. They are NOT laser engraved!
Contact Gareth Eckley
Use my Send an Inquiry Form to upload your photos. We can book a Call. Talking by phone or video chat is the best way to connect.
Order Process
My typical Cameo project takes from 6 - 8 weeks. More complex jewelry projects may take longer. Rush orders may be possible.
- Gemstone Carving
- $1k - 7k
per - Aquamarine, Amethyst +
- Lapis, Opal, Layer Agate +
- Wildlife carvings
- Flowers, Nature
- Celtic Designs
- Gold 14kt Cameos
- $2.9k - 5.0k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Diamonds, Gems, Pearls
- Hand Engraving
- Lockets +$600
- Necklace Chain by Quote
- 18kt Gold or Platinum
- $4.5k - 6.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Diamonds, Gems, Pearls
- Hand Engraving
- Lockets + $700
- Necklace Chain by Quote
- Redesign Your Jewelry
- $5k
per - Remake Your Old Jewelry
- Use Your Gemstones and Gold
- A Fresh, modern design
- Add Diamonds to Accent Your Gems
- Fall in Love with your Jewels Again
- Smaller Cameos - 14kt
- $2.9k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 30 x 22mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Medium Size - 14kt
- $3.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 35 x 25 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Standard Size - 14kt
- $4.0k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 40 x 30 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Larger Cameo - 14kt
- $4.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 45 x 35 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Largest Cameo - 14kt
- $5.0k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 50 x 40 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Smaller Cameos - 18kt
- $4.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 30 x 22mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Medium Size - 18kt
- $5.0k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 35 x 25 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Standard Size - 18kt
- $5.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 40 x 30 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Larger Cameo - 18kt
- $6.0k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 45 x 35 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Largest Cameo - 18kt
- $6.5k
per - Gemstone Cameo
- Size: 50 x 40 mm
- Oval or Rectangle
- Pearls, Gems, +
- Diamonds +
- Hand Engraving
- Necklace Chain +
- Premium Jewelry Package
- $10k
per - Custom Jewelry design project
- Accents of Diamonds, Precious Gems, Pearls
- Gold 18kt or Platinum
- Necklace chain with custom-made clasp
- A video of the making of your jewel
- Fly to your city in North America +$2000
- Personal visit to anywhere in the world +$4000
- Priority over regular orders
- +
- +
- +
- Luxury Jewelry Package
- $20k
per - Custom Jewelry design projects
- Large amount of Diamonds, Precious Gems, Pearls
- Suite of Jewelry
- Up to 3 matching Jewels
- Gold 18kt or Platinum
- Handmade necklace chain with custom-made clasp
- A video of the making of your jewel
- Personal visit to anywhere in the World
- In-person design interview
- Delivery in person
- +
- Ultimate Jewelry Package
- $50k
per - Complex Jewelry Design project
- Portraits of your Whole Family
- Suite of Jewels
- Matching Ring, Necklace, Bracelet, Earrings, etc
- Generous content of Diamonds, Precious Gems, Pearls
- Gold 18kt or Platinum
- Handmade necklace chain with custom-made clasp
- A video of the making of your jewel
- Personal visit to anywhere in the world
- A design interview at your home
- Delivery in person
The experience that you give to your customers is truly remarkable. The impact of your portrait jewels is so powerful. How do you put a price on such a unique gift...Rick Gray, Canada.
Portrait Cameo Questions
I remove all of the stone that is not 'the portrait' to reveal the face and personality of the subject. I work until the portrait springs to life. Then I stop - overworking a carving is a common mistake made by beginners.
I carve every cameo entirely by hand. I use specially made steel points charged with Diamond dust. I make many of my special tools as they are not commercially available. The carving is smoothed and polished with wooden points charged with fine diamond dust.
All portrait cameos are hand carved by a master artisan. Production techniques do not work for one-off pieces. This is the pinnacle of any carvers art and experience, skill, artistic talent and a deep knowledge of Anatomy and portraiture are needed to create an accurate life-like portrait.
Ask if they are experts in this field. Have they studied anatomy and portraiture techniques? Have they studied the great masters of portrait sculpture and portrait artists?
Do they know how to about the camera’s limitations? Many do not know that a camera lens distorts the actual image. An expert portrait artist will correct for this.
A gemstone portrait cameo takes from 3 - 5 days to carve. A portrait cameo in Shell can be carved in 1 day. This is reflected in their value and cost. There are many variables that go into price, such as the material used, the size and complexity of the carving and the quality of the finish. Half of the carving time is spent on finishing and polishing the stone, especially in the highest quality work.
If you were asked to show a friend just two or three photos that capture the "essence" of your loved one which would you choose? These are the images that I need for your cameo jewel.My goal is to have the portrait photo that best shows the spirit and character of the person.
Does the photo tell a story? An example is how a photo of a father holding his child shows the love between them. Send me as many photos as you want. I can help advise on the best choice for the portrait cameo.
With a custom-made cameo, you may have the option to add personal details to make your gift more special. Engraved inscriptions, personal mementos, gold accents, icons, totems, signatures, etc. These details can transform from an ordinary jewel to an extraordinary and very personal gift.
Yes custom earrings can be made to match the style and/or color of your cameo necklace or brooch pin. This can be done with your first order or earrings can be made to add to a custom jewel that you already have.
Order Questions
A guide to how to get the best bespoke made to order jewelry
I never compromise on the quality of the portrait. Cheap portraits risk disappointment.
DONT - Immediately ask How Much will it cost?
Why? I don't know yet. It could be $500 - $50 thousand. Puts me on the defensive when I am asked to pick a figure from thin air. Would you walk into a car dealership and ask them "How much is a car?"
If I try too hard to get the price down to your Figure, I may have to compromise on features that will really make a big difference to your loved one.
Best to allow me to design the perfect solution. Many questions need to be asked to find the best solution for your needs.
What size stone, shape, color, type, open back, closed back, personal whimsy, added charm, all Silver, Silver and Gold, Yellow or White Gold, 14kt or 18kt Platinum, Diamonds, Pearls or Gemstones.
Allow me to do my design interview to discover the best solution. The worst case is that you have had a short chat with someone that cares.
DO - You can say I have X amount that I can spend, what can I get for this
DO - Push hard for the best result, imagine what the perfect jewel would be for your loved one.
DO - Consider adding features, personalizations, to really get to the heart of your loved one. This is my speciality.
Payment can be made direct by wire transfer or via Pay-Pal. I will provide a quote for delivery and Customs may charge duty and tax when you import your portrait cameo jewel.
I now accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Dash, Monero, Z Cash, Ripple, and many others. This can make sending funds easier and cheaper for many countries. Especially where the local banking system is expensive.
Contact me via my inquiry form. Upload your photos, share your story and tell me what kind of custom jewel you want. I will contact you to connect and research. I will share designs for your jewel. When the design is selected I will start work on your order. You will have direct access to Gareth Eckley.
My customers come from all over the world. Most of my work goes to the United States, the Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. I can probably deliver to your country, wherever you are.
Customer Care
Your Cameo has been carved from a tough and durable gemstone. With normal use and care your Cameo should last many years and could well become an heirloom that is passed through the generations.
Your Cameo is set in a frame that protects the sides and edges of the stone from damage. Please be aware that any stone can break, or chip, if dropped onto a hard surface, or hit with a hard object.
For this reason, I recommend that the Cameo is insured as soon as possible, as I cannot cover this sort of damage.
Your Cameo can be cleaned at any time. The easiest method is to immerse the Cameo in a warm solution of detergent and water. Soak the stone for a while and then clean with a soft toothbrush, to remove any ingrained dirt.
The special satin finish on the cameo stone can be restored by gently rubbing the surface with a clean ink eraser. Finish by rinsing the piece in warm water and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
I advise you to take the Cameo to a professional Jeweler every few years. They will check the piece for any wear that may need attention and they will be able to clean the piece professionally for you.
Cameo stones cannot take the heat of a soldering torch, but they are safe in the Ultrasonic cleaner and can be cleaned with a steam cleaner.
If you feel that the Cameo is not a good likeness in the first 7 days of receipt then you may return the cameo for recarving. Please contact me first before sending as we will pay your shipping costs.
I cannot accept a cancellation before I have delivered the finished cameo. Photographs do not adequately show the full detail of a carving and a portrait cameo really must be viewed 'in person' to fully judge the quality and likeness. If I am asked to change the expression of a person, say from open mouth to closed lips or from sad to happy then I must be given additional photos that show the person with this look. These photos will give me the chance to accurately portray the altered expression. I can offer this guarantee as I stand by the quality of my work.
Portrait Cameos are unique pieces of art. I do make every effort to ensure that a portrait cameo is a great likeness of the subject. Please check the Photographs of the finished cameo carefully before sending final payment. If I am asked to carve two or more cameos of the same photograph, I cannot guarantee that they will be identical. I do not create these portraits with a machine. They are all hand carved, so duplicate portraits will be very similar but not exact copies of each other.
If your order is delivered damaged, it is your responsibility to contact the shipper. Important: save all packing materials. Failure to do so can cause the shipper to deny your claim.
After the initial 7 day period, the following guarantee applies.
A Cameo should not break with normal usage. However, the gemstone itself is not guaranteed against loss or damage. I suggest ensuring the piece for its full replacement value. I would be happy to replace a missing or broken cameo stone. This would, however, be charged as a new order.
In the event of a failure of the metal setting, that has not been caused by damage from an external force I will carry out any repairs free of charge. If any metal parts have been damaged due to being hit or dropped then I would have to charge for any repair.
Please contact me in advance of sending the piece to me. I will verify the cause of the failure and if satisfied the piece will delivered free of charge.
I take your privacy seriously and that is why I will never share any confidential information that you give me, including your e.mail address or phone number with anyone outside of Portrait Cameos for any reason.
Orders for famous people may well need an enhanced degree of confidentiality. I am often asked to sign non disclosure agreements for these situations
I am happy to show your cameo online if you request me to. I will also share the story behind your cameo jewel. I am always so thankful when I am asked to share photos, reviews, and feedback from a customer.
No problem at all. Many of my cameo portrait jewels are not displayed on my website. I only show cameos with the approval of their owners.
A sympathy cameo that marks the passing of a 'loved one' is a very personal gift. The cameo may mark a very painful loss. My policy is to not show these gifts online. However, sometimes the owner asks me to share their cameo and their story. I show some of these on my site but I do not show full names to protect privacy.
General Questions
Individually hand carved cameos signed by a master artist are very valuable. Gemstone cameos have higher value as they are harder to carve than the softer Shell. Look for a signature, high-quality finish and complexity of carving.
Layered Agate is used for most gemstone hardstone cameos. The color contrast of the top white layer and the darker background layer creates great contrast. Agate is hard, carves well, takes a fine polish and has a special quality. The translucency of the white layer allows a skilled carver to create shading effects that bring a portrait to life.
Shell is much softer than stone and is far less durable. The carving process is faster with shell and different tools are used. Most shell cameos are cheply made for the tourist trade. These are finished poorly for a cheap price. There are some skilled shell carvers who do make very fine work.
Harstone cameos can last for millenia. There are stone cameos in museums that are 2,000 years old. Shell cameos are an organic material that can deteriorate over time. Shell is much softer, delicate and needs to be cared for carefully. Avoid heat, shock and harsh chemicals. The ultrasonic machine used by a jeweler can cause problems.
There is no such thing as a laser engraved cameo. The reason is that every cameo is a relief carving and has to have a thickness to the profile. Laser engraving is where the laser draws a picture, design or logo onto a flat surface. When you see one of these you can no longer confuse real cameos to laser engraved photos.
Cheap Agate cameos are produced by an ultrasonic carving process. An original is hand carved, a die is made from this carving. This is then placed in a press and vibrated, thousands of times a minute, against the raw stone, with a cutting abrasive.
A new cameo copy can be made in minutes. This process is only cost-effective if many identical copies are made. Priced from $30 – $300.
An expert appraiser will go through these steps to assess a value.
The Material
Is the cameo carved from an expensive material or a cheaper one? In general, the best carvers work on the best material. Experienced shell carvers typically do not work on the cheaper yellowish Carnelian shell.
Gemstone carvers can carve portraits onto a wide selection of gemstones. Layered Agate is actually a less expensive material than many gemstones. However, it is the perfect material for finely detailed portraits because:
- Agate’s hardness allows for greater detail than the softer shell
- The translucent nature gives a subtle glow to finished carvings
- A wider range of colors are available
- Gemstone is far more durable. Hardstone cameo lasts for thousands of years, shell cameos can deteriorate in a shorter time.
The Carving
Is the carving, smooth and well finished? The finish may be polished or have a satin texture. Many portraits will contrast polished areas with satin features to enhance the realism. It takes time to finish a carving well.
In cheaper carvings, the finishing process is rushed or not done at all. You will see crude, blocky, choppy marks, scratches and an uneven finish.
Antique cameos are very highly valued. Those that have a provenance that links them to famous rulers such as Napolean can sell for very high prices. Hardstone cameos are the most highly prized of all cameos. The Ancient Greeks and the Romans created some superb cameos that are now displayed in Museums or private collections. These highly prized portrait jewels were often gifts from Emperors or Royalty to their subjects.