The use of lava stone in cameos and other jewellery dates back to ancient times. The ancient Greeks and Romans were known to use lava stone in their jewellery, particularly in the creation of cameos. Lava stone, also known as basalt, is formed from the solidification of molten lava. It is a hard, dense rock that is durable and capable of holding fine details. The black and grey colour of the stone provides an excellent contrast for carving designs and portraits.
The ancient Greeks and Romans would carve images into the lava stone using sharp tools. The raised areas of the design would be polished, while the background was left rough. This technique, known as "intaglio," was used to create intricate designs and portraits. The resulting cameos were often mounted in gold or silver settings and worn as jewellery.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, cameos made from lava stone more...
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