The Royal Cameo

Queen being presented with the Pocahontas Cameo

Richmond, Virginia, USA May 3rd, 2007

Chief William Miles, presents the Queen with the Pocahontas Cameo.

Here is a free download of a photo-book that tells the story of the Pocahontas Cameo.

Testimonials & Client List

Cameo History & Info

A Gift for Her

Family Portrait Cameo

A Gift for Him

Publicity & Features

Cameos Old & New 4th Edition.

Diana Jarrett has updated this great book. This is considered the definitive guide to the History of Cameos and Cameo Artists. Gareth Eckley is featured inside.

How a Portrait Cameo is made

Good Portrait Photographs.

This is the chosen photo from the ten photographs of a young daughter sent by her father to Gareth Eckley. Selecting which photo to use was quite difficult. Each photo showed a different aspect of their daughter and each portrayed a different quality.

This image was selected as she has a relaxed smile, her eyes are looking up which gives a positive feel and there is a great balance between the hair, face and clothing. The three quarter view works very well in an oval shaped cameo carving.

Carving the gemstone portrait

close up of gareth eckley carving a cameo portrait

These photographs show the stages of the gemstone carving. The design is first incised onto the stone with a diamond point.

The top white layer is carved away to reveal the profile. Great care is taken to carve the three dimensional form of the profile correctly.

The highest areas of the profile are the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. I try to remove as little as I can from here. This helps to keep as much depth as possible in the final carving.

The hair and clothing are carved next. Then the other details are incised with great precision. The surface of the carving is polished with some areas left matt. This helps to enhance the effect of realism.