Transferring the design onto the stone

The design is marked onto the agate with ink. This will act as a guide to the carving and will be re-applied when needed.

Removing the agate material

The first stage of carving is to cut away the top layers around the profile. This reveals the darker background layer.

This darker layer is very important as it will provide the contrast needed to visually lift the cameo to create a sense of height.

Carving the form of the Portrait

The basic form of the cameo is carved. The carving looks very “blocky” at this stage. This is because I am very careful to leave extra material in all areas to allow for any changes at the final stage of carving the details.

The surface is quite rough as the goal here is to quickly remove all the material that is not needed to get to the finished profile.

Refining the detail

The stone is now carved with tools using finer grades of diamond powder to smooth and refine the surface.

The cameo was hand carved with diamond tools in a very similar method to how the original would have been made over 400 years ago.

These tools are made from steel and copper and are charged with diamond of various grits. There is a rough grind stage then a medium and smooth sanding to refine the carving.

The finished Agate Cameo Portrait of Pocahontas

The cameo is pictured here lit from behind. This shows the translucent nature of the agate stone.

The portrait carving at quite an advanced stage.

Further refinement will be added once the cameo frame has been made.

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