gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio, shell, ancient gems, Rome, Greece, ancient jewelry, rings

The discovery of an antique cameo in this island is so uncommon an event that every well-authenticated instance of the kind deserves to be brought under the notice of the Institute, and therefore I have much pleasure in communicating the following particulars respecting the most important one that has ever come to my knowledge. In March last, a poor man, whilst engaged in “prospecting” upon the site of the Roman amphitheatre at South Shields, picked up a large gem, which shortly afterwards came into the possession of Robert Blair, Esq., of that town, who kindly forwarded it to me for examination. It is an elliptical Indian sardonyx, 2 by 1¾ in. in its greatest and least diameters, of two layers; the upper, opaque white; the lower, a rich translucent brown.