Glyptic

Engraved glyptic gems were used as personal signets or seal-stones which could be impressed into wax or clay to create a signature.

Glyptic
The art of engraving or carving gems.
Group
Two or more chemically related gemstone materials, similar in structure and physical properties.

Early in the nineteenth century the glyptic arts fell out of favor due to a flooding of the marked with forgeries of ancient works. Without collectors fueling the market, the art declined.

One of the Russian artisans whose work is housed in the Hermitage is Oleg Galatin, who has used cacholong in his "glyptic" carving work with cameos and intaglios.

See also: Stone, Gemstones, Jewel, Gemstone, Jewelry