Cameo Jewellery Is Back: The Vintage Jewellery Revival
For years, cameo jewellery has been associated with antique collections, inherited jewellery boxes and traditional Victorian styling. In 2026, however, we think that perception is beginning to change.
Cameos, brooches, archival jewellery and vintage-inspired designs are appearing again across contemporary fashion and red-carpet jewellery. Often, they are styled with distinctly modern clothing rather than as historical costume.
It forms part of a wider movement towards jewellery with character, craftsmanship and a sense of history. Rather than jewellery being valued purely for gemstone size or monetary value, there is renewed interest in pieces that feel individual. Additionally, pieces that are handcrafted or connected to another era are gaining attention.
At Polished Diamonds, we see the same appeal in our vintage-inspired diamond rings. Details such as engraving, milgrain, decorative settings and distinctive diamond shapes can be incorporated into newly made jewellery.
What Is Cameo Jewellery?
A cameo is traditionally a carved image created in relief, often showing a portrait, figure or classical scene. Shell, agate and other layered materials have historically been used so that the raised design contrasts with the background.
Cameos have existed for centuries, but their association with Victorian and antique jewellery has sometimes made them feel more like collectables than contemporary jewellery.
That appears to be changing.
The return of statement brooches, archival jewellery and romantic historical references is allowing the cameo to be viewed differently — not simply as an antique, but as a design element. As a result, it can be incorporated into modern jewellery and fashion.
Modern Designers Are Reimagining the Cameo
One of the strongest indications that the cameo is returning comes from contemporary fashion itself.
Dior’s Fall 2026 Cameo Bee collection includes a Cameo Bee necklace built around an antique silver-finish medallion featuring the house’s bee motif. Dior describes the design as new for Fall 2026. This demonstrates how the visual language of the cameo is being incorporated into a major contemporary fashion collection.
Dolce & Gabbana has gone even further with an oval cameo brooch in its Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The traditional cameo format has been deliberately positioned as a modern men’s fashion accessory. This is a strong indication that cameos are moving beyond their conventional association with women’s antique jewellery.
Simone Rocha has also explored the idea, producing a gold-tone cameo brooch featuring a raised white porcelain motif within a polished brass frame. The piece feels unmistakably vintage-inspired. Yet, it fits naturally within Rocha’s contemporary romantic aesthetic.
Together, these examples suggest something more interesting than simply rediscovering old jewellery. Designers are actively borrowing the forms, symbolism and romance of cameo jewellery and making them relevant again.
Barbara Palvin Brings the Cameo to Cannes
The trend has also reached one of fashion’s most visible stages: the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Barbara Palvin appeared at Cannes wearing Hassanzadeh Jewellery layered with her Ella Mae gown. One necklace combined diamonds and rubies, while another featured a cameo pendant surrounded by a halo of diamonds.
It is an excellent example of how cameo jewellery can look contemporary.
Instead of presenting the cameo as a standalone antique, it was combined with diamonds and layered jewellery to create a modern red-carpet look.
This combination of old-world imagery with contemporary styling is exactly why we think the cameo revival is worth watching.
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Archival Boucheron
Another striking example appeared at the September 2026 London premiere of Sense and Sensibility.
Daisy Edgar-Jones wore exceptional archival Boucheron jewellery dating from 1877, including a yellow-gold, silver and diamond locket. She also wore a cameo ring featuring Louis XV-inspired shell motifs.
In this case, the jewellery wasn’t designed to look vintage — it genuinely was.
The appearance also reflects another important jewellery trend: significant archival and heritage jewellery is being worn again rather than simply preserved in collections.
Fine jewellery was created to be worn. Seeing jewellery almost 150 years old appearing on a major red carpet highlights the longevity of good design and craftsmanship.
The Wider Vintage Jewellery Revival
Cameos are only part of a broader return to vintage-inspired design.
Milgrain edging, engraving, filigree-style detailing, yellow gold, decorative shoulders and coloured gemstones all give contemporary jewellery a sense of history. Distinctive diamond shapes such as emerald, Asscher and cushion cuts can also achieve this effect.
Our Vintage Diamond Rings collection draws on these traditional influences while using modern jewellery design and manufacturing techniques.
For something more personal, our custom jewellery design service allows an antique piece, inherited jewel, old photograph or favourite historical design to provide inspiration. This inspiration can be used for a completely new piece of jewellery.
Bring Heritage Jewellery Back to Life
The renewed interest in vintage jewellery may also be a good reason to revisit pieces already sitting in your own jewellery box.
Old cameo brooches, rings, pendants and inherited jewellery are often left unworn because a clasp is damaged or a stone is loose. Alternatively, the piece simply needs professional attention.
Before regularly wearing antique or heritage jewellery, it is sensible to have the settings, claws, hinges and clasps inspected.
Polished Diamonds’ jewellery repair and restoration service can assess older and inherited jewellery and determine what work may be appropriate. Depending on the piece, this might involve repairing worn metal, securing gemstones, restoring settings, or polishing. It might also involve bringing an heirloom safely back into wearable condition.
Jewellery can be brought into our Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch jewellery design studios for assessment.
Is Cameo and Vintage-Inspired Jewellery Making a Comeback?
We think it is a jewellery trend worth watching.
At Polished Diamonds, this renewed interest in vintage jewellery closely reflects the way we approach design. Our vintage-inspired diamond rings take details from earlier jewellery eras — including milgrain, engraving, decorative settings and distinctive gemstone cuts. We then reinterpret them using modern CAD design and New Zealand craftsmanship. Through our custom jewellery design service, we can also use an antique jewel, family heirloom or favourite vintage design as inspiration for something completely personal.
The resurgence of cameo and vintage-inspired jewellery shows that great jewellery design does not need to belong to the past; it can be preserved, restored and reimagined for a new generation.
Cameo Jewellery FAQs
There are strong signs of a revival. Cameos are appearing in contemporary designer collections, on international red carpets and alongside the wider resurgence of brooches, archival jewellery and vintage-inspired design.
Traditional cameos are commonly carved from layered materials such as shell or hardstone, allowing the raised image and background to appear in contrasting colours.
Often, yes. Clasps, settings, hinges and precious-metal components may be repairable, although antique jewellery should always be inspected before restoration work begins.
Yes. Our designers can create jewellery incorporating vintage influences including engraving, milgrain, decorative settings, coloured gemstones and traditional design details using modern CAD jewellery design and New Zealand craftsmanship.
