Much has been written about engraved gems, especially intaglios; their place in history, the fabled collections or cabinets, the renowned collectors and even, sometimes the engravers.  Engraved gem literature usually is divided into two classes; one about the original pieces, typically either very old or very intricate in design or both (always valuable).  The other is the reproductions or impressions of these original gems which have been produced to be made commercially available at a very reasonable price to the general public.

Very little has been written about the in-between classes.  Again, two types.  The original engraved stones, usually very simple in design, that were mass produced, albeit one at a time, for sale to the public generally as jewelry or ornaments.  The other type were the reproductions in glass or paste, sometimes very good, used to imitate the real thing.  Who produced these pieces?  Sometimes works of art, sometimes amateurish.