I'm going to L.A. tomorrow for a vacation and was thinking about everything I want to do while I'm there. (My sister and I will be spending a few days in San Francisco, too, so it won't be a super-long trip.) I'd like to go to this new exhibition at the Getty: Carvers and Collectors: The Lasting Allure of Ancient Gems.
This carved amethyst blows me away. It is attributed to Solon, who created carvings around 70–20 BC for Roman imperial circles. Many of these pieces are unsigned (and were only later attributed after comparisons of commonalities with other works). This carving is 3.3 x 3 cm — about the size of the cap on a 35 mm film canister.
The exhibition's Web site also includes information about carving techniques (handy if you want to learn the difference between a cameo and an intaglio), commentary about the carvers and their works, and stories about emulation and forgery. And check out the events: you can also attend lectures or take a class in stone carving.
Even if you don't get a chance to see the exhibit, the Getty is worth a visit for other exhibitions. The view from the villa is gorgeous — especially if you can watch the sun set with a cocktail. Cheers!