CAMEA, in natural history, a genus of the semipellucid gems, approaching to the onyx structure, being composed of zones, and formed on a crystalline basis; but having their zones very broad and thick, and laid alternately on one another, with no common matter between; usually less transparent, and more debased with earth, than the onyxes.
1. One species of the camæa is the dull-looking onyx, with broad black and white zones; and is the camæa of the moderns, and the Arabian onyx: This species is found in Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the East Indies. 2. Another species of the camæa is the dull, broad-zoned, green and white camæa, or the jaspis-cameo of the Italians: It is found in the East Indies, and in some parts of America. 3. The third is the hard camæa, with broad white and chestnut-coloured veins. 4. The hard camæa, with bluish, white, and flesh-coloured broad veins, being the sardonix of Pliny's time, only brought from the East Indies.