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 The times when signets and rings,
and tie-bars were higly demanded passed and since then the cuff-links
become the classic elegant accessory for men. They look as soft and
speaking jewelry that
show the social status of the person.
When you see
a man wearing golden cuff-links, it speaks of the well-being and high social
status of him, as well as of the good taste. But it should be noted that gold as
precious metal should be matched with only elegant expensive fabric but not
synthetic tissue whichever trendy and creative they are.
The cuff-links
were the compulsory element of clothing for men long time ago but in 18th
century this accessory was offered in Europe
made in gold. During the reign of Louis XIV the court dandies boasted with
their luxury silky shirts tied with glass buttons linked with the silver chain
in between. Further on, the good manners introduced the other rules when all
the court people and nobles form high society should decorate their clothing
with golden cuff-links incrusted with precious stones, particularly diamonds.
The golden cuff-links dominated until the second half of 19th
century when the scientists introduced the practice of electroplating or
galvanism effect. Thus, the accessory manufacturers came to the opinion that
the costly gold could be replaced with the cheaper spattering of yellow color
instead of the natural gold onto their items. That was reasonable from
commercial point of view though the effect was not that enthralling as with gold,
indeed.
Among the
jewelry recorded in the well-known Guinness Book, the golden cuff-links were
the ones mentioned exactly for the metal they are made from. The most expensive
cuff-links produced throughout the history of humankind were created by the reputed
designing jeweler from Britain of Italian origin Gianni Vive Sulman. For his jewelry he used the
18k gold that is 75% gold and several hundred of select diamonds. That
was time-consuming and costly manufacture and as a result the jeweler presented
seventy three pairs of cuff-links, stunning and dazzling in beauty each pair
estimated for about forty thousand USD.
The brand
Atelier Yozu is specialized in producing the exclusive cuff-links from yellow
gold. Each of its cuff-links is normally incrusted with a scatter of diamonds
or other precious stones. The Atelier Yozu cuff-links average from ten thousand USD.
Some
jewelry brands like Cross from USA
launch gold cuff-links for a cheaper price. However, the Cross accessories look
less elegant but more solid without any precious inclusions with the only
decorating as graving. In exclusive models platinum is used and such
cross-links are offered from five hundred to a thousand USD.
If the yellow
gold cuff-links are associated with pompousness and boasting, the more restricted
and conservative men prefer wearing cuff-links made from white gold. It is
ideal when the cuff-links match the case of wrist watches. The precious stones look
precious when they match the color of shirt or a tie otherwise the color conflict
may cause the different effect.
The gold is
pliable enough to make a variety of cuff-links different in design from it. The
jewelers usually refer to hobbies or specialty of a person presenting cuff-link
as grenades, a wallet, a ball or a car helm. When the exclusive cuff-links are
offered for custom, they may have the owner initials of company logo and such
cuff-links are mostly liked by the top managers of large companies.
The jewelry
shops offer unusual cuff-links offered as death-heads, mobile phones or naked
figures that usually exert attention and evoke different emotions. Those who prefer
such cuff-links come as wealthy young men who tend to adhere to bohemian style
in clothing and are not afraid to make impression on others.
Functional gold cuff-links are made for particular devotees only. After
all, not a single man would like to have a compass or a weather gauge
inserted in his cuff-links. However, such a creative approach could be
used
in practice more often, why not, especially when watches are there
combined
with cuff-links.
Regardless of
the shape, cuff-links have been one of men’s accessories to really attract
attention and make a judgment of the wearer.
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