The history of cufflinks stretches all the way back to the middle-ages, a surprising fact to many people. When first introduced to the fashionable set they were known as cuff strings. During the 17th century they evoked images of social prestige and affluence and by the 19th century cufflinks were a standard item of any gentleman’s attire. As cufflinks became increasingly fashionable, manufacturing techniques improved and many more designs appeared on the market. Cufflinks were cheaper to produce and so prices dropped and they became more accessible to the masses. Whereas once cufflinks were only affordable if you were wealthy, now they were in demand and available to everyone. There are a number of different materials used in the production of cufflinks including silver and gold, mother of pearl, mosaics, precious stones and enamel. More unusual designs have incorporated platinum, wood and fabric into the cufflinks for a totally unique look. Cufflinks with jewels embedded in them are a particularly popular design choice. Some particular occupations have their own designs for cufflinks with the company emblem or initial to denote their line of work. Cufflinks can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours and there are designs to suit everyones tastes, they are also popular as heirlooms engraved with the family crest and passed down through the family. Whilst cufflinks are normally seen as an item for males there was a time during the 20th century when women wore them for their decoration and as fashion items, these were referred to as arm candy or wrist jewellery. Around this time sales of cufflinks actually dropped as more shirts were produced with buttons to fasten the cuffs, therefore eliminating the demand for cufflinks. The most familiar kind of men’s cufflinks available today are made from sterling silver, a material that produces a stunning and elegant look silver also provides the perfect background for engraving purposes and allows for some very intricate designs. Sterling silver can be finished in all kinds of shapes and sizes to suit all tastes and these days even photographs can be engraved on to cufflinks, making them the ideal functional and exquisite gift to present to anyone. Personalised cufflinks are a great choice for all sorts of occasions, they can be presented as a wedding gift to the groom and male members of a bridal party, or individually engraved photo cufflinks can make the perfect gift for a 21st birthday. Cufflinks are seen as a glamouress gift as they are not generally viewed as every day wear and only brought out on special occasions. A well-thought out engraving can soon turn the simplest of cufflinks into a unique and cherished gift. Cufflinks don’t only make good gifts for weddings and birthdays however, personalized cufflinks will be appreciated by anyone and are a great choice if you aren’t sure what to buy that special person in your life. Another opportunity to give this kind of jewellery is at a retirement party, cufflinks are quite traditional and the older generation are likely to still wear them and so giving a quality pair that you have had engraved with a special message is sure to put a smile on their face. To some people cufflinks may be seen as a trivial and unnecessary accessory, especially as most shirts produced these days are equipped with buttons. However, cufflinks exude a sense of style and, whether true or not, an assumption is made that the wearer must be someone of prestige and status. Any person who has a sense of style, male or female, will already know that by wearing them, especially in particular engraved ones, will add a touch of elegance and class to their outfit. If you are racking your brains for a unique gift idea, then check out the choice of cufflinks for men and women. Personalize them with a message, date or photograph and you have the perfect gift.
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