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