It’s the little things in life that matter, right? When people are dressing up in high priced labels or fine fabrics to make a statement in their self-presentation, the shirt stud detail is often overlooked. It is true that when renting a tuxedo or suit one has the option of taking cufflinks and shirt studs[Read More]
Sterling Silver, used frequently in utensils, decorative art, cufflinks, and jewelry, is an alloy so valuable and versatile that it was once traded as currency. The British Pound derives its name from the weight of sterling silver that was once used to form the coin. This lustrous metal is so versatile that it has been[Read More]
We can all be mesmerized by the glitz, glam, and shiny diamonds, or pearls of cufflinks. They’re often encrusted with dazzling gems or built out of exquisite materials, ensnaring our eyes like a Muse from the heavens. While style itself carries with it elements of prestige or status symbols, you shouldn’t limit your personal style[Read More]
The big bold line between cultural influence and full immersion is rarely crossed, but when it is one doesn’t see the artform from that heritage respected diligently often; John Hardy is one of the exceptions. Hardy is a Canadian artist who traveled to Bali in 1975 and studied their art and jewelry techniques. He spent a[Read More]
The essence and reflection of the oceans are housed in the modest elegance of abalone. This gem of the ocean can contain the colorful swirls of Caribean waters or the murky depths of mysterious still sea. Abalone is also known as Ear Shells, Sea Ears, or Ormer and although it’s a common name for marine[Read More]
The Unger Brothers Company is an example of moving well-crafted everyday items into high-end art. Their exquisite Art Nouveau pieces became legendary and can be seen in many museums, even in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When it came to anything from toiletries to cufflinks, the Unger Brothers helped define the standard in Art Nouveau[Read More]
Art Nouveau was truly the “new art” and more significant than a reaction to Academism or fad that bubbled through Victorian restraints. Although, with the death of Queen Victoria it erupted into an era of nature-inspired originality. The form of flowers and symmetry of undulating lines were released from dictated shackles that kept the art[Read More]
Larter and Sons is another remarkable company that helped form Newark, New Jersey as a cufflink capital. As with other famed companies, Larter and Sons patented innovations that pushed men’s cufflinks forward. One of their innovations, the spring-back stud, is their maker’s mark. Their first patent was issued in the late Victorian era, a spring[Read More]
Few legends in silversmithing rival Georg Jensen. His cufflinks and wider works surpass pretty items on a suit, moving into the world of wearable art. Jensen’s early work, ambitions in sculpture, and ceramics helped carve a place for his company in jewelry and art history. Jensen held a democratic design philosophy in his work, believing[Read More]
We all know that fashion trends change, mold, and morph due to cultural mores or whatever dictates the aesthetics of the day. The placement and number of studs have morphed as much as dress shirts and dresses have, further accommodating the drapery they adorn. These precious accessories are for more than special days such as[Read More]
