The London Lounge

Grettings All:
Dumb question here, but who likes cuff links? I enjoy the old KUM-A-PART snappers, double sided enamel, and theme cuff links such as car on one side and wheel on other side, or fish on one end and rod wheel on other side, well you get the idea. I am at that point in my life where I would like to add some spice to my cuff link wardrobe as well such pretty girl theme cuff links well you all know what I mean . If anyone knows of good places around the world to get cuff links from feel to share. I have found some good cuff links on ebay, haberdasheries, and antique shops.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

I like cufflinks, a little bit

As for new pairs, I would suggest a pair of 4 Vices, such as this 18k pair from my collection:

Tom's four vices is a classic.

There are many excellent sources for cufflinks in NYC.

Asprey has an excellent cufflink selection. I believe that once a year in September or October it does a cufflink show.

Another excellent place is the auction houses, such as Sotheby's, Christy's, Bonham, and Doyle's.

Another venue are the numerous antique shows that are held at the piers and the armories.

You can find an interesting set of cufflinks on eBay from time to time (such as the Tiffany owl set and the whale set), but it takes a bit of searching and regular checking.

cuffthis wrote:As for new pairs, I would suggest a pair of 4 Vices, such as this 18k pair from my collection

Cuffthis

They are wonderful. I like them a lot. Where did you get them?

whittaker wrote:

cuffthis wrote:As for new pairs, I would suggest a pair of 4 Vices, such as this 18k pair from my collection

Cuffthis

They are wonderful. I like them a lot. Where did you get them?

Thanks. These are from Deakin & Francis of Birmingham, England. Oddly, I rarely wear them but instead will reach for one of my sterling silver or reverse painted glass pairs of 4 vices. The expensive ones usually stay in their display cases. In my previous life as a CPA, I felt uncomfortable wearing high end links. Somedays, just wearing links was a real stretch.

I recall meeting a lawyer on a deal once who wore a beautiful set in gold and enamel with said four vices motive. The quality suggested D&F or Longmire.

It had been a present from his wife and he had no idea how much she had spent!

Longmire has some wonderful sets of "4 vices" cufflinks, as I saw when I visited yesterday. They are crafted in enamel and either white or yellow gold. The helpful chap in the store showed me photographs of the bespoke versions of "4 vices" created for various customers to reflect their particular vices, some quite racy using personally provided illustrations.

Here are some photos of work by Claudio Ranfaghi Gioielli, Firenze, bespoke jeweler, who will work with you to custom design cufflinks and other jewelry.

I met Claudio through Leonardo Bugelli who maintains a circle of artisanal friends who can create virtually any bespoke item you wish.

The text on the photographs seems to suggest one has to qualify as an Oligarch before venturing on a commission. I particularly like the translucent enamel ones.

I like Longmire, especially their traditional models, but their prices have run away a bit.

Deakin & Francis is not really providing a retail product, but my impression is that their capability as a manufacturing jeweller is extremely high. I have a large number of their enamelled silver links, and the gold ones I saw were quite impressive. They will do one off commissions in gold.

Neat photos thanks for sharing. I like the ship and life preserver one myself. I have seen Longmire's work on the internet and at Barney's one time in NYC. Nice work they do. I have never been to London, and have always wanted to go since I was a little boy. Hope to get out there one of these days, until then this site has helped me get a little closer.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

how do I reach the jeweler in firenze? how much is he charging? I love cufflinks and often have them made,

Unfortunately, I don't have Claudio's contact details.

He is a pal of Leonardo Bugelli and he brought some of his jewellry to Leonardo's shop to show me; he doesn't have a retail shop.

I bought a pair of simple gold enamelled cufflinks - similar to the oval blue enamelled links in the center-bottom - and as I recall, they cost about Euro 300 (about $ 360)

If any members here have Leonardo's contact details, please try to get hold Claudio Ranfaghi's details for Ed; btw, Claudio doesn't speak English: Leonardo translates.

The artisan community I met in Florence help each other out, introducing customers to each other and it's a nice little system; I met a shoemaker, tie maker, jeweler, tailor through Leonardo during my short visit.


Claudio:


some of Claudio's handmade cufflinks:

BTW, if you are looking for sophisticated, high end jewelry in Florence, I would give Vennari a visit:

http://www.vennari.com/en/g_frame.htm

Claudio Ranfaghi can be reached at the following number in Florence

+ 39 55 241 020