Male elegance is made of beautiful clothes, but it also goes through details and jewellery, especially since men wear less of them than women. However, men's jewellery is not limited to watches and bracelets.
Men can also wear necklaces and rings, but if there is one small device that represents masculine style and elegance, it's probably the cufflink. Having fallen into disuse towards the end of the 20th century, cufflinks have been making a comeback in men's wardrobes over the last fifteen years. They were mainly used in certain business circles and for special occasions such as weddings.
Today, the accessory has been rejuvenated and brings the French cuff shirt up to date by allowing men to distinguish themselves by wearing this jewel in a variety of shapes and colours.
The metals
The metals used to make cufflinks are important because they determine the strength and durability of your jewellery.
Brass
The metal often found for buttons that are accessible for less than 100€ is brass. It is a copper-zinc alloy, rather malleable, allowing the imagination to run free as to the shape of the button. This non-ferrous alloy is often covered with a silver or rhodium plating.
Stainless steel
Also called stainless steel, this steel contains about 10% chromium, which makes it more resistant to oxidation.
Solid silver
Solid silver, like brass, is a malleable metal in its pure state, which is why its preferred composition is 925 silver with 92.5% pure silver and the rest of a harder metal, often copper, to give strength to the alloy. Solid silver cufflinks have a very noble characteristic lustre that connoisseurs will not fail to identify.
Gold
Solid gold cufflinks are rare and expensive, reserved for luxury jewellery. You will therefore often find gold-coloured brass cufflinks in the entry-level range or gold-plated 925 silver for the high-end. They are more difficult to match than silver and this colour is often reserved for special occasions.
Rhodium
Rhodium is a silver-coloured precious metal from the platinum family with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It has the advantage of not causing allergies, which may explain why it is widely used for plating. It protects the jewel from air and perspiration, preventing silver or brass from blackening.
Palladium
This silvery-white precious metal belongs to the platinum group and has the advantage that it does not tarnish, unlike silver. It is more precious than copper and zinc, which are used for 14 and 18 carat gold.
Crimped materials
Wood
Wood is a warm material and the species chosen, such as walnut, cherry or oak, often have a light, modern colour, giving your look style.
Precious and semi-precious stones
Precious stones such as sapphire, ruby and diamond are mainly used to make custom-made jewellery, and you can find models in semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, onyx or sodalite, beautiful materials that bring elegance and character to your wrists.
Mother-of-pearl
Mother-of-pearl is a material with beautiful shades that is also used for the other buttons on the shirt. Perfect for a subtle and natural reminder.
Leather
Leather is less common and, just like wood, is a warm material that brings a rough side to your outfit.
Enamel
Enamel is a layer of vitrified minerals on the surface of the button. It can be coloured with metal oxides or simply painted. This material makes it possible to offer all possible colours and thus to create cufflinks, both classic and fantasy.
Classic or unusual patterns
A distinction is often made between classic and unusual models. However, the shape and design of your cufflinks depend mainly on your taste. Today it is easier to wear a little fantasy in a professional context because work wear has evolved.
The formal black suit has given way to navy blue or grey suits with original materials. You can easily find cufflinks to underline its colours and give relief to your style.
If you are bored with the classic, then you will quickly discover a wide range of cufflinks with unusual shapes and patterns, especially on the Internet and from certain brands.