Antique Art Deco Retro Sterling Silver Faux Diamond Paste Mens Cufflinks | Vintage | 21 Grams | 0.51" L | 0.83" W | Florentine Finish hotsell | Rare

We have similar Retro and Diamond items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Retro" or "Diamond" under our items.

Listing Description by: Dylan L.

The Piece

Age Circa: Retro C. 1940 - 1950

Markings: Marked "STERLING" on the inside of the posts of the cufflinks, Tested, and Guaranteed

Country of Origin: United States

Brand: Unknown

Gram Weight: 21 Grams

Metal Type: .925 Sterling Silver

Material: --

Main Stone: Faux Diamond Paste

Main Stone Measurements/Color: Measures 1.9 mm in diameter, Lustrous white hue

Accent Stone: --

Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --

Stone Treatment: Paste is a manufactured stone. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.

Stone Cuts: Round Faceted Cut Faux Diamond Paste

Item Measurements: The face of the cufflinks measure 0.51" long by 0.83" wide. The stem measures 0.74" long and the back is 0.66" across. The back can be flipped upwards into the stem which aids in the adjusting and placing of the cufflinks.

Convertible to Earrings: If desired, your local jeweler can most likely convert these cufflinks to earrings.

Notable Features:
These gorgeous rectangular cuffinks were given a Florentine finish, and feature faux diamond paste stones in the center of the cufflinks.
Damage: Age appropriate wear.

*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*


The History

The Art Deco era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specially cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would usually take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.

Retro jewelry was produced during the 1940s and 1950s and was representative of the bold and changing world that hotsell emerged from the Second World War. Retro jewelry is not only illustrative of the energetic and modernizing styles of the 40s and 50s, but it incorporated the elegance and luxury of jewelry styles past. Retro jewelry can frequently be found composed of bright gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. These designs are vibrant and beautiful and are a gorgeous example of the style of the rapidly evolving world.

The Hollywood Regency style came into fashion during the 1930s, ushered along by the Golden Age of Hollywood. This style was heralded by bright, contrasting colors and a modernization of the opulence of Baroque styles, featuring a deliberately frivolous extravagance that screamed glitz and glamour. “Big girls need big diamonds” was taken to heart, and the gorgeous Hollywood stars decked themselves appropriately, with blindingly glittering jewels to showcase their lives of luxury.

French jeweler Georges Frédéric Strass created “paste” as an alternative to diamonds during the Georgian era. Leaded glass was cut and polished with a metallic powder until it shimmered brightly like a diamond in the light. These white “diamante” or “strass” stones were wildly popular with the glamorous Parisians, and eventually paste stones were colored to mimic other precious gemstones.

The Florentine finish was created and mastered by Italian artists and became popular in jewelry, watches and furniture within the last century. This specialized decorative finish is a crosshatched technique which is engraved into the surface of a precious metal. It is usually applied with a specific hand tool and consists of a series of parallel lines engraved in two directions which are perpendicular to each other. This beautiful finish reduces the reflectivity of metal and the lines are often more deeply incised than the brushed or matte finish methods.



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