Photo Credit: KensingtonAntiques
18 Karat Gold & Diamond Edwardian Cufflinks, Circa 1919
Asking Price: $1,250 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-Here is a marvelous pair of heavy, 18 karat yellow gold and old European cut diamond Edwardian cufflinks that were crafted in Birmingham, England.
-They measure 0.69 inches (17 mm) long by 0.5 inches (13 mm) wide and weigh a substantial 13 grams (0.418 troy ounces).
-These Edwardian cufflinks are superbly constructed from very heavy, solid 18 karat gold. Robust construction is one of the primary indicators of quality in antique jewelry.
-These antique cufflinks are fully hallmarked, which is a very desirable trait! They were made in Birmingham in 1919 by B.H. Joseph & Co., a very well-regarded jewelry and silverware fabricator that operated at 20 Frederick Street, Birmingham from the 1860s until 1929.
-Birmingham, England was world-famous for the number and quality of “smalls”, or small silver and gold accessories, that were produced there.
-These Edwardian cufflinks are set with 12 old European cut diamonds that have an estimated total weight of 0.72 carats. Assuming an average diamond value of $250 per carat, these cufflinks are set with $180 worth of diamonds, give or take.
-These solid 18 karat gold cufflinks have a simple, but classic design that is both attractive and functional. This means that even though they are almost 100 years old, a man can still wear these cufflinks to any occasion that requires a suit without feeling out-dated.
-The thing I like most about these Edwardian cufflinks is their relatively high intrinsic value. With gold currently trading at $1,268, these cufflinks contain $397 worth of gold. Combine that with the value of the old European cut diamonds and the total intrinsic value of the pair is approximately $577 – nearly half the asking price of $1,250. Buying antique jewelry that has a high intrinsic value relative to its purchase price significantly reduces your investment risk.
-Regardless of whether you are looking to buy a pair of cufflinks to wear or as an investment, these solid 18 karat gold and diamond Edwardian cufflinks represent good value for your money at an asking price of only $1,250.
Cons:
-Although they were created in 1919 at the very end of the Edwardian period, these cufflinks have significant Victorian elements in their design. Under most circumstances, the mixing of two separate design languages – Edwardian and Victorian in this case – reduces the desirability of a piece. However, I believe the simplicity of these cufflinks renders them aesthetically timeless. This also explains why they were created in this style in 1919, well after the Victorian age had passed. In any case, even though these cufflinks do no embody the typical delicacy of Edwardian jewelry, they are still quite desirable.
-The seller claims that the diamonds in these Edwardian cufflinks grade G to J in color and VS1 to VS2 in clarity. However, it is a good working assumption that any diamond you buy online from anyone other than a very reputable, dedicated diamond seller will be over-graded by one clarity and one color grade. Although I have no reason to believe this particular seller is being dishonest or misleading in any way, it is simply a good rule of thumb to follow when buying diamond jewelry online. Even assuming the color and clarity of these diamonds are one grade lower than stated, the total value of the cufflinks is not significantly impacted because antique cut diamonds are not judged by the same aesthetic standards as modern-cut diamonds.
