Decorated Grooms: Cufflinks for a Refined Wedding Day

May 26, 2021

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

Tradition dictates that women have plenty of options for their bridal jewellery, from tiaras and pearls to chandelier earrings and diamond-set necklaces. For men, however, the situation is a little demurer, with splashes of colour and precious metal peeking from shirt cuffs in the form of cufflinks, perhaps alongside a tie pin, dress set or series of shirt studs. If we set aside modern notions of masculinity for a second, there’s a rich history of men’s accessories waiting to be explored and cufflinks have an important role to play. Here are some elegant shirt fasteners that are perfect for a wedding in celebration of Bridal Week on Katerinaperez.com.

An important thing to remember about men’s jewellery is that it often encapsulates the notion of ‘function over form’. Unlike women’s jewellery, which has for centuries been about beauty, style and decoration, men’s accessories have largely been rooted in functionality, like fastening a robe, holding shirt sleeves in place or ensuring a smooth streamlined tie. Even as far back as Ancient Rome, a carved intaglio ring was for sealing letters with wax and not simply decoration alone.

David Morris cufflinks with rubies and sapphires in 18k white gold

David Morris cufflinks with rubies and sapphires in 18k white gold

 David Morris Diamond Slice cufflinks with a halo of micro-set white diamonds totalling 7.38 carats

David Morris Diamond Slice cufflinks with a halo of micro-set white diamonds totalling 7.38 carats

 Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Acorn cufflinks in 18k yellow gold with hematite

Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Acorn cufflinks in 18k yellow gold with hematite

 Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Olive cufflinks in 18k yellow gold with blue enamel

Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Olive cufflinks in 18k yellow gold with blue enamel

 Asprey shirt studs in white gold with sapphires

Asprey shirt studs in white gold with sapphires

History has several derogatory terms for a man overtly concerned with his appearance and accessories and, by the Victorian era, men’s adornments were purposeful and considered. There were some high points in the early 20th century, like the influence of highly adorned Maharajas on Art Deco design and the suave tastes of the Duke of Windsor Edward VIII. These men certainly weren’t afraid to wear diamonds and coloured gemstones, but it was their remarkable wealth that made these feats of men’s jewellery possible. From the 1930s onwards, the rise of automatic wristwatches provided the perfect blend of ‘form and function’ and could be seen accompanied by a decorative cigarette case or dress set, probably by the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Cartier and David Webb.

Harry Winston Zalium cufflinks and dress studs with round-cut diamonds

Harry Winston Zalium cufflinks and dress studs with round-cut diamonds

Flash forward to our contemporary era and cufflinks, dress sets, and tie pins might make only one appearance in a man’s life… on his wedding day. The distillation of men’s finery to such significant occasions is a shame, as there is a whole world of period and contemporary cufflinks to discover! They’re deceptively simple by nature: either decorative buttons held together with a chain or bar or a single button with a hinged mechanism that clips through shirt sleeve holes. Historically, cufflinks weren’t an instant hit among refined gents. They slowly rose to prominence at the end of the 18th century and into the 19th century and proved particularly useful at connecting stiff, starchy fabric. When mass-manufacturing techniques took hold, men at all facets of the social spectrum could own cufflinks to accompany their occasion-wear.

Van Cleef & Arpels gold bar cufflinks with sapphires

Van Cleef & Arpels gold bar cufflinks with sapphires

 Van Cleef & Arpels cufflinks with diamonds dated 1929

Van Cleef & Arpels cufflinks with diamonds dated 1929

 Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra cufflinks with mother of pearl in yellow gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra cufflinks with mother of pearl in yellow gold

 Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris cufflinks in rose gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris cufflinks in rose gold

 Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Sticks cufflinks

Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Sticks cufflinks

Part of the appeal of cufflinks and other accessories for men on their wedding day is undoubtedly the nod to tradition. With so much choice about what we wear and the proliferation of ‘casual’ clothes, very few men will wear a dress shirt from one year to the next! But once its on (and paired with a great tuxedo and bow tie), a pair of cufflinks, shirt studs and maybe even a lapel pin feel more natural and more needed. To see examples of these pieces worn, you’ll need to look to the red carpet, especially the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival, where such levels of finery are welcome. Interestingly, there’s also been a smattering of brooches among well-dressed men, which could inspire a future groom to adorn his jacket.

Cartier Panthère de Cartier tie pin and cufflinks with diamonds, emeralds and onyx in white gold

Cartier Panthère de Cartier tie pin and cufflinks with diamonds, emeralds and onyx in white gold

Former Christie’s Senior International Jewellery Director and cufflink aficionado, David Warren, once said: “Generally speaking, men have a fairly limited array of options when it comes to jewellery. This makes cufflinks hugely popular. They are a fun yet discreet way to express yourself and can also be very attractive or artistic fashion statements.” He made these comments while browsing a selection of cufflinks by undoubtedly one of this accessories’ most vocal proponents: Cartier. In 1874, there is an entry in Cartier’s archives listing a pair of cufflinks edged in platinum – very impressive considering platinum wasn’t widely used until the tail-end of the 19th century. Collectors should look for Cartier cufflinks and dress sets the Belle Époque and Art Déco periods, especially those with enamel and gem-set details.

Cartier Panthère de Cartier cufflinks and men's accessories with onyx and emerald in 18k yellow gold

Cartier Panthère de Cartier cufflinks and men's accessories with onyx and emerald in 18k yellow gold

Contemporary jewellers are continuing the long tradition of dress cufflinks for special occasions and grooms who want their bejewelled moment in the spotlight. British jeweller Theo Fennell says: “Cufflinks were part of the fabric of my life from an early age, my father’s and grandfather’s links were something I would wonder at and they seemed a part of growing up, a symbol for a rite of passage into a grown-up and sophisticated world. I have always loved the idea of them being a highly personal and elegant finishing touch.”

Theo Fennell 18k black rhodium-plated white gold cufflinks with 7.52 carats of opal and 2.40 carats of diamonds

Theo Fennell 18k black rhodium-plated white gold cufflinks with 7.52 carats of opal and 2.40 carats of diamonds

 Theo Fennell 18k yellow gold and opal cufflinks with 0.75 carats of diamonds

Theo Fennell 18k yellow gold and opal cufflinks with 0.75 carats of diamonds

 Theo Fennell Firefly stick pin with a 1.19 carat pear-cut pink tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Theo Fennell Firefly stick pin with a 1.19 carat pear-cut pink tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold

 Theo Fennell cufflinks in 18k white and yellow gold with rubies

Theo Fennell cufflinks in 18k white and yellow gold with rubies

 Theo Fennell lapis lazuli cufflinks with 18k yellow gold

Theo Fennell lapis lazuli cufflinks with 18k yellow gold

 Theo Fennell diamond and red enamel shirt studs in 18k yellow gold

Theo Fennell diamond and red enamel shirt studs in 18k yellow gold

 Theo Fennell carnelian and diamond cufflinks in 18k yellow gold

Theo Fennell carnelian and diamond cufflinks in 18k yellow gold

 Theo Fennell Firefly stick pin with a 1.19 carat pear-cut pink tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Theo Fennell Firefly stick pin with a 1.19 carat pear-cut pink tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold

Cufflinks are, on the whole, made to celebrate the passions and character of their wearer, whether as a gift or as a personal commission, says Fennell. The allusion to the wearer can be as subtle or as overt as they wish, and they can be as classic and chic or as theatrical as they want. Many men find anything but the most classic of rings, brooches and bracelets difficult to wear as there is still a residue of conservatism and a lack of opulence with those men who don’t have the peacock mindset. But, with cufflinks, you can make an overt statement without shouting.

Jeremy Dunn’s AGTA Spectrum Award-winning cufflinks with peach garnets and blue sapphires in platinum

Jeremy Dunn’s AGTA Spectrum Award-winning cufflinks with peach garnets and blue sapphires in platinum

Perhaps the art of wedding day cufflinks is therefore finding something classic, refined and a little bit special. Take for instance the 2020 AGTA Spectrum Award winning cufflinks by Jeremy Dunn, which secured the top prize in the menswear category for a striking combination of peach garnets (with a total weight of 5.83 carats), 1.35 carats of blue sapphires and an engraved platinum ‘frame’.

Deakin & Francis amethyst bouton cufflinks with a ruby centre in 18k yellow gold

Deakin & Francis amethyst bouton cufflinks with a ruby centre in 18k yellow gold

 Deakin & Francis round crystal cufflinks with sapphire centre stones set in 18k yellow gold

Deakin & Francis round crystal cufflinks with sapphire centre stones set in 18k yellow gold

 Deakin & Francis nephrite bouton cufflinks with a ruby centre in 18k yellow gold

Deakin & Francis nephrite bouton cufflinks with a ruby centre in 18k yellow gold

 Deakin & Francis onyx cufflinks with diamonds in 18k white gold

Deakin & Francis onyx cufflinks with diamonds in 18k white gold

 A pair of yellow gold mounted lapis lazuli and diamond cufflinks by Boucheron  (Paris, c.1935), courtesy of Wartski

A pair of yellow gold mounted lapis lazuli and diamond cufflinks by Boucheron (Paris, c.1935), courtesy of Wartski

 A pair of yellow gold and enamel cufflinks by Cartier (Paris, c.1930), courtesy of Wartski

A pair of yellow gold and enamel cufflinks by Cartier (Paris, c.1930), courtesy of Wartski

Pieces of this significance are the mementos of a wedding that can be passed down from one generation to the next. This makes men’s cufflinks just as much an heirloom as a diamond engagement ring, but instead of journeying from one finger to the next, they’re passed from hand to hand ready for that annual moment when a man dons a dress shirt and wants to aesthetically impress.

Bridal Week: Part I – Jewellery Love Stories from Around the Globe

continue reading

White Hot: Achromatic Jewellery is Having a Moment

Let’s explore the revival of all white jewellery and discover why this look is universally complementary – and a great investment.  

by Rachael Taylor

Reinventing Royalty: The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology 

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For April, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Watches and Wonders 2025: Eight of the Most Artful Dials 

From lovers kissing on a bridge to precious animals painted in enamel or gems, this year’s watch launches included timepieces with extraordinary dials that blur the line between watchmaking and wearable art.

by Rachael Taylor

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Reinventing Royalty:The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For April, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.