Brooches & Cufflinks

Brooches are pins featuring reasonably large central cut jewellery which is usually surrounded by diamonds and pearls. Women tend to attach these brooches to the necklines of their dresses. At the beginning of the century, women would tend to pin their brooches more towards the centre of their necklines or used to attach the brooch to a ribbon which is tied tightly around their necks.

Brooches can be worn in several different ways, on different items of clothing such as coat lapels, hats, scarves, dresses, blouses and also handbags. Antique brooches can add a sense of glamour and vintage feel to your outfit. They can be used for both functional and decorative uses; it gives an elegant look whilst serving its purpose of holding a garment together when needed. Value for brooches depend on what it is made from as it can be made from various precious metals, the condition it is in itself and how old the brooch actually is.

The earliest form of brooches date back to the Bronze age, when they were founded by archaeologists who had named them ‘fibula’ which is a Latin term referring to a decorative clasp that was used by the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Germanic people and several other tribes in Europe. It was originally shaped equivalent to the size of a large safety pin used to hold clothing together. Brooches over time have become a fashionable and a statement piece of jewellery.

There is a wide variety of brooches for people to choose from, some are made from gold or silver, others decorated with gemstones or enamel. Brooches can be seen as wedding accessories or can simply be used for a summer outfit, showing that brooches can be used for any occasion necessary. During the Victorian era brooches became increasingly popular to have them incorporated in a portrait and hairstyles which was first used to convey mourning but then developed into keep sakes for loved ones.

Cufflinks are one of the few versatile men’s jewellery accessories which can incorporate precious and semi-precious gemstones that are designed by leading jewellery brands to suit different occasions. The trend of cufflinks started in the 16th century when French King Louis XIV took to the throne in 1643. It was made into decorative glass versions with chains and started the fashion of men wearing extravagant jewellery styles. It is past of gentleman dress had such accessories which provided them with a way to express, appear confident, composed and self-aware.