The Cufflinkking's Glossary Page

Click the alphabet representing the first letter in the word or abbreviation you want a definition for or
scroll this window to view all definitions.

This page is a constant work in progress and if you have any questions or suggestions to make, feel free to contact us for I am happy to consider your definitions for this page.

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THE CUFFLINKS PICTURED BELOW ARE ONLY USED AS REFERENCE AND ARE
NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE

     ABALONE = A cut portion of shell from an abalone. (an oyster-like shellfish)
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            BALL-BACK CUFFLINK = This type of cufflink has a closure mechanism shaped like a ball which is usually attached
to a rod (either bent or straight). The ball and/or the rod can be either hollow or solid.
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            BARBELL CUFFLINK = This is a cufflink that resembles, in shape, the old barbells; that is to say a straight, sometimes
bent bar or rod with a ball at both ends. The balls and/or the bar can be either hollow or solid.
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            BASE METAL = A mixture of tin, antimony and copper used in making costume jewelry. It is usually plated with a precious
metal like gold or silver.
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             BEAN-BACK CUFFLINK = This is a type of cufflink that has a closure mechanism shaped like a bean which is usually
attached to a rod (either bent or straight). The bean and/or the rod can be either hollow or solid.
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            BRIDGE CONNECTION = A flattened bridge-shaped connection between a double-sided cufflink or a pivot link.
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            CABACHON = A polished dome shape. Cabachons can be round, oval or slightly squared. They can be made of natural
or man-made gems including glass.
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            CALIBRE CUT = Gems or glass cut so that the top ( the table ) is square shaped. The rest of the stone can be faceted in
many ways. The size is usually small to medium. Frequently they are used in groupings to create a window pane effect.
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            CAMEO = 1-3 layers of stone, porcelain, shell or glass cut or molded in releif. In shells and 2-3 layered stones, the
natural coloring produces different shading which is directly related to the depth of the carving.
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CIPHER = A monogram of intertwined letters.
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            COIL-BACK = This is not a true cufflink, although they can be used for the purpose. They have a closure mechanism shaped
like a two ring coil. There need not be a button hole to use these fabric fasteners. They are also known as pigtails.
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            CONVERTS = These are cufflinks that have been made from buttons, service or lapel pins, studs or anything modified and
turned into a cufflink.
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        CUFF-BUTTON = These are Victorian accessories which resemble the large Victorian buttons, but have a fixed, mechanical or
pivotable back for insertion into the button hole of the cuff.
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            DAMASCENE = The art of encrusting or inlaying a metal in other metals.
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            DOUBLE-SIDED CUFFLINK (DBL-SD) = When both the viewing side of a cufflink and the closing side of a cufflink
are identical. Normally this type of cufflink is joined together by a chain, a bar, a rod, a bridge or a wrench.
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            DRESS SET = This can be a pair of cufflinks and 3-4 matching studs or it can be a pair of cufflinks, 3-4 matching studs
and 4 matching vest buttons. Many times these sets came in beautiful custom fitted boxes.
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            ENGINE-TURNING = This is a metal decorating technique in which intricate patterned lines are engraved/incised into
a metals surface by a special lathe. Frequently this beautiful precise decorating is covered with a
transparent fired enamel.
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            ESSEX CRYSTAL = This technique was developed in Essex, England and thus the name. These quartz gemstones are either
faceted then decorated underneath with gold wire & foil or intaglio cut cabochons which are reverse painted. The cabachons
crystals will exhibit a 3-dimensional effect.


            ETCHED = To scratch or chemically burn a design, a pattern or a scene into the surface of an object.
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            FILLIGREE = Ornamental designs made by bending, twisting and soidering thin metal wire. The wire can be made from
gold, silver, copper or brass.
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            FOOTBALL-BACK CUFFLINK = This type of cufflink has a closure mechanism shaped like a football which is usually
attached to a rod (either bent or straight). The football and/or the rod can be either hollow or solid.
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            GUILLOCHE = When a transluscent enamel is placed atop a geometrically engraved pattern in metal. The enamel can
be any color so long as it is transparent.
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            INTAGLIO = When a flat surface is carved inward to create an image(S). The result resembles that of a butter or cookie mold.
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            MOSAIC = A technique of inlaying small pieces of colored stone, ceramic or glass to create a design, image or scene.
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            MOTHER OF PEARL (MOP) = A cut portion of shell from the inside of an oyster or clam. The standard color is white.
Mother of Pearl [ m.o.p.] can be carved, dyed and/or etched.
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            NIELLO = A technique of filling a recessed surface of metal, almost always silver, with a black metallic mixture and then
polishing smooth. A good example of this work can be seen in many pieces of silver Siam jewelry.
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            PASTE = This is colored or clear glass, often lead or flint, which is cut in the same manner as gemstones. Antique paste
was valued on it's own merit and not viewed as an imitation of a precious gemstone.
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            PIETRA DURA = A type of mosaic where flat pieces of agate, malachite, jasper, lapis and chalcedony are inlaid into onyx
or another stone and polished flat to create a picture-like image or scene.
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            PIQUE = Tortoise shell or ivory which has been inlaid with M.O.P. gold, silver and/or other metals.
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            PIVOT LINK = Normally this type of cufflink will have it's viewing side immobilly attached to a wrench, rod or bridge
connector with it's closing side capable of pivoting 90 degrees in two directions. Occasionally, both the viewing
side and the closing side of a pivot link will pivot 90 degrees in two directions.
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            REVERSE PAINTING ON GLASS (REPOG) = This is cabachon glass which has a carved or molded intaglio underside
that has been painted. Like the essex crystal, when viewed thru the top, the image(s) appear to be 3-dimensional.
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            SHIRT STUD = These are small removable ornamental accessories which are worn on the front of a shirt in place
of buttons. Traditionally they were sold in sets of 3. They were also included in the dress sets. The plain
gold-filled and gold one's could also be purchased by the piece.
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            SINGLE-SIDED CUFFLINK (S-SD) = When a cufflink has only one viewing side because the
closing side of the cufflink is a pivot, a toggle, a ball or a bean.
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            SNAP LINK CUFFLINK = These cufflinks have two viewing sides and four components. Two
components snap together to form one cufflink. They were only made during the 1920's.
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            SPOOL CUFFLINK (brand name) = Two round flat disc with a stationary rod between the two.
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            SUPPORTIVE-BACK CUFFLINK = This type of cufflink has a closure mechanism that is completely different from the
viewing side, yet has a supportive motif. A example of this kind of cufflink might be one which has a viewing side
shaped like a baseball and a closing side shaped like a baseball bat.
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            TOGGLE LINK = This is a type of cufflink that has a closure mechanism which consists of two parallel bars, immobilly
attached to the viewing side of the link with a hollow closed cylinder shaped or closed roof shaped piece that can rotate
a full 360 degrees between the two parallel bars.
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       VERMEIL = This silver or sterling which has been guilded or plated with gold.
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            WRAP-A-ROUND CUFFLINKS = These are cufflinks that have a band that wraps around, either partially or totally,
the side of the cuff. This band may be fixed or removable. The band may be the viewing side or merely attached to it.
The band may be solid, however in most cases it is a metal mesh.
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            WRENCH CONNECTION = A connection between the viewing side (VS) and the closing side (CS) of a cufflink which
resembles a wrench.
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            YOYO LINK = This cufflink resembles a YoYo. Two round flat disc with a stationary rod between the two.
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