Monday, May 26, 2008

Enamel Cufflinks

Amongst the most attractive substances used today to craft jewelry and fine art we find enamel. This material can be obtained by the combination of powdered glass and high levels of heat. The physical appearance of the material can be compared to soft glass because it has a glossy consistency which is a perfect complement to any object made of metal or related materials which are used by artists.

Enamel is also referred to as vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel which is commonly used in the US. The amount of work that is required in order to manufacture a good-looking enamel cufflink is quite surprising for starters, the enamel needs to be carefully melted at the right temperature in order to create a material comparable to glass and which has the hardness of a much stronger material, the enamel which is placed on cufflinks is reinforced by the beautiful metal which is used beneath it.

Once the powdered glass is melted at the right temperature it can then be combined with the main coloring agent which is a metallic oxide, the color of the enamel is determined by the amount of the materials used in the mixture and not by the amount of oxide. When it comes to cufflinks this material often projects a great sense of style and sophistication which can't be achieved by wearing only metallic cufflinks.

Interesting facts about the enamel cufflinks:

In order for powdered glass to become enamel it needs to be heated between 750 and 850° Celsius, the hardened material is referred to as frit, in other parts of the world such as France it is called Fondant.

The word Enamel is said to come from the German word "smelzan" which means to smelt, this word is in turn derived from the old French word "esmail"

As futuristic as the material might appear to be it actually has been around for a while in fact, the ancient Egyptians applied enamel to art pieces made of stone as well as other pottery artifacts, subsequently the Greeks, Chinese, Celts, Russian, etc. begin use this material to coat their metal objects.

Enamel is a very strong and durable material which is also chemically resistant, can assume brilliant and glossy colors, it has a smooth surface and can't burn.

Since this is a very flexible material there have been many methods for enameling an object, one of these methods is called "Cloisonné" which is a French word that means cell, this method involves the use of wires which act as barriers in order to separate different tones of Enamel which can be placed on top of a metal. Other methods of enameling are Basse-taille, Champlevé, Grisaille, Limoges enamel, Plique-à-jour and many others.

Great Examples of Delicate Enamel Cufflinks are:

NEW Square Red Enamel Cuff Links: these enamel cuff links are very elegant because they combine the futuristic look of rhodium as well as silver, Enamel is used to coat these fine materials in order to give them a glossy look.
Classic Black Enamel Square Cuff Links: black is the color which brings out the most attractive features of enamel which is combine with silver in order to create the perfect cufflink.
NEW Silver Superman Cuff Links: who doesn't like the attractive Superman logo? -- these cufflinks were designed specially for those who love this great superhero and want to enjoy the elegant look of the color black, silver and glossy enamel.
Retro 1970's Inspired Blue Enamel Cuff Links: back to basics or back to the future? -- these blue cufflinks provide the best of both worlds, a feature a soothing tone of blue which is perfectly complemented with the smooth appearance that enamel gives to this material.

Pink Cufflinks

Pink is an extremely beautiful color, it takes on the properties of the color red and mixes it with the beauty and simplicity of the color white. Just like the color red, pink can cause a person's heartbeat to increase, the respiration and blood pressure can increase as well just by looking at this eye-catching color.

People who use this pink are said to be very passionate, sexy, confident and in some cases care-free. This last statement is used because the color pink is related to youth, a time when there was nothing to worry about and we lived happily. The tones of pink people use can project an aggressive personality or a softer more carrying one. Those who use this color are also believed to live a happy life.

The color pink is used in rooms in order to reduce erratic behavior, it is also linked to the exquisite New York fashion and punk urban styles which bring sexy back. When someone gives flowers pink blossoms are usually the favorite because the color is not very common and also because it represents passion and romance.

Interesting facts about the color pink:

In sports, light pink is said to be a color which calms and helps people relax this is also why some teams paint the opposing team's locker room with this color, a small advantage is still an advantage. - When it comes to strength-based olympic performance males loose strength when they see a great deal of pink and women gain strength when they are around the color.

Pink makes people crave sugar which is why sweets taste better when they are served in pink plates or come out of a pink box. In the same note, the flavor of pink is related to cotton candy and grapefruit.

Did you know that during the times of Nazis homosexuals were labeled with a pink triangle which represented their sexual orientation?

In Catholic belief pink represents happiness and joy.
Marrakesh is known as the "Rose city" because of the color of its buildings, the reddish color of the ground.

In Japan the color pink is associated with males because it is linked to Sakura trees (cherry blossoms) that is used to represent the young Japanese warriors who died in battle while young (referring to samurai warriors)

Great Examples of Pink Cufflinks are:

Stunning Pink Mother of Pearl Cuff Links: These are absolutely exquisite pink cufflinks which are rhodium-plated and have been polished to perfection, they feature several tones of pink which are sure to grab people's attention.
Curved Pink CZ Crystal Cuff Links: The many beautiful pink stones in these silver cufflinks is nothing less than elegant and sophisticated, they make a clear fashion statement.
Pink & Pearl Silk Knot Cuff Links Trio: Small, delicate and extremely elegant. These cufflinks are made from real silk and the threads have been carefully intertwined, perfect for those who love simplicity.
Pink Strawberry Silk Knot Cuff Links: Just like the Pink & Pearl Silk Knot trio, these full sized cufflinks are simple, elegant and are made with the most beautiful tone of pink silk you could find.

Purple Cufflinks

Few colors can convey many sensations, this is where the color purple comes in because purple is one of them. Purple takes on the properties of the color red which produces motion and causes people to get excited and at the same time it blends the properties of the color blue in the entire mix. Blue is known for being a soothing calmed color which encourages concentration and productivity.

There are many tones of purple, in darker clearly defined purple tones this color helps people relax (blue properties) if the tones are high on the other hand it can cause uneasiness, but for the most part the color purple people use is somewhat darker or lighter which can uplift those who see this color, it can calm our minds and nerves and just like the color blue encourage creativity.

It has also been said that the color purple offers a sense of spirituality which sets it apart from other colors and tones. People who use this color send the message of being independent, creative, individualistic, romantic and very original. This color is also said to be related to New York fashion and NY urban style.

Interesting facts about the color purple:

The color purple is said to represent "pride" in Christian belief. Some say that priests who use this particular color are being proud of having knowledge which leads to God. It is also used to represent advent and Lent.

When purple objects are used in small spaces they often makes the place appear to be larger, this theory has actually been tested in gardens where it is said that this color visually recedes and and makes a small place feel larger.

Violet, a tone of purple is said to be the color of the "crown chakra" which is directly linked to our mind, our nervous system and it is also a representation of pure thoughts. Those who use the color purple or surround themselves by purple are said to be able to open the chakra which connects to infinite consciousness and also provides deep spiritual understanding.

In United States politics the color purple is used to represent balance, for instance those states which have an equal distribution of members of the Republican and Democrat parties are said to be purple states.

In countries such as Japan and those with similar belief system, the color purple is used to represent wealth and great social position.

Great Examples of Purple Cufflinks are:

Circular "On Target" Purple Cuff Links: These rhodium-plated purple cufflinks are very elegant and a definitive must have for those who like the way silver blends and contrasts with the color purple. These cufflinks have a glossy finish which makes them even more attractive to the human eye.
Traditional Rectangular Plum Striped Cuff Links: The perfect cufflinks for those who go for the elegant look while showing a trendy and futuristic design.
Plum Purple Silk Knot Cuff Links: These are the perfect cufflinks for those who love simplicity and love the effect purple has in people, they are carefully hand made with real silk.
Plum Purple & Cream Silver Silk Knot Cuff Links: Just like the already mentioned cufflinks these have a simple yet elegant design in two thread tones, silver and purple which soothes and calms people.

Black Cufflinks

Black is a mystic color which absorbs all other colors without reflecting any, it entices strong emotions which can be overwhelming at some point, it is often related to power and authority as we see today in most of the greatest business men outfits.

The use of the color black in outfits can often make the person who wears it look thinner, classy and very elegant. Black cufflinks give the feeling of perspective and depth especially when it is combined with bright colors creating an aggressive color scheme which always grabs attention in a positive way. The use of the color black in cuff links is meant to balance the contrast of other colors which may be combined with it resulting in an elegant mixture that is why it is perceived as a symbol of prestige.

Facts about the color black:

In Chinese culture the color black is associated with winter, water and north. This association corresponds to their beliefs about the five elements, the seasons and directions. The five elements are water, wood, earth, fire and wind, this concept varies from among different beliefs, others say that the five elements are earth, air, water, fire and spirit.

Black implies weight, when people compare two identical objects, one white and the other black, they often deduce that the black one is heavier than the white one; interestingly enough when a person wears this color people perceive a thinner figure which is the opposite perception.

The color black is associated with sophistication and elegance. Limousines, tuxedos, Judge's robes are all typically black. In social events and important meetings, black, is an unspoken standard which is why these events are referred to as "black tie events"

Black is a silent and uncharted color which reflects power, wealth and sophistication. Black is said to produce a real sensation even if the color implies a total absence of light which is at the same time different from the lack of all sensation.

Great examples of elegant black cufflinks are:

Silver and Black Compass Cuff Links: These are perfect to brake away from the routine and are most certainly unique.
Black Enamel Labyrinth Cuff Links: Those who have mysterious lives will love the unique design and exquisite finish of these silver and black cuff links.
Stunning Circular CZ Diamond Black Cufflinks: These are absolutely one of the most elegant cuff link designs you will find, with carefully placed stones and black enamel these high end cufflinks are perfect for professionals and business people.
Silver Superman Cufflinks: For the Superman fan these cufflinks are a must have. The black background and silver finish is perfect to keep an elegant look and project the beauty of the superman symbol.

Cuff Links Man is without a doubt the best online cufflink shop where you can acquire high-end and hard to find black cuff links for every social occasion.

Silver Cufflinks

Silver is a metallic shade which is often attributed to the metal of the same name, one of the most important features this color has is that it can't be reproduced by the combination of any other color, silver takes the properties of the color gray and enhances it with its metallic characteristics.

Other colors have certainly been enhanced to resemble the natural characteristics of silver which gives them a glossy look, however when it comes to Cufflinks there are very few colors which create balance and elegance. Cufflinks which use polished silver are often seen as elegant and expensive items when they are compared with other cufflinks made of different materials, the way the light is smoothly transferred and reflected by this material which bears a soothing color can create the feeling of peace and relaxation.

Silver Cufflinks are often mixed with some other color in order to break expectation and the feeling this color and material tends to produce in people.

Interesting facts about the color silver:

The human eye can recognize and perceive over 500 different shades of gray when it comes to silver this number increases, the variations depend on the way light is aimed at the material, reflected and perceived by our eyes which are said to be able to differentiate among 10 million colors.

Silver is used to represent the color for lent in Christianity.

Gray and silver are often associated with intelligence, people often refer to "gray matter" as the material our brain is made of, this is all in an effort to express someone's intelligence, the use of silver objects projects the same message about the person using it.

Silver is often used to create the sensation of cold temperature. Several commercial products use the word "silver" as well as paint which has properties which resemble silver in order to make a statement, a clear example of the use of "silver" could be recalled by the multiple beer commercials which mentioned the "silver bullet" - Coors.
The message sent by wearing silver cuff links is that you like futuristic looks and elegance.

Great Examples of Silver Cufflinks are:

Laser Frosted Silver Cuff Links: These are the perfect example of cool looking cuff links which project elegance.
Gear Shifter Silver Cuff Links: For those who love speed and great looks these silver cuff links are one of a kind.
Four Ace Playing Cards Cuff Links: If you want people to think of the song "Luck be a lady" - Frank Sinatra when they see your cuff links then this is the best pair to go for.
Silver Dollar Cuff Links: Nothing says wealth and power like these carefully polished silver cuff links, they are perfect to project that million dollar look most people go for.