There are many different types of engraved cufflinks, and engravings are not limited to initials. Words, insignia, or symbolic images can be engraved as well. The best engraved cufflinks will be affordable and meet your needs, whether you intend to wear them once or regularly for many years to come. Design and materials should match your aesthetic taste since cufflinks come in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes.
Engraved cufflinks can be classic, modern, whimsical, or trendy. If you are purchasing cufflinks as an accessory that you only intend to wear once or twice, a trendy cufflink may be appropriate. Many are designed with sports themes, ironic symbols, or in flamboyant and extravagant styles. You can also find cufflinks which, although they are not engraved, are made in the shape of initials or single letters.
For cufflinks that will be worn often for many years, it is better to choose a high-quality, elegant style that is appropriate for many occasions. A simple silver cufflink with script or print lettering can be worn in formal and informal situations, making the cufflink more versatile. Silver, gold, and platinum do not rust or tarnish, and scratches can be polished away by a goldsmith. You should choose a metal that coordinates with other metals that you often wear, like your wedding band or class ring.
Many hard metals also provide excellent durability at less expensive prices than precious metals. Tungsten carbide, titanium, and stainless steel are good alternatives which are not easily misshaped through everyday wear and tear. Check with the seller before purchasing as many hard metals cannot be engraved without specialized equipment. Silver and gold, on the other hand, can be engraved by most jewelers.
Regardless of the type of metal you choose, the design itself should be pleasing and practical. Large, bejeweled cufflinks may make a fashion statement, but a flat faced style will be less likely to snag fabric, which can cause damage to clothing as well as the cufflinks. Furthermore, if the cufflink is so large and heavy that it is uncomfortable to wear, you should keep shopping.
Precious metals and cufflinks with gemstones are the most expensive, but there are many lower priced options available in other metals and synthetic gems. Even if you want a jeweled cufflink, you should be able to find some to fit even a tight budget, although the stones may be synthetic and the metal gold or silver plated. In many cases, the faux cufflinks will look identical to the authentic, and only time will reveal the difference as the metals fade and corrode.
If you purchase engraved cufflinks, set with precious stones, it is important to determine the quality of the stone. Usually the higher the clarity of the stone, the higher the price. Diamonds that are very clear with very little color are often the most expensive, but beware of merchants who price diamond cufflinks at too-good-to-be-true prices. Cubic zirconia, or synthetic diamonds, are typically flawless and are actually a good alternative to diamonds for the budget conscious. It takes a diamond tester tool to tell the real from the fake, so have the engraved cufflinks verified if you question their authenticity.