I cannot believe how many pairs of sterling silver FineARF Cuff links have gotten married this year.
Or at least went to a wedding. I think a lot has to do with wanting to bring your beloved dog who cannot make the moment for various reasons. The Cuff link is the next best thing to having them there. I can talk for hours on Cuff links.
First, let’s talk about how we make the links. Naturally they are made in our studio. We start with the Classic Large Silver Dog charm or one of our 20 new sterling silver three dimensional dog heads that pop up from the cuff. Eye catching, and who wouldn’t want to be complimented on what they’ve chosen to wear. I might be the designer, but my customer found, chose, bought and wore what they loved.
We take the ring of the sterling silver dog charm, file it down and heat the piece for soldering. The charm has already been polished so once the Cuff link is soldered, polishing is not as difficult as it would be had I not polished first. The solder is melted onto the heavier of the 2 parts being assembled, and proceed to heat and wait for the liquid solder to flow and bang, remove the heat and into the pickle. The pickle removes the flux which was added to make the solder stay at the center of the back of the dog, ready for the finding.
Our Cuff link backs have changed. This is a big deal and a gift I am giving to my customers. COVID has made it difficult procuring all the pieces and parts we use to make our jewelry. Of course I ran out of Cuff link backs. In 29 years I have never waited more than 3 days for sterling silver Cuff link findings. Of course, there was a 6 week wait. I had an anxious groom wanting his Pit Bulls at the ceremony so I asked if they had another style. I heard many out of stock before they mentioned the best and most expensive the made. I buy whatever we don’t make, like chain and findings in providence RI. Nothing you will buy from us was made in China, at least that’s what I hope. With all the goods coming from China, my USA sources have had to stop inventorying and manufacture as ordered. Luckily these Cuff link backs were too expensive for production lines and I was able to get them immediately, making my promise to the groom a reality. So David Yurman and I (we get our chains from the same source) are forced to wait 6 weeks, or start inventorying more chain. I decided I loved the new backs so much I would start using them instead of my classics.
The 3d Dog Head Cuff Links are far more complicated and are a little more because of it. The problem comes from the weight of the head and the amount of heat needed to attach the Cuff link finding in not one but 2 places. I’ve found myself soldering one side in place only to have it fall off while heating the piece for the other side. Patience.
I would be a fool not to take this opportunity in introduce you to our 250 sterling silver charms that have nothing to do with dogs. We make Cuff links for everyone, including fly fishing vests for the Trout Man, a Frog Prince, very popular for husbands, all kinds of adorable African Animals, including a camel (very good omen). We make Cuff links for Equestrians, Deep Sea Divers, Footballers (Soccer), and people that like to eat and drink. We have charms for many countries, and airplanes to get you there. Cuff links are a great special occasion gift that gives you the giver a chance to choose something so suited to your friend, they will usurp all others in the Cuff link tray.
I thought Covid would kill our Cuff links business because there were no parties or weddings. But boy are we making up for it now! Please take a look at what we have pictured as Cuff links made. Almost all the photos were made with out original Cuff link back, but I made a pair to shoot with the new back. I hope you like them as much as I do.
Go to parties and wear FineARF Cuff links. Not one pair has ever been returned.
