Custom Boulder Opal Cufflinks |
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Boulder Opal Cufflinks |
| Boulder Opals are featured in these custom made 18kt
yellow gold cufflinks. Our client is an avid collector and
admirer of antique cufflinks, having purchased a number of
stylish Art Deco links from us over the years.
For his 50th birthday, his wife wanted to get him something truly special. She knew that he had long admired a spectacular Boulder Opal Split from our Gemstone Gallery. From there she and I worked together to create a bold yet sophisticated cufflink design to showcase these " down under" beauties.
 Each cufflink holds a stunning oval boulder opal split, set within six prongs in a recessed heavy oval frame. This recessed frame protects the opals by keeping them below the surface of the metal and less likely to be hit or knocked during normal wear. The back link of this set is a slightly smaller oval disc that we hand engraved with a flowing foliate plume design. This view displays the varied and vivid colors throughout the boulder opals, featuring a predominance of blues and greens, a strong splash of reds and a twinkle of yellows, oranges and violets. Really a wonderful array of rich vibrant hues that change with every move and direction. From this angle you can see the sturdy frame of the front links and the richly detailed backside.
 Our engraver meticulously created rich flowing lines to form a full foliate plume - the embodiment of elegance and sophisticated design. We then set four round brilliant cut diamonds within sunburst motifs for a touch of sparkling brilliance.
 The infinity symbol design of this connector link also has great significance to the gentleman for whom we created these spectacular cufflinks. The link is based on the "Lemniscate" of Bernoulli which is essentially a figure eight or infinity symbol. The name is derived from the Latin term "Lemniscus" which means "pendant ribbon". Early cufflinks sold by the Tiffany firm also incorporated a similar Lemniscate type link. If it was good enough for Tiffany's one hundred years ago.... we think it is good enough for our designs today!  When a jewel is completed to our satisfaction we sign it with our registered hallmark ("BELtd") for Bijoux Extraordinaire, Ltd. We also note the purity of the precious metals, in this case 18kt Yellow Gold ("750") These marks are your assurance of imaginative design, uncompromising craftsmanship, beautiful gemstones and lasting quality. By now you may be wondering, what is the significance of the lemniscate to our client? He is an actuary and finance expert for a Fortune 500 Firm, with a strong background in higher mathematics. We thought this hidden mathematical element would be the perfect touch to these amazing cufflinks; a feature that would have a special meaning to him. The Boulder Opals featured in these cufflinks are called a "split" because they were cut from the same iron-stone matrix. Opal formed along a crevice within the iron-stone forming a thin seam. The cutter then split the rock in half along this seam, exposing two opal covered stones that match in color, pattern and overall appearance. Both halves were then shaped and polished to create an exceptional pair of kaleidoscopic treasures. Fine quality boulder opal splits are rarer than single stones so the pair of gems in these handsome cufflinks are really very special. To learn more about opals, please visit the Bijoux
Library and enjoy the article: |
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 When we custom create a jewel, it is a collaboration between us, a client and one or more craftsmen who execute the design. Each piece and client is unique, so the craftsmen we choose to work with varies with the challenges and requirements of the design. Our goal is to assure that the beauty of the design is captured in the artistry and craftsmanship of the finish jewel. |
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 There is something to be said for matching pairs.......perhaps the opals in these links represent the two partners in a loving marriage....two peas in a pod, his zig to her zag, her yin to his yang.
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| Name: Boulder Opal Cufflinks |
| Cost: | These cufflinks were custom made for a client. We can
custom create a set of cufflinks in this style for you using a
variety of gemstones in platinum, 18kt yellow gold, rose gold or
even green gold. Please give us a call (603 624-8672)
or send
us an email, to discuss gemstones, design options
and costs.
Please also visit our Custom Design Jewelry Gallery where we feature other innovative designs and jewelry concepts. |
| Measurements: | ||
| The Boulder Opals featured in these cufflinks
weigh 10.5 carats total (for the pair) and measure approximately
15.8 millimeters in length by 10.1 millimeters in width.
The eight small round brilliant cut diamonds weigh a total of
0.07 carats.
The complete cufflink set weighs a total of 26.5 grams. The larger oval front cufflinks in this set measure approximately 19.2 millimeters long by 13.5 millimeters wide. The smaller oval engraved cufflink discs in the set measure approximately 15 millimeters long by 10.5 millimeters wide. The lemniscate connector bar measures 12.5 millimeters long. |
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Above is a close-up of a Vibrant Round Black Opal that would look fabulous in a custom jewel. We work with talented lapidaries to source beautiful gemstones in a variety of exotic colors and cuts. If you would like to create a ring with a stunning opal or perhaps a pair of cufflinks or earrings with a boulder opal split, please give us a call (603 624-8672) or send us an email. Here are a few rings we have created with
beautiful, exotic gemstones.
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Jewelry Experts Home Page Custom Jewelry Gallery
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please contact us at 603 624-8672 or judi@jewelryexpert.com.
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