size: 14mm weight: 7.04 grams material: platinum & 14k rose gold gemstones: natural old euro cut diamonds VS-SI, G-H, 0.40ctw abalone Notes from the Curator These double-sided cufflinks belong to the late Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco arc, recognizable by their old European cut diamonds—hand-cut rounds popular between 1890 and 1930—and the use of abalone shell paired with diamonds, a hallmark combination of Art Deco design. The platinum rim and rose-gold base mirror a two-tone construction favored in the 1920s, when platinum framed colored or iridescent materials to capture their luster without overwhelming the stone. Old European cuts, with their small tables, high crowns, and large open culets, were hand-cut by artisans working under candlelight, yielding a softer, colorful fire designed to glow by gas lamp rather than electric glare. Abalone's iridescence—each facet sparkling uniquely from different angles—is a natural effect, not technological, and it found particular favor in the monochrome, geometric language of the era. The chain-link mechanism typical of double-sided dress sets ensured both faces could be displayed; cufflink collectors today prize examples that preserve both the organic shimmer of shell and the hand-cut geometry of period stones.