Eagle Claw Cufflinks with Lapis Lazuli Balls - 925 Sterling Silver Gold Plated - Fort Belvedere

Practical jewelry that keeps your shirt sleeves or shirtfront neatly closed represents a critical intersection between form and function. At Fort Belvedere, our line of cufflinks and shirt studs possesses the vintage charm of timeless designs coupled with modern convenience and functionality.

Reviving the tradition of beautifully crafted cufflinks with intricate detailing and even precious stones on both the obverse and reverse, you will find no boring T-bar cufflinks here. Likewise, our collection of shirt studs comes in a variety of metals to perfectly complement any evening ensemble, with thick protective coatings that will never wear off.

Handcrafted by German master jewelers and designed to last, these cufflinks and shirt studs from Fort Belvedere will become treasured family heirlooms that you will be proud to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

Cufflinks have been used for over a century to close men’s shirt sleeves, positioned, originally, at the top of the cuff before moving to the bottom. Through the decades, quality construction and elegant design have always set superlative cufflinks apart from mediocre cufflinks.

Classic cufflinks during the Golden Age of Menswear were designed to be works of art viewable from all sides. Therefore, both the front and back of the cufflinks were beautifully decorated on both the faces and the post, often with intricate details and even precious stones. Soon, however, the cheaper and easier-to-make T-bar cufflink gained prominence, and genuine double-sided cufflinks were worn only by menswear connoisseurs.

Believing that cufflinks are an extension of the style and personality of the wearer, Fort Belvedere has revived the classic, timeless, and elegant cufflinks that look just as lovely in the back as they do in the front, because every aspect of a gentleman’s wardrobe should be refined and beautiful.

Inspired by aquiline imagery that has proliferated for millennia as a symbol of strength and dignity, these cufflinks depict finely carved eagle claws grasping balls made from a semi-precious stone. Handcrafted by master jewelers, these cufflinks are intended to stand the test of time, both as a timeless style icon and in the literal sense.

These cufflinks are sized according to the refined and understated conventions of the Golden Age of Menswear and were rigorously tested with shirts with cuff buttonholes ranging from 13 to 19 mm, or .5” to .75,” to ensure an elegant position and a secure hold. You can see how they sit firmly in a shirt cuff from the associated pictures, but for your reference, please find the exact dimensions below.

Length: 35mm or 1.38"

Large Ball Diameter: Approximately 12mm or 0.48"

Small Ball Diameter: Approximately 8mm - 0.32." Please note that the additional width created by the claws around the smaller ball ensures a secure fit within the cufflink buttonhole.

Weight: 14 grams.

What makes these Fort Belvedere Solid Gold Eagle Claw Cufflinks so special?

●   Handmade Artisanal Construction. Just like a bespoke suit, the quality offered by a handmade piece of jewelry is beyond compare. These eagle claw cufflinks were inspired by the vintage masterpieces created by Jean Michel Schlumberger, who famously designed men’s cufflinks for Tiffany & Company. With that same dedication to craft, and a desire to emulate the elegant and timeless motif of the eagle, we designed and made our own cufflinks. At every stage of production, from the carving of the design, the casting of the metal, and the setting of the semi-precious stone ball, the work is done by hand. 

●   Intricate Detail. Our unrivaled production process makes it possible to emphasize the tiniest details in these beautiful eagle claw cufflinks. Each cufflink is balanced with a post of sufficient length to ensure a secure, well-positioned fit with double-cuffed shirts that will not snag or catch on the buttonhole thanks to the perfectly sized balls at either end. The eagle’s claws are proportional and intricate, and each ball is securely set in place. The entire piece is also built to last and will become a treasured heirloom for your family for generations. 

●  Quality Lapis Lazuli. Once treasured as more valuable than gold, lapis lazuli is a deep, rich blue that pairs effortlessly with most of the colors in menswear. Unlike inferior examples of this semi-precious stone, Fort Belvedere’s lapis lazuli does not feature the lighter shades of blue typical of lower-quality stones. Because this semi-precious stone is natural, there will be subtle variations that make each stone unique, and your stones will vary from those seen in the pictures.  

●   Cast in Solid 925 Sterling Silver. The overwhelming majority of modern cufflinks are made hollow to save time and money. Because of our dedication to functionality and appearance, Fort Belvedere refused to compromise in this way and all of our cufflinks are cast in solid 925-fineness sterling silver. Not only does this give the cufflinks a pleasing heft in your hand, but the solid construction also improves durability and helps the cufflink sit securely in your sleeve.

●   Brilliant Gold Plating. Traditionally, silver that is heavily plated with gold is referred to as vermeil, and with the thick, protective layer of yellow gold we have laid on these cufflinks, they certainly qualify. Gold is a timeless classic, and our deep, rich gold will perfectly complement your outfits at any formality level. A thick plating ensures that the gold will not rub off with regular wear and imparts a rich luster that will truly stand the test of time and allows you to enjoy the look and feel of solid gold cufflinks, easily valued at over $2,000, for a fraction of the cost.

●   Timeless Design. With their fine carving and close attention to detail, these eagle claw cufflinks are truly works of art. By combining the organic and natural lines of the eagle’s claw with the smooth roundness of the semi-precious stone balls, these cufflinks can be easily dressed up or down to suit a variety of formalities. Their unique design is a welcome departure from the traditionally boring look of many dress cufflinks, and the ability to mix and match different metals and stones provides an almost unlimited color palette for various outfits and wardrobes.  

●   Hypoallergenic & Nickel-Free. Most gold or platinum plating today contains nickel, an allergen that prevents many men from wearing plated jewelry. At Fort Belvedere, we have taken the extra step to ensure that none of our metal goods contain nickel, so even if you have had issues with other jewelry makers, you can confidently wear Fort Belvedere jewelry without concern or risk.

Ideally, you should wear these studs with a tuxedo shirt or a white tie Marcella pique or boiled front shirt and the matching cufflinks with platinum trimmings. So if your cufflinks, watch or watch chain or fob is silver or platinum, stick with these. Traditionally, the accessories of a white tie ensemble have always been platinum. 

So if you want one dress set that works with a tuxedo, a tailcoat, and cufflinks that can we worn to the office or with a tweed jacket, then this is the right set for you. 

If you want to wear, gold accessories go with gold studs. We offer them not just in yellow gold Vermeil but also in Rose Gold plated Sterling silver because these three colors have traditionally been the trinity of menswear jewelry colors. In terms of versatility, these platinum are best because they are formal enough for white tie, yet look good with a tweed sport coat or a navy blazer.

To learn more about black-tie etiquette check out our ultimate black tie guide and here you can find everything about white tie ensembles.