Exclusive Interview With Derek Anastasia, King of Enamel Cufflinks
enamel cufflinks. So sit back and enjoy! By Derek Anastasia EnamelCuffLinks.com
For Most Unique & Complete Cufflinks Resource
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1. Hi Derek, what is the greatest satisfaction that you get from collecting enamel cuff links?
2. I understand that enamel cuff link collectors are really a rare breed and your focus is on enamel alone.
I can say it really makes you “The King of Enamel Cuff Links.” What is the greatest challenge you face
when collecting enamel cuff links?
I’m known as ” Baron von Enamel. “
3. Derek, you also provide enamel cuff links appraisal services. What are the basic factors that
you look for when doing a valuation?
Third, the number of colors incorporated in the enamel along with the enamel’s opacity; is it translucent or opaque.
Fourth, the art design that graces the cuff link. Fifth, the age of the cuff links. Sixth, is there a maker’s mark.
And if so, what is the prestige of the maker. And finally, all six factors taken as a whole in no particular order
to ascertain the cuff links proper valuation.
4. Over the years of collecting enamel cuff links which pair of cuff links do you consider to be the most valuable?
However, there’s one pair that stands out above the rest because it’s the pair that I call the ‘Mother of All Enamels’.
Why? Because it has the image on one face of the Tour de Guilloché machine (it’s the hand-cranked lathe that applies the
design on the metal [a.k.a., ‘engine turn’] underneath the enamel) and on the other face it has an image of an industrial firing kiln.
5. Where can a person who just started an enamel cuff link collection find more information?
The Internet is a smorgasbord of information. Further, jewelry dealers at antique shows are excellent
sources of ‘on the cuff’ information.
6. Which pair of cuff links do you wear the most? Do you wear other cuff links other than enamel type?
After all, one must show love to all of one’s children!
7. What makes you focus on collecting enamel cuff links and why is it still so popular?
silica and oxides into enamel … I think others have found the brilliance equally captivating.
8. I saw the National Cuff Link Society’s publication ‘The Link’ mention that enamel cuff links were only 25
cents in the 1920s and subsequently, the price went up to $3.00 in the 1930s. Do you consider that period to
be the peak of enamel cuff link manufacturing?
9. How much can a pair of enamel cuff links be worth if they date back to the 1880s?
the modern day precursor to cuff links. See the answer to question 3. above!
10. Where do you suggest cuff links collectors look for a pair of enamel cuff links to invest in?
the major online auction sites have enamel cuff links worth looking at. Also, visiting antique shows
in your home city is viable sources for hunting these small treasures.
11. In one issue of ‘The Link’ publication, you wrote a two-part article on enamel cuff link restoration.
Is it still common nowadays for people to restore their enamel cuff links?
enamel and not the cheap ”cold enamel” otherwise known as epoxy (using epoxy will totally devalue any pair).
Worldwide, vitreous enamel restoration is a bit of a lost art. More restrictive, is the cost. It’s very expensive
and can price a pair out of their current market value.
12. It seems to me enamel cuff links restoration is a bit of work. Where can we find this form of unique
service and how much does the service cost? How would you consider a pair of enamel cuff links worth restoring?
of the day. The first question to ask is does the restorer use vitreous enamel. If so, great, all other questions follow
such as cost, time it takes to restore, etc. If the restorer uses cold enamel (a.k.a., ‘epoxy’), then think very very hard
about using that restorer; applying epoxy to a cuff link does not make an enamel cuff link … it makes for a plastic cuff link.
If the beholder’s eyes love the pair … well, there you have it.
Special thanks to Derek.
Adwin Ang
http://www.adwinang.com
Cufflinks buying, exclusive interview from experts & information resource site!
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