help dating Embassy Pink Enamel Cufflink and Tieclip set

[laurenm]

Hello there,
I really have no idea what era these are from...the label on the box says Embassy, Fine Jewelry for Men.
Also, they are sort of dirty and I am not sure what would be the best solution with which to clean them up. Any thoughts?
thanks alot,
Lauren

 

[cmpollack]

Oh my, what a wonderful set! I'd say mid/late 50s, between the colorway and style and the size of the tie clip, which is suited for a skinner tie--and not for the jumbo width ones popular in the earlier 50s.

If you do a Google search for "Embassy Jewelry for Men", you'll find quite a few comparables, some a little earlier, most a bit later.

 

[laurenm]

Thanks Carrie. When I did my search I saw the exact same box but most of the cufflinks looked more 'traditional'....now I'm thinking about Mens fashion and pink and will have to do some research! Is using the box to date something problematic? I've had boxed sets of jewelry in presentation cases that are quite 'traditional' (velveteen, tight hinged, plain labelling) for jewelry that ranges quite a bit in era?

 

[foofoogal]

Cute as these are a woman could wear as well.
I believe some department stores had their own lines of cufflinks. Perhaps this could be the case of yours. I have many from a Sears line called Tradition.

 

[laurenm]

I was thinking that myself....I love French cuffs and they'd look so good with so many 'looks'.

 

[cmpollack]

There are a few boxed/carded sets out there (which look late 40s to late 60s to me), and the box design seems to have evolved over time, but you're right that using the box (rather t han the jewelry itself) to date could mislead you. Researching pink color as a vogue in men's midcentury fashion may be a much better way to pinpoint date on these!

 

[Linn]

I agree with mid-late '50's on these. Charcoal mixed with pink or powder blue were very popular color combinations - for men and women. At this point in time, I think the set would appeal to both women and men. I would clean the set with "Jewelry Joose" but if you don't have any, wet a cloth with a mild soapy solution, wipe carefully, rinse and then dry and polish with a soft cloth. I think there may be some corrosion or dulling to the metal square in the center but overall they seem in great condition and are a fun find!

Using the box rather than the jewelry for dating can be misleading.

Linn

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

What a great set--I have a real weakness for men's tie clip and cufflink sets. I agree with mid to late 50s as well. If the enamel is solid and not flaking or cracked, I agree with Linn to use mild soapy water and wipe carefully (if you don't have Jewelry Joose, which I don't but should!). Sometimes if the dirt looks to be surface soil only and/or if I'm worried about the finish, rather than wipe down the jewelry with a soapy cloth, I'll swish it around in a cup of warm soapy solution, rinse, and blot dry. If the finish looks strong after that, I'll polish with a soft cloth. (I almost ruined a Weiss brooch once because I started to clean it before I noticed that some of the finish was cracking.) With cufflinks, I use a Q-tip to dry the inside of the shanks with, 'cuz they're hard to get dry with a cloth.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Men shmen. I'd wear these in a heartbeat. So cute!

 

[laurenm]

thanks everyone for your great info. Maybe there could be a 'cautionary tale' subsection in the forums....I have a few that I grimace and shudder to recall.