Among the seasonal designs created during the original Links of London years, the Snowflake Charm is one of the clearest examples of the house turning a familiar winter motif into a compact piece of jewellery.

The design is formed as a symmetrical snowflake with crisp branching arms and a light, open structure. In sterling silver it has a cool, wintry character; with an 18ct gold-plated finish, the same shape takes on a warmer and more decorative appearance.

The example held in The Vault is an original 2010 sterling silver Links of London Snowflake Charm that has been professionally cleaned, polished and refinished with a fresh layer of 18ct gold plating.

Vintage Links of London 18ct gold plated snowflake charm

A Familiar Winter Motif

Snowflakes have long been associated with winter, Christmas and the individuality of natural forms.

Links of London approached the subject with a clean and graphic treatment rather than a literal scientific interpretation. The charm uses a balanced arrangement of branching arms, creating a shape that reads instantly as a snowflake while remaining refined enough for jewellery.

Its compact scale also makes the design particularly suited to charm wear, where the repeated points and polished surfaces catch the light as the piece moves.

Links of London gold snowflake charm in sterling silver

From Silver to Gold

The original charm is crafted in sterling silver, but the example held in The Vault has been professionally refinished in 18ct gold plating.

That change in surface colour has a surprisingly strong effect on the character of the design. In polished silver, the snowflake feels cool and crisp. In gold, it becomes warmer, richer and more decorative while retaining exactly the same underlying form.

The result is still unmistakably the Links of London Snowflake Charm, but with a very different visual presence.

Vintage 2010 Links of London snowflake charm gold plated

Professional Restoration

Vintage plated jewellery often shows wear to its surface over time, particularly around raised edges and points.

This example has therefore been professionally cleaned and polished before receiving a fresh layer of 18ct gold plating.

The restoration renews the surface while preserving the original sterling silver charm beneath. It is important to distinguish this from a solid-gold piece: the structure remains sterling silver, with the gold forming the outer finish.

18ct gold plated sterling silver snowflake charm

Why We Describe It as Gold Plated

The term vermeil is sometimes used for gold applied over sterling silver, but it also implies specific requirements regarding the thickness of the gold layer.

Unless those thickness requirements are independently confirmed, the more accurate description for this restored piece is 18ct gold-plated sterling silver.

That wording preserves both parts of the object’s identity: the original Links of London sterling silver construction and the renewed 18ct gold surface.

Links of London Christmas snowflake charm front view

A Hallmarked 2010 Example

The example held in The Vault is hallmarked LL, 925 with a date letter for 2010.

Its dimensions are approximately:

• Height: 20mm
• Width: 15mm
• Thickness: 2mm
• Bail: 9mm × 7mm standard Links of London oval bail

Professionally restored Links of London gold charm

The dated hallmark securely identifies this particular charm as an original 2010 sterling silver Links of London piece.

Designed for Bracelet or Necklace Wear

The charm is fitted with the standard Links of London oval bail, measuring approximately 9mm × 7mm.

It will take a suitable necklace or bracelet up to approximately 5mm wide and can also be attached to a Sweetie bracelet using a split ring.

Its open, symmetrical form works especially well when worn where the gold surface can catch the light from different angles.

Vintage gold snowflake charm with oval Links bail

Caring for the Renewed Gold Finish

Because the charm has a plated rather than solid-gold surface, it should be treated more gently than plain sterling silver.

Abrasive polishing should be avoided, as should repeated exposure to perfume, cosmetics, chemicals and unnecessary moisture. Gentle cleaning will help preserve the renewed 18ct gold finish for as long as possible.

Links of London snowflake charm hallmarked 2010

In The Vault

The Links of London Gold Snowflake Charm held in The Vault is an original 2010 sterling silver design that has been professionally restored with a fresh 18ct gold-plated finish.

It is a useful example of how surface treatment can change the character of a familiar design without altering its underlying identity. The geometry remains crisp and wintry, but the gold gives the charm a warmer, more decorative presence.

The result is a vintage Links of London snowflake with its original form preserved and its surface renewed for another generation of wear.

Gold plated Links of London winter charm