Bringing Back the Shine: The Art of Restoring Vintage Links of London Cufflinks

For those who appreciate timeless craftsmanship, cufflinks are more than just an accessory—they’re a statement of refinement and heritage. Links of London, originally founded as a cufflink brand, set the standard for British luxury men’s accessories, creating pieces that combined quality materials with classic, understated design.

At Links London, part of our mission is to restore and preserve these iconic pieces, ensuring they continue to be worn and appreciated for years to come. In our latest restoration, we took on a pair of classic oval sterling silver Links of London cufflinks, carefully bringing them back to their original brilliance.

Inspecting Links of London silver cufflinks

Watch the full restoration process in our latest YouTube video.

The Cufflinks: A Classic Links of London Design

These sterling silver oval cufflinks feature a highly polished front and back, connected by a swivel T-bar fastening for ease of wear. The hallmarks indicate Links of London craftsmanship, though they are undated, suggesting a later production run, likely between 2015-2019.

Close-up of tarnished Links of London cufflinks before cleaning and polishing.

While the cufflinks were structurally sound, they had developed significant tarnishing over time. Uneven surface oxidation and wear patterns hinted at a previously applied plating—possibly rhodium, platinum, or palladium—which had begun to break down unevenly. Our goal was to carefully remove this tarnish while maintaining the integrity of the silver underneath.

The Restoration Process: Step by Step

Restoring vintage jewellery requires precision. Here’s how we brought these cufflinks back to life:

1. Initial Inspection & Cleaning

Before polishing, we conducted a detailed examination of the cufflinks under magnification to assess their condition, wear, and any potential plating remnants.

• Findings:
  • Tarnishing was most severe on the front ovals and hallmark area.
  • Light surface scratches were present but not deep.
  • The plating had worn unevenly, likely due to a previous rhodium or palladium treatment.

Inspecting Links of London cufflinks before restoration

To start, we cleaned the cufflinks in an ultrasonic cleaner, removing any dust, dirt, and polishing residue.

2. Barrel Polishing

Next, the cufflinks were placed in a barrel polisher filled with steel shot and a brightening agent.

• Why?
  • The burnishing process helps achieve an even base finish.
  • The steel shot reaches intricate areas, including hallmarks and engraved logos.
  • This step brightens the silver without removing material, preserving detail.

After two hours, we examined the cufflinks again. The barrel polishing had significantly improved the brightness, but some deeper oxidation remained, requiring hand polishing.

6ltr Rotabarrel barrel polisher for the restoration process.

3. Hand Polishing for a Mirror Finish

To achieve the high-gloss reflective finish, we moved to hand polishing using:

• A soft Calico mop to polish intricate areas.
• A high-grade polishing compound (Hyfin) to remove remaining surface tarnish and scratches.
• A felt polishing mop for the final mirror finish.

using Hyfin polish on a jewellers polishing motor

At this stage, the cufflinks regained their original luster, and the remaining plating remnants were carefully removed, leaving pure sterling silver exposed.

Hand polishing sterling silver cufflinks to a mirror finish.

4. Final Ultrasonic Cleaning & Drying

The cufflinks underwent a final ultrasonic bath to remove any residual polishing compound, followed by careful drying and inspection to ensure a flawless finish.

Ultrasonic cleaning jewellery

The Results: Like New Again

With the tarnish removed and the silver polished to a mirror shine, these cufflinks are now indistinguishable from a brand-new pair.

• Original hallmarks remain crisp and clear.
• Swivel-back function is smooth and fully intact.
• Polished sterling silver reflects light beautifully.

While the original surface plating is now removed, the cufflinks are ready to be worn as natural sterling silver. For customers who prefer the original rhodium-plated aesthetic, they can be professionally re-plated upon request.

Why Restore Vintage Links of London Cufflinks?

Cufflinks, like all fine jewellery, can accumulate wear over time. Restoring them offers several benefits:

Refurbished cufflinks placed under Light-Tec professional lighting for product photography.

✔ Sustainability – Rather than discarding old jewellery, restoration extends its lifespan.
✔ Preservation of British Craftsmanship – Links of London pieces are no longer in production, making restored originals highly collectible.
✔ A Unique History – Each restored piece carries its own legacy, a part of the brand’s rich story.

At Links London, we ensure that every piece we restore is professionally cleaned, polished, and fully prepared for continued wear.

Own a Restored Piece of Links of London History

Looking for a pair of refurbished Links of London cufflinks?
💎 Check The Vault at Links.London for our latest collection.

Each pair of restored cufflinks undergoes the same meticulous process, ensuring authenticity, quality, and timeless elegance.

Links of London Classic Oval Sterling Silver Cufflinks

Watch the Full Restoration

📺 See the transformation in action! Watch our full cufflink restoration video above.