Gold vs Silver vs Platinum Cufflinks: Which Should You Choose?
Cufflinks carry more metal than most jewellery you'd wear day to day, which makes the metal choice a bigger factor in both cost and character than it is for a ring or a pair of earrings. Here's how the main options actually compare.
TL;DR: Gold (9ct or 18ct) is the classic choice and the most durable for daily wear. Silver is the most affordable and lightest, with Argentium silver a genuine upgrade over traditional sterling for anyone who wants low maintenance. Platinum is the most substantial and expensive option, chosen for its weight and permanence rather than practicality.
Gold Cufflinks
Gold is the traditional and most requested cufflink metal. 9ct gold is lighter and more affordable, a sensible choice given how much metal a full pair of cufflinks actually uses. 18ct gold has a deeper, richer colour and a higher gold content, generally chosen for a milestone pair — a wedding, a significant birthday, a retirement — rather than an everyday set. Both are hallmarked, hard-wearing, and age well with regular wear.
Silver Cufflinks
Silver is the lightest and most affordable option, and a sound choice for a first bespoke pair or a set worn regularly rather than reserved for occasions. The trade-off with traditional sterling silver is tarnishing — it needs more frequent cleaning to stay bright, particularly with daily skin contact and pocket storage.
Argentium silver addresses this directly. It's a modern silver alloy that's more tarnish-resistant, brighter, and hypoallergenic compared to traditional sterling, at only a modest premium — genuinely worth considering for cufflinks specifically, since they get more handling and pocket contact than most jewellery. See our full Argentium silver guide for the detail.
Platinum Cufflinks
Platinum is the most durable and heaviest metal available, and cufflinks are one of the few everyday-adjacent pieces where that weight is genuinely noticeable and part of the appeal — a platinum pair has a substantial, deliberate feel that gold doesn't quite match. It's also naturally white and hypoallergenic, with no plating to wear off over time. The cost reflects the weight: platinum cufflinks sit meaningfully above gold, and well above silver, gram for gram.
Comparison at a Glance
| Metal | Cost | Weight | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver (traditional) | Lowest | Lightest | Regular polishing needed | First pair, occasional wear |
| Argentium silver | Modest premium over sterling | Lightest | Low | Daily wear on a budget |
| 9ct gold | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Everyday gold cufflinks |
| 18ct gold | High | Moderate–heavy | Low | Milestone or heirloom pair |
| Platinum | Highest | Heaviest | Very low | Statement, long-term piece |
Which Should You Choose?
For a first bespoke pair or daily wear, Argentium silver or 9ct gold are the practical choices. For a milestone gift — a wedding, a significant birthday — 18ct gold is the traditional step up. If weight and permanence matter more than cost, platinum is the pair you commission once and keep for decades.
Bespoke Cufflinks at À Vie Diamonds
We can quote your design across metals so you can compare weight and cost side by side before deciding. See our full cufflinks buying guide for fastening types and personalisation options, and get in touch to start a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most practical metal for everyday cufflinks? Argentium silver or 9ct gold are the most practical choices for daily wear, balancing cost, weight, and low maintenance.
Are platinum cufflinks worth the extra cost? For buyers who want the heaviest, most durable, longest-lasting option and value that weight and permanence, yes. For everyday wear, gold or silver typically offers better value.
Is Argentium silver better than traditional sterling for cufflinks? Yes, for most buyers — the tarnish resistance matters more on cufflinks than on many other jewellery types, given how much handling and pocket contact they get.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds