"Good Fortune" Cufflinks

February 2001
Sterling silver, soapstone

My friend Patrick was at a wedding reception in San Francisco when one of his tablemates noticed a pair of cuff links that I'd made him. She thought they'd make a great gift for her boyfriend, so he sent her to me (thanks PMK!).

For the face of the hand-carved soapstone she chose the character 福 (fù), which means good fortune and luck. I used a bit of a thicker bezel on these than on the originals to balance the slightly busier characters, and because it was a bit more flash. May the wearer experience nothing but fortune and luck while wearing them!