Can you help me value a pair of cufflinks? My mum was given them by a former Russian Olympic champion in gymnastics – Yuri Titov. 

He was for a number of years the president of the International Gymnastics Federation and she received the said cufflinks at one of the Olympic Games as a gesture of goodwill. Mihaela.

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Dan Hatfield, resident This is Money expert valuer, replies: I must confess, I've always had a soft spot for cufflinks. 

For something so small, they have an uncanny ability to elevate a dull suit, offering a unique opportunity for a gentleman to display a bit of personality - think of them as the wrist's version of the novelty sock. 

My problem is I often lose one on a regular basis and almost always after a few Dirty Martini's at a special event, resulting in my wardrobe being home to the world's smallest museum of useless, individual cufflinks.

The history of the cufflink is as fascinating as it is revealing. Born in the 17th century, these tiny fasteners replaced the impractical ribbons once used to keep one's cuffs together. 

When first adopted, they were quite revolutionary and a clear sign of a gentleman's stature if he was no longer using knots. 

They were the ultimate aristocratic indulgence, adorned with precious stones and intricate metalwork, the exclusivity of your design would quickly dictate and reflect your social status. 

By the Georgian and Regency periods, cufflinks were the ultimate badge of success, worn by the ruling class, desperately attempted to be acquired by the middle class, and entirely out of reach for the working class - a small, shiny reminder of Britain's obsession with hierarchy.

Fast forward to the Victorian era, and thanks to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing costs plummeted, making cufflinks accessible to those who weren't born into wealth but had managed to earn it. 

They still carried a certain prestige - owning a pair suggested you were doing rather well in life - but now, they were starting to be within reach of the masses. 

The cufflink had evolved to become symbolic of a society desperate to better themselves and to move up the class system.

Now, to your particular pair which are German and a fine example of continental craftsmanship from Emil Kraus, a renowned jewellery manufacturer established in 1866. 

The beauty of Kraus cufflinks lies in their consistency. 

While their designs have evolved slightly over the decades, their signature style remains unmistakable, bold yet simple, elegant yet understated. 

Their focus is on quality materials, using 14ct and 18ct gold, or platinum with precious and semi-precious stones. 

As soon as I gazed my eyes on yours, I knew instantly that they were Emil Kraus.

Examining your photos, I can see the 750 hallmark which confirms that your cufflinks are 18ct gold. 

This is the best possible outcome among the metals Kraus used because 18ct gold is 75 per cent pure, while 14ct is only 58.5 per cent pure and therefore worth less. 

Platinum on the other hand, was once the darling of the jewellery world, but it is now worth about half the value of 18ct gold. 

The old belief that platinum is always the most valuable metal is still a common one globally but it's wrong and outdated. Gold, on the other hand, has been on a meteoric rise, surging 30 per cent in value just last year.

Now, onto the gemstone - except it's not actually a gemstone. 

From what I can see, your cufflinks feature abalone, a shimmering, oil-slick-like material harvested from the shell of a sea snail. 

It's undoubtedly eye-catching, but its popularity has waned in recent years, partly due to concerns about over-harvesting and sustainability. 

Yours also appear to have lost quite a bit of their vibrancy. 

It may be that your photos don't do them justice but if they have been exposed to the sunlight for a number of years then this can often happen. 

This would put off some collectors and could detract from how quickly you sell them and for how much.

As for the Olympic legend Yuri Titov connection—a fascinating detail, but not a game-changer. 

Unless we have pictures of him wearing them while backflipping off the pommel horse or without any proven provenance generally, it's unlikely to significantly impact the value, perhaps a modest 10 per cent premium at best and that's purely for the novelty factor.

Now, let's talk numbers. Gold is soaring, but abalone is not exactly en vogue, and cufflinks themselves are no longer the universal wardrobe staple they once were. 

There are still plenty of fans and lots of people who buy cufflinks for special occasions such as weddings but the market has undoubtedly shrunk. 

Fewer buyers mean a niche market, but those who do want them will need to pay a premium. 

Taking all this into account, I'd put the value of your cufflinks at around £700, which is a figure that reflects their intrinsic worth while also ensuring a realistic sale, should you decide to part ways with them.

So, if you are contemplating selling, now might be the perfect time. 

Gold is the star pupil of the 2020s investment class, and while cufflinks may not be the fashion powerhouse they once were, a buyer who appreciates fine craftsmanship and enjoys the story of their origin may very well be happy to part with a decent wedge of money to buy them.

Whatever you do, don't just let them end up in a drawer gathering dust - that would be a crime against good style.

Send in your Modern Treasures

Dan Hatfield is This Morning's money-making expert and resident pawnbroker. He is an international specialist in antiques, jewellery, diamonds and collectibles. 

Dan's first non-fiction book, Money Maker: Unlock Your Money Making Potential (£16.99, published by Hodder Catalyst) is available now.

This is Money's Modern Treasures column is after your items and collections for valuations. 

Please send in as much information as possible, including photographs, to: [email protected] with the email subject line: Modern Treasures

We're after post-War items only please and we may contact you for further information.

Dan will do his best to reply to your message in his bi-weekly column, but he won't be able to answer everyone or correspond privately with readers. 

Nothing in his replies constitutes regulated financial advice. Published questions are sometimes edited for brevity or other reasons.

As with anything, if you are looking to sell items and collections, it is wise to get a second and third opinion - not just rely on Dan's suggestions.