A unique gold cuff bracelet to mark a 50th birthday

Without a doubt, every day is a gift. However, certain days can mark significant moments in our lives. And there is nothing quite like a 50th birthday to mark our life, to reflect on where we have been, where we are now and what we can learn from this part of the journey. 

Gold cuff bracelet on marble top

Woman's Gold cuff bracelet with leaves in background

Bespoke gold cuff bracelet

E, is a someone who oozes confidence and knows her style and her mind very well. She knows what suits her and what she likes. She has the confidence that only a woman who has lived 50 years can exude. And to celebrate this milestone she wanted a statement piece: a cuff bracelet.


A cuff bracelet is a bold style, that can be traced back to the dawn of civilisation and has always created an empowering look.  I would say that nothing is more powerful than a cuff, a jewel non the less associated with Amazonian power. 

Though Amazonian women belong to Greek mythology, and the historical existence of the Amazons, or any matriarchal society has long been debated “Wonder Woman” is most definitely a real character much ingrained in our society through the comic books, TV series and a recent film.   

I loved watching the “Wonder Woman” TV series when I was a girl. I loved her gold lamé bustier and star-spangled blue underwear and her amazingly powerful cuff bracelets.  The Amazonian princess was strong and resourceful, with a rope trick for every problem.  The character was originally created by William Moulton Marston based on Greek mythology, but I am sure he added some poetic licensing to the story giving the bracelets a much juicier part by calling them “The bracelets of submission” which were to be worn as a cautionary reminder: to forfeit one's independence by allowing male dominance over their will sapped them of their own power.[4].

“The Amazons once surrendered to the charm of some handsome Greeks and what a mess they got themselves into. The Greeks put them in chains of the Hitler type, beat them, and made them work like horses in the fields. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, finally freed these unhappy girls. But she laid down the rule [Aphrodite's Law] that they must never surrender to a man for any reason. I know of no better advice to give modern women than this rule that Aphrodite gave the Amazon girls” William Moulton Marston , creator of Wonder Woman comics.


So long live the empowering cuff bracelet!!


Close up of woman's gold cuff bracelet

This cuff bracelet design was based on a bracelet E already owned, a piece of fashion jewellery she loved to wear but was made of base metals. We sat down and analysed what it was she loved about it: its size, the fact it was flat and did not bother her when she wore it and the fact that it had an intricate design.  Based on these attributes I designed her new bracelet.


Close up of Assay hallmarks and Militza Ortiz logo on a gold bracelet

I made it in solid 18 carat gold, with my signature bubbles.  It lays flat on the wrist to avoid catching and snagging.  It was a challenge to make it look bold yet light and airy at the same time. 

This is probably one of my favourite commissions as it holds everything I love dearly about working closely with a client:  understanding their story, their style, working with them to reach a design that will work for their lifestyle yet still be able to add my personal stamp on it.   Also, the fact it’s a bad ass Amazonian symbol just makes it that little bit better.


Interested in having a special piece of jewellery made specially for you? We are a small jewellery business based in Wimbledon, South West London, UK. We would love to see you in our studio but if you prefer to work remotely we have clients from all over the world, so we are happy to do that too.


Militza Ortiz

Jewellery designer that tries her best with Squarespace

https://www.militzaortiz.com
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