Owl Bracelets of Awesomeness

Owls are more than a striking design motif, they're a symbol of wisdom. Okay, I admit, leather and crystal Owl Cuff Bracelet here adjusts to fit both large and small wrists in women's sizes, from 7 inches around to more than 8 inches. You may have seen cheap reproductions of this design - it's a popular look! - but please don't be tempted to settle for a knock-off copy. The difference in materials (quality stones in a quality setting, with soft premium leather cuff) really does show in appearance and comfort, and Superjewellers stands behind this beautiful bird cuff with a lifetime guarantee.

Here, you can see the same stunning cuff in bright turquoise leather. Besides the classic black and tropical turquoise, you can choose from red, white, "emerald green" (to my eye, more towards a teal tone), and royal blue. Click the picture to see all the colors.

For those ladies with a smaller wrist, or who prefer their jewelry to be more understated and natural, here's an alternative way to wear your owl emblem on a leather bracelet. This 24-inch triple wrap, from Karma's Boho collection, looks amazing when stacked with others, either a variety of carved wooden bangles or other wrap bracelets from the same Karma collection.

Did you ever wonder why this big-eyed bird of the night time came to be associated with the quality of being wise? It has to do with the goddess Athena in ancient Greek mythology.

She was the patron of the city of Athens (Attica) in the pre-Christian age, and the city issued these silver coins with her image on one side and her sacred bird on the other side (shown here) in the second half of the 6th Century BC.

Athena was the goddess of wisdom, intelligence, diplomacy, civilization and all things to do with the calm and sage side of human character and society, as well as strength and courage, strategy and mathematics, and, interestingly, the Arts.

In ancient Rome, her counterpart was Minerva - and perhaps the same may be said of the medieval village wisewomen in the pagan/Wiccan tradition, too, in some ways. In our more modern times, it's fair to identify both the blindly impartial female figure of Justice and the noble and democratic figure of the Statue of Liberty as spiritual descendants of Athena.

The qualities that were for centuries linked with the goddess Athena came to be associated equally with the watchful owl that was her sacred companion. And that's why we often give a gift with the owl on it, when a student graduates from high school, college or university.

Romantic and vintage in style, this charming bracelet features a pair of intricately detailed owls in solid pewter, studded with Swarovski crystals, on a bracelet that features hearts and flowers, and a nest that cradles a mabe pearl.

If you're not sure what a mabe pearl is, you may be glad to know I had to go read up on this myself. The word is pronounced mah-bay, believed to be derived from the term for a pearl oyster in one of the Japanese dialects, and it's been in use in the pearl industry since the very early 1950s.

The term is used to describes a half-globe or hemispherical cultured pearl, also called a dome or blister pearl, which is formed by placing tiny beads inside the shells of the oysters, which then cover them with layers of beautiful creamy-colored nacre to form the precious gems we treasure for their lustrous pale beauty.

Photo: Mab cultured pearl by Dinkum (own work) [CCO], via Wikimedia Commons

I'm not quite sure why sparkling rhinestones go so well with the owl theme, but you can see for yourself - the effect is magical, and a whole lot of fun too!

Tip: When you're shopping for rhinestone-encrusted jewelry, you can get a good sense of the colors of the different crystals from Swarovski Elements' Create Your Style website, which has a fun design carousel tool as well as color charts you can download - loads of goodies for fans of the bling.

The wonderful thing about charm bracelets is that, once someone you know gets into one, you never ever have to be stuck for a gift idea! Charms are especially treasured when they're chosen or gifted to mark a special occasion or achievement in the wearer's life, so I'm really keen on the idea of an owl charm as a graduation gift for a girl or young woman. I like to think that she'll not only enjoy the decorative addition to the collection on her bracelet but will hopefully also draw self-confidence from looking at this visible reminder of an important life goal she's achieved.