Local Artisan | One-off Design | Copper and Brass Cuff Bangle | Tiger's Eye Cabochons | Contemporary

The same hand. A different stone. A entirely different conversation.

Tiger's eye has been prized in southern African jewellery-making for generations, and with good reason — the stone's optical quality, known as chatoyancy, produces a shifting band of light that moves across the surface as the piece catches different angles. It is a stone that rewards close attention. This cuff was made by the same South African craftsman responsible for the malachite example listed separately, and shares its construction vocabulary — solid copper and brass, multi-strand form, bezel-set oval cabochons — while presenting a markedly different character. Where the malachite cuff is bold and declarative, this piece is warm and considered, its amber and brown tones sitting naturally against the copper and brass metalwork. No second example exists.

The cuff is wide and substantial, built from alternating plain copper bands and smooth brass rails gathered between rectangular brass collars at regular intervals around the arc. The outer face carries a central oval tiger's eye cabochon in a plain round brass bezel setting, flanked by two further oval tiger's eye cabochons at the lower terminals in squared brass bezels. The strands run in parallel through the body of the cuff — three brass rails enclosing a central wavy copper band — visible clearly through the open interior. The terminals are formed as flat rectangular brass tabs, open at the gap. At 138 grams, the piece sits with authority on the wrist. The tiger's eye cabochons show strong chatoyancy with warm amber, gold, and brown banding. Unsigned.

The cuff is in very good condition. The brass shows honest age-consistent patina and minor surface wear to the collar faces consistent with handling. The copper retains its colour with light oxidation in recessed areas. All three tiger's eye cabochons are intact with no chips or damage. All bezel settings are secure.

Key Details

• Maker: Local South African artisan, unsigned
• Design: One-off, no second example
• Form: Wide open cuff bangle
• Material: Solid copper and brass; natural tiger's eye cabochons
• Cabochons: Three oval natural tiger's eye, bezel-set — one central round bezel, two terminal round bezels
• Construction: Multi-strand — three brass rails enclosing a central wavy copper band, gathered between rectangular brass collars
• Chatoyancy: Present and strong — warm amber, gold, and brown banding
• Weight: 138g
• Length: 9.5cm
• Width: 8.3cm
• Height: 2.6cm
• Condition: Very good — minor age-consistent patina to brass collar faces; all stones and settings intact
• Buyer profile: Collector of artisan or statement jewellery; wearer who favours natural stone and mixed-metal handmade pieces; complements the malachite cuff listed separately

One craftsman. One piece. The light moves differently every time.