Rice Gold

Small Season began with a simple idea: that jewellery should carry meaning, not just decoration. Every piece we make is strung by hand in our UK studio, one bead at a time.

What We Believe

Handmade means slow. It means each bracelet takes hours, not minutes — and no two pieces are ever identical. The pattern of a lapis lazuli bead, the shape of a freshwater pearl, the way sterling silver catches the light: these are things that mass production flattens out. We keep them.

Our Materials

We work almost exclusively with natural gemstones and freshwater pearls. Every stone we use is chosen for its character — the pyrite flecks in a lapis lazuli bead, the cloud inside a piece of quartz, the pale blue of aquamarine.

Our current material list:

• Lapis lazuli (Afghanistan)
• Aquamarine (Brazil, ethically sourced)
• Smoky, clear and rose quartz
• Amethyst
• Freshwater pearls (freshwater cultured, China)
• Sterling silver findings (925, UK)

We do not use dyed, reconstituted, or synthetic stones. Every piece is labelled with its exact material.

Who Makes Your Bracelet

Every Small Season bracelet is strung by a small team in the UK. There is no factory. When you order, your piece is made and quality-checked by hand before it ships.

Why "Small Season"

A small season is a moment — a shift in light, a change in weather, a mood. Something you notice and want to keep. Our pieces are made to be worn with those moments in mind.

Get in Touch

Questions about a piece? Custom orders? Wholesale? Email us at smllseason@gmail.com — we usually reply within one working day.

Handmade gemstone bracelets need slightly different care from plain metal jewellery. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your Small Season piece looking as it did the day it arrived.

The 5 Things That Damage Gemstone Bracelets

Avoid these and your bracelet will last for years:

1. Chlorine — swimming pools and hot tubs will dull pearl lustre and can corrode sterling silver findings.
2. Perfume, hairspray and lotion — apply these before you put your bracelet on, not after. Alcohol and oils cling to porous stones (especially lapis lazuli).
3. Salt water — the sea will damage both pearls and elastic/silk cord over time.
4. Direct sunlight for long periods — some stones (amethyst especially) fade in prolonged UV.
5. Sudden temperature change — do not put a warm bracelet under cold water. Some gemstones can crack.

Cleaning by Material

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis is soft (Mohs 5–5.5) and porous. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or chemical dips. Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth after each wear. For deeper cleaning, a barely-damp microfibre cloth is enough.

Quartz (Clear, Smoky, Rose)

Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) and easier to clean. A soft brush with mild soapy water works well. Rinse briefly and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Amethyst

Clean gently with mild soap and water. Keep amethyst out of direct sunlight when not being worn — prolonged UV exposure can lighten its colour.

Aquamarine

Mild soap, soft cloth, room-temperature water. Avoid heat and ultrasonic cleaners.

Freshwater Pearls

Pearls are calcium carbonate — acids, alcohols, and perfume are their enemies. Never submerge. After each wear, wipe with a soft slightly-damp cloth and let air dry before storing.

Sterling Silver Findings

A silver polishing cloth (available from any jeweller) restores shine. Do not use liquid silver dip on strung bracelets — it will damage the cord and any porous stones.

Weekly, Monthly, Yearly

• After each wear: wipe with a soft cloth.
• Monthly: gentle clean of the whole piece as above.
• Yearly: check the cord for stretched elastic or darkened silk.

How to Store

Store each bracelet separately in the jewellery box we include with every order, flat, in a dry drawer. Do not hang beaded bracelets long-term — gravity stretches the cord.

Signs Your Cord Needs Attention

• Elastic feels slack or stretches easily
• Silk cord is visibly darker between beads
• Beads have shifted position

If you notice any of these, email us at smllseason@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help.

On "Cleansing"

Some traditions hold that gemstones benefit from energetic "cleansing" — moonlight, running water, sound, sage smoke. Whether or not you follow these practices is entirely personal. From a materials standpoint, moonlight is harmless, but avoid running tap water on lapis lazuli or pearls, and never use salt water on any Small Season piece.

Shipping

• Free shipping on orders over £50. For orders under £50, shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
• We ship worldwide.
• Orders usually arrive within 6–10 working days of being placed. Delivery times are estimates and may occasionally be longer due to carrier delays, customs or peak seasons.

Import duties and taxes for orders outside the UK are the customer's responsibility.

Tracking Your Order

When your order ships, we'll email you a tracking number and a tracking link, so you can follow your parcel's progress at any time. Please allow up to 48 hours for tracking information to update.

Incorrect Address

Please double-check your shipping address at checkout. If you notice a mistake, contact us as soon as possible — we can update it before your order ships, but not after.

Returns

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery on any unworn item in its original packaging. To start a return, email us at smllseason@gmail.com with your order number.

• Return shipping is the customer's responsibility unless the item arrived faulty
• Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 5 working days of receiving the returned item
• Sale items marked "final sale" are non-refundable

Faulty Items

If your item arrives damaged or faulty, contact us within 48 hours at smllseason@gmail.com with photos. We will arrange a replacement or full refund including shipping costs.