How it began
Hi, I’m Shelley, the person behind Little A Jewellery.
The idea for Little A came from a very personal place. After losing two of our much-loved family pets, it felt strange having their ashes sitting in a box on a shelf. I wanted something more comforting and meaningful, something tangible that would let me keep them close to me every day.
That’s what led me to start creating memorial jewellery.
Over time, it’s grown into something even more special. While many pieces are made to remember loved ones we’ve lost, I’ve also started creating jewellery that celebrates the beautiful milestones in life too. Like breastfeeding journeys, baby’s first teeth (yes, really!) or other tiny moments that mean the world to us.
I make pieces that can hold special inclusions like ashes, hair, fur, breast milk or other meaningful elements, turning them into something beautiful you can wear and treasure. Every piece is handmade with care, patience and a lot of respect for the memories it represents.
I know how important it can be to feel close to the ones we’ve loved and lost, and to celebrate the moments that shape our lives. My hope is that each piece I create brings comfort, meaning, and a way to keep those memories close.
My Jewellery & Materials
Each piece of jewellery begins with a high-quality blank sourced from two trusted UK-based jewellers. I carefully select these pieces for their quality, durability, and suitability for memorial and keepsake jewellery.
Once the blank arrives with me, the real process begins. This is where I carefully customise each piece by hand using resin and the special inclusions you provide — such as ashes, hair, fur, breast milk, or other meaningful elements. Every piece is individually crafted with patience and care to make sure it’s both beautiful and long lasting.
Because each item is made by hand and needs time to cure properly, my usual turnaround time is around 3–4 weeks from when I receive your inclusions.
I do offer solid gold options for some pieces, but because the price of gold changes so much, these are priced on application (POA).
Gold has become much more expensive in recent years and is naturally a lot pricier than silver. To give you an idea, gold in the UK can be well over £100 per gram depending on the karat, while silver is only a small fraction of that. Because of this, solid gold pieces are quite a bit more expensive than the sterling silver jewellery I usually offer.
For that reason, gold pieces don’t have a fixed price and are quoted individually.
If you’re thinking about a gold piece, just get in touch and I’ll happily put together a quote for you. I’ll just need a few details first, such as:
Whether you’re looking for a pendant or a ring
The size of the piece
The style or design you like
Any other details about what you have in mind
Once I have that information, I can check with my suppliers and come back to you with a tailored price for exactly what you’re looking for.
Lets talk Gold!
Different types of Gold
Gold jewellery can be made in a few different ways, and the terms can sometimes be a little confusing. Here’s a simple explanation of the options.
Solid gold is exactly what it sounds like — the piece is made entirely from gold. Because of the current price of gold, solid gold jewellery is significantly more expensive than silver or plated options, but it’s also the most durable and long lasting.
Gold vermeil is a thicker layer of gold plated over sterling silver. Because the base metal is silver rather than something like brass, it’s considered a higher quality plated option and tends to last longer.
Gold plated jewellery has a thin layer of gold over another metal. It gives the look of gold at a much more affordable price, although the gold layer can wear over time.
I do offer solid gold pieces by request, but due to the cost of gold these are priced individually.
To make gold-look pieces a little more accessible, I also offer a small selection of gold vermeil and gold plated options, which allow you to have the warmth and beauty of gold while keeping things more affordable. I am currently looking at an alternative supplier to expand and improve these options.
If you’re ever unsure which option might be best for you, I’m always happy to talk things through and help you choose the right piece.