About us
“Our jewellery is so much more than just something to be worn. We create pieces that become part of you—an extension of your values that adorn you like a second skin, for those who appreciate the value of handmade, and who find the beauty and uniqueness in imperfection.”
- Pippa Small
Our Founder
To meet Pippa Small, you are immediately struck by the layers of jewellery which line her skin, glinting and jangling with every gentle movement. As she speaks, her hands will touch these bangles, rings and necklaces, as if they are treasured talismans which punctuate her point or give her reassurance. She has always understood jewellery as storied objects, lined with tales of inheritance, landscape, relationships and memory. Pippa has been making jewellery for as long as she can remember. Stones, shells and beads hunted and found to create handmade pieces which chronical her earliest adventures and experiences.
Pippa holds an MA in Medical Anthropology, cultivating her interest in human rights amongst minorities, indigenous peoples and tribal groups through collaborations with grass roots organisations in Borneo, Thailand and India, amongst others. Pippa has won numerous awards for social responsibility, is an ambassador of the human rights organisation Survival International, and was awarded an MBE in 2013 for her ethical jewellery and charity work. Our first shop opened in Notting Hill, London in 2007, followed soon after by our shop in Santa Monica, California.
Our Commitment
When Pippa Small first launched in 2007, the negative impacts of large scale mining, from pollution to unethical practices, were all too obvious. It was clear that in order to enact change, we needed to lead by example, prioritising ethical practices and ensuring that the makers behind the pieces were always front of mind. Our purpose is to create beautiful jewellery that lasts a lifetime and changes the industry for the better.
Our collections are diverse – each representing the unique culture, materials and makers, yet connected by Pippa’s design style and contemporary eye. Pippa absorbs the feeling of each place: the architecture, design motifs, the colours of fabric and the landscape itself. She will work with artisans in these communities, collaborating with them to translate these essences into a 3D object. The designs keep the thread of elsewhere, the traditional methods combined with cohesive design to create something which has the glint of story, where you can see the hands of the maker.
“When I have worked in small communities, there was a keen sense that everyone was creative and a part of the process. All were involved with their opinion of how the jewellery sounded when one danced, what colours were perceived as harmonious together and what the meanings were of particular designs and shapes, which made it is a totally inclusive experience for us all.” - Pippa Small
Our Ethos
Pippa Small is an ethical jewellery brand, creating talismans for modern life. We approach jewellery design differently, working with Fairtrade, Fair Mined materials, generating secure livelihoods in areas of conflict around the world. From our core collection in India, our support of hand panning gold in Colombia, to community efforts with Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Levant, we work to encourage and sustain these communities. By wearing Pippa Small jewellery, you help us create sustainable jobs in areas impacted by conflict and climate change, support cleaner, fairer mining practises, and ensure the continuation of traditional craft techniques the world over.
All our designs are handmade by highly-skilled artisans. We believe it’s a privilege to own something made by hand; these pieces forge a bridge between one person and another, crossing language barriers and continents, bringing attention and awareness to what is happening elsewhere. At the heart of every Pippa Small design is an elemental connection to earth, humanity and place. Each piece carries the materials of the landscape, the techniques of the community, and the hand of the maker. These objects will be handed down, with each person who wears them overlaying new memories and narratives. Each one a piece of a continually growing story.
“Meditation is about clearing your mind of distractions. Craftsmanship is like a meditation; you must be free of distractions when you work, so you must control your actions with awareness and discipline. Craftsmanship needs so many things, such as composure, concentration, and thinking.” - Tin Win, Master Goldsmith.