Frequently asked questions
everything about the bracelets, the stones and the studio.
What does 燚 (yì) actually mean?
燚 is a rare Chinese character written as four 火 (fire) characters stacked together, and it means fire at its fullest — energy multiplied by four. It is pronounced yì, exactly like the character 逸, which means ease, freedom and unhurried comfort. yiran studio takes its name from that coincidence: the four stacked fires stand for the four kinds of energy our bracelets are built around, while the homophone is a reminder to stay at ease while burning bright. Our brand line, 燚然自得, borrows from the idiom 怡然自得 — to be quietly, contentedly yourself — and we translate it as "burn bright, live light". If you ever forget which character it is, look for the one that is literally a bonfire of four fires: that's us.
What are the four fires?
The four fires are the four intentions every yiran bracelet is designed around. 桃花 (love) is the warm pink fire — for relationships, starting with how you treat yourself. 招財 (abundance) is the golden fire — for career, momentum and fortune. 辟邪 (protection) is the deep, earthy fire — for boundaries and deflecting negativity. 安神 (calm) is the milky, moonlit fire — for clear thinking and sound sleep. Each fire has its own palette and its own combination of natural crystals, chosen for that intention. When you order, you either pick your fire directly or let the design quiz recommend one based on what you're looking for right now. One person, one 燚 — the bracelet is strung for the fire you most need to light.
Are your product photos edited or retouched?
No — and this is the studio rule we're most stubborn about. Every style is photographed from the actual batch of stones we string from, with no filters, no boosted saturation and no flattering studio tricks that hide texture. Natural crystals contain inclusions, colour banding and small surface characters; our product pages point them out instead of hiding them, and we note each batch's clarity honestly. The stone in the photo is the stone that arrives at your door. We do this because the biggest problem in the crystal jewellery industry is overpromising: photos of museum-grade specimens selling ordinary beads. If a bracelet in our photos looks imperfect, that's because real stones are — and because we would rather you be pleasantly surprised at your door than disappointed.
How does the AI design quiz work?
The quiz asks about you — your birthday, your zodiac sign, and what your heart is set on right now — and uses that to recommend one of the four fires and a specific combination of beads for it. It is a starting point, not an oracle: the maker reviews every quiz-generated design before it is strung, adjusting stone sizes and layout so the bracelet works on a real wrist as well as on paper. Every order then ships with a personal meaning card explaining why those particular stones were chosen for you, written by the quiz and the maker together. We treat the card as part of the product — a bracelet without its why is only half finished. The full quiz launches with our online store; the short version on the homepage gives you a taste of it today.
How do I find my bracelet size?
Wrap a soft measuring tape — or a strip of paper you then measure against a ruler — snugly around your wrist bone, and note the measurement in centimetres. Your bracelet size is that wrist measurement plus about 1.5 cm for a comfortable fit, or plus 2 cm if you prefer it loose. Most of our bracelets are strung to 15–17 cm and fit the majority of adult wrists; because every piece is made to order, we string to your exact measurement at no extra cost — just tell us the number at checkout. If you're buying a gift and can't measure, 16 cm is the safest all-round choice for women and 18 cm for men. If the fit isn't right when it arrives, contact the studio and we'll restring it.
What materials do you use?
Three things: natural crystal beads, gold-tone metal spacer beads, and strong knotted elastic cord. The crystals are natural stones hand-picked at Hong Kong's bead market — not glass, resin or reconstituted material — and because they are natural, colour and pattern vary from batch to batch and bead to bead. The elastic we string on is a heavy-duty jewellery cord finished with a hidden knot, chosen so the bracelet slips on without a clasp and survives daily wear. If you have metal sensitivities, tell us when ordering — the metal spacers can be substituted or omitted entirely without changing the bracelet's design logic. Nothing we use is plated over allergen-heavy base metal as far as our suppliers certify, but we're happy to make a spacer-free version if you'd rather not risk it.
What is the optional gemstone certificate?
For premium pieces, you can add an independent gemstone identification certificate at checkout. The certificate is issued by a third-party gemmological laboratory — not by us — and confirms that the beads in your specific bracelet are the natural stone we say they are, rather than glass, resin or dyed substitutes. It typically states the material identification, and notes if any common industry treatment applies. It is not a valuation or a grading of "energy" — no honest lab certifies that — it is simply proof of material authenticity, which we think matters in an industry with a fake-stone problem. Certificates add a few days to dispatch because the piece travels to the lab and back. Details of the issuing laboratory are printed on the certificate itself and listed on the product page.
Where do you ship and how long does it take?
We ship from our studio in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong. Because every bracelet is strung to order, allow 3–5 working days for making before dispatch — a little longer if you've added a gemstone certificate. Within Hong Kong, delivery typically takes 2–4 working days after dispatch. International orders ship worldwide with tracking and typically arrive within 7–14 working days depending on destination and customs. Shipping fees are calculated at checkout by destination; any import duties or taxes at the destination are the recipient's responsibility. You'll receive the tracking number by email the moment your bracelet leaves the studio. Full details, including current carriers and fees, are on our shipping policy page — and if your order is a gift with a deadline, contact us first and we'll tell you honestly whether it can make it.
How should I care for my bracelet?
Treat it like what it is: natural stone on elastic. Take it off before showers, swimming and workouts — repeated water, sweat, perfume and sunscreen dull polished stone and slowly fatigue the cord. Put it on by rolling it over your hand rather than pulling one side, which stretches the elastic unevenly. Wipe the beads occasionally with a soft dry cloth, and store the bracelet flat in its pouch away from prolonged direct sunlight, which can fade some natural stones over time. With normal daily wear, the elastic should stay strong for a long time; if it ever loosens or snaps, don't throw the beads away — contact the studio and we'll restring your bracelet. Many people also like to "rest" a bracelet in moonlight now and then; the stones don't require it, but it's a lovely ritual.