Questions, answered.

Yes. Every listing names the material, gives its origin and grade where the maker states them, and says plainly if anything is treated, assembled or uncertain.

Zitan is the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus, from southern India. It is so dense that it sinks in water, with a fine, silky grain and tiny golden flecks. Cheaper woods are often sold under its name; every piece we call zitan is Pterocarpus santalinus.

Because it is natural. Grain, colour, speckles and small markings vary from tree to tree and seed to seed. Unless a listing says it shows the exact piece, the photos show a representative example, and yours will have its own character.

We only list materials that can be sent to the US without CITES permits. That means no agarwood, no Siamese rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) and no animal materials such as ivory, coral or horn. Zitan is listed under CITES, but the listing covers logs, chips, powder and extracts, not finished beads.

Yes — that is how many people use them. Push one bead at a time over your thumb, roll a pair of walnuts in your palm, or move one bead per breath when you need to settle. Unlike a fidget toy, they grow more beautiful the more you use them. More in The Original Fidget.

In the first weeks, new zitan can leave a faint red trace on skin or a light shirt cuff. This is the wood's natural pigment, not dye, and it fades as the surface closes with handling.

Please don't. Water, chlorine, soap, perfume and hand cream all dull the surface and can crack seeds and walnuts. Take your piece off for washing, sport and housework.

A first glow usually appears within weeks of daily handling; a deep, glassy patina takes months to years. It depends on how often you hold the piece and how clean and dry your hands are. Our care guide explains the stages.

No. Oil gives a quick shine but clogs the grain and turns sticky. True patina comes only from the hand and time. For walnuts and bodhi seeds, a soft brush is all you need in the first months.

Many do. In Chinese tradition jade is worn as a quiet wish for safety and peace, and vajra bodhi seeds — named after the indestructible vajra — for strength and protection. Many people also choose a piece simply because it is beautiful and calming to hold.

Bead size is the width of one bead, in millimetres, and every piece lists it. Smaller beads are lighter and quieter; larger ones are bolder and heavier in the hand. Our size guide shows how each size looks and feels.

Walnuts are measured across the widest point of the edge. Smaller pairs roll quickly and quietly; larger pairs fill the palm and feel more substantial. Every pair is listed with its exact size — if you are unsure, tell us about your hand and we will suggest a pair.

For now we ship only within the contiguous US: the 48 mainland states and Washington, DC. Shipping is free. We can't yet deliver to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories or APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Delivery times are set out in our shipping policy. Every order is tracked.

No. US import duties are included in our prices. If a carrier ever asks you for import charges, contact us and we will refund them. Sales tax, where it applies, is shown at checkout.

Yes. Enter the recipient's address at checkout and add a note to your order.

See our refund policy for the return window and conditions. If you are unsure before buying, just ask us.