Lotus Jewel Mala
Handstrung Mala (Prayer Beads) of Bethlehem Olivewood, Argentium® Sterling Silver and Kim Miles artisan lampwork

"Spirituality"

This is a one-of-a-kind 108 bead mala (Hindu style prayer beads) necklace that I designed and strung by hand. The God bead, or guru bead, is an outstanding lampwork lotus bead by glass artist Kim Miles. Kim's beads are much sought after, hard to get since they sell out almost as fast as she makes them available, and always gorgeous. I'd had this stunning lotus bead and matching spacer bead for a while, but I held onto it until the idea for this mala came along. So this mala has a Kim Miles 2005 marker on it, from when I got the bead, along with my initial R in wire for making the mala. Both are on a jump ring and can be removed easily if you like.

Materials Used to Handcraft this necklace mala:
Genuine Bethlehem Olivewood Beads;
Kim Miles artisan lampwork lotus bead and spacer bead;
Tarnish-Resistant .925 Argentium® Sterling Silver spacer beads;
strung on nylon-coated silver multi-strand stainless steel professional jeweler's wire for strength.

Size: This mala has 108 beads and is a full size mala.

In alignment with the mystical lore associated with the materials, I created this piece with prayer and intent that the Divine favor the wearer with the highest and best blessings of Spirituality and communication with the Divine.

Metaphysical, Mystical, & Spiritual Healing Properties Lore:

Bethlehem Olivewood beads are handmade from the wood of olive trees in and near Bethlehem that is leftover from pruning the trees. No trees are harmed to make these lovely beads, only pruned to help them produce more olves. As these olivewood beads are from Bethlehem, they are mysitcally related to peacefulness, joy, salvation, and depth of belief. Using these beads for meditation or prayer can enhance the depth and power of those meditations or prayers.

Glass is an ancient material, one of the most ancient known and used by man. The first glass used was natural obsidian, volcanic glass, used to make arrowheads, knives, jewelry, etc. Glass objects created of manmade glass are reported to have been found as early from as 4,500 BC in Mesopotamia and 3,000 BC in ancient Egypt. Many consider glass to have no metaphysical properties, but others who are aware, realize that glass has energy like all else in the Universe, and thus has its own set of properties. Glass is a melding of the traditional four elements, because through fire and air the silica earth element is made molten and transmuted into a liquid only to return to its earthly state as a solid. It can be made to focus light or allow light to pass through invisibly or carry lightwaves great distances through tiny strands. Metaphysically, glass represents and carries the energies of transformation, merging of elements, rebirth, focus and communication. The colors of the glass bring the vibrations of those specific color energies.

Silver is a mineral that is said to mirror the soul, strengthen the connection between astral and physical bodies, and enhance intuitive and psychic energies. Silver is mystically considered to improve speech, bring eloquence. It is also purported to attract, enhance and store the energies of gemstones, as well as draw out negative energies. Silver is related to the moon, and moon energies. Physically, crystal healing lore indicates that silver is has been traditionally used to aid heptatitis treatments, eliminate toxins, expel toxins through the pores, headache, rheumatic pain, nausea and gastritis, obesity, diabetes, and increase assimilation of vitamins A and E.