Adding meaning and spirituality to your jewelry designs and home is important! You can do that with our mala beads. Mala beads are among the earliest known adornments in human history, and here at The Bead Chest we carry an immense selection from many different cultures around the world — from our bone and horn malas to our shell and coral selections. They're perfect for jewelry design as well as home decor centerpieces.

What are mala beads?

A mala is a strand of prayer beads used to count breaths or mantras during meditation and prayer. A traditional mala holds 108 beads — though strands of 18, 27, and 54 are also common — usually with one larger "guru" bead marking the start. In Buddhist and Hindu practice, the practitioner moves through the beads one at a time while reciting a mantra, sometimes repeating it hundreds or thousands of times. The number 108 carries deep significance; in Buddhist tradition it is said to represent the 108 afflictions, or states of mind, that we experience throughout our lives. Mala beads have been made for millennia from materials like sandalwood, bone, gemstone, clay, and shell — the earliest known examples, carved from ostrich shell in Africa, date back roughly to 10,000 BC.

How to use a 108-bead mala

Hold the mala in one hand and rest the first bead next to the guru bead between your thumb and finger. As you breathe or recite your chosen mantra, gently roll to the next bead, working your way around the full strand. When you reach the guru bead again you've completed 108 repetitions — rather than crossing over it, simply turn the mala around and continue back in the opposite direction. Many people also wear their mala as a bracelet or necklace between sessions to keep its intention close throughout the day.

Choosing your mala material

Different mala materials are associated with different qualities. Black and ebony malas are favored for protection from negative energies, while gemstone and bone malas are said to encourage rational thought and concentration. Shell and coral malas are prized for grounding and relaxation, and wood malas make wonderful, calming worry beads for easing stress.

With so many spectacular mala bead strands to choose from, we know you're going to have a hard time deciding — so take your time. Your newest mala strand is waiting for you.