Care of Natural Beads & Mala
Natural Beads
Rudraksha and Bodhi Seed beads are natural seeds that require extra care.
From a spiritual perspective, there are a number of practices which can be avoided or followed depending on you. These can be found online. From a maintenance perspective, Rudraksha and Bodhi seeds are best kept clean and dry, not worn when showering or washing; when used for meditation they should be treated with the greatest respect and reverence.
Moon and Stars Bodhi seeds will change colour over time, from brilliant white to yellow/brown, giving it a beautiful patina and almost antique look. It is believed that the change of colour is due to the absorption of your spiritual energy.
Adjustment for wearing mala on your wrist
Each mala is made with a sliding 'cobra' knot to allow a small amount of adjustment when putting them on your wrist.
When wearing a '108' mala on your wrist, depending on your wrist/hand size, you may need to wrap the mala around your wrist 3, 4 or 5 times. If any mala is too big, you are wearing your '108' bead mala for decorative purposes and do not require 108 beads, a custom mala can be made to suit (e.g. less beads). If any Mala is too small, extra decorative beads can be added. In some cases, depending on availability of beads, it is also possible to use smaller beads (e.g. 6mm) rather than the usual 8mm beads.
If a bracelet mala is too small, extra (2-4) beads can be added free of charge (custom adjustments are subject to the same 25% deposit as per made-to-order items). If it is too big, smaller beads can be used, or beads can be removed.
Breakage
Care should be taken when putting on or removing Mala with Metta. Excessive stretching of the cord, or excessive handling (tugging, pulling, etc) can wear the cord and it may break. We suggest putting Mala with Metta on and taking them off when you are in such a place where, if the cord breaks you are able to collect all the components. Mala with Metta will repair any Mala that breaks due to cord or component failure free of charge (a cost may be involved if any components are lost and/or require replacing).