I've had the good fortune of designing custom rosaries now for over five years.  Often when people have rosaries designed, they have lots of questions!  So, I though I would share with you what I have learned.  There are basically two ty[es of rosaries that can be made~ cord or chain.  Cord rosaries are sturdy, last quite a while and can be made of heavy cord or even flexible wire.  However, chain rosaries are made out of metal parts and tend to much more ornate than those made with other methods.  This guide is going to focus on chain rosaries.

First, the basics~ the parts.  Why does is matter what metal is used to make my rosary?  There are three basic types of metal available to rosary makers:

1. Aluminum: Aluminum is a very soft metal that is very inexpensive.  Most mission rosaries are made with aluminum.  Aluminum is not the metal to use if you are seeking a lasting rosary as it is soft and does not withstand much use or abuse.

2. Nickel: Nickel plated brass is the next step up in rosary parts.  It is the metal most commonly used for a mid-priced rosary.  Nickel is a strong metal with a nice sheen that lasts for quite  long time.  I most often equate it's longevity to that of high-grade costume jewelry.  Nickel has also been referred to as "base metal".  It is available in silver or gold.

3. Sterling Silver: Sterling is the best and most expensive metal that a rosary maker can use.  It is obvious in it's beauty and shine that it is the best that money can buy.  Sterling silver is also quite strong and excellent for an heirloom-quality rosary.

Next~ the beads. There are a multitude of materials to use for the beads on a rosary.  In fact, the beading industry has grown so rapidly in the last few years that the possibilities truly are endless.  The most basic and inexpensive of choices is plastic.  Plastic can be faceted, plain, shaped in a variety of ways and comes in many colors. However, the most common choice of rosary beads today is probably glass.  Glass beads have a lovely color, keep their shine, rarely get scratched and come in many, many shapes, sizes and colors.  Glass beads can also be coated with an aurora borealis effect.  This is simply a coating that gives the bead an enhanced look of a rainbow.   I tend not to use AB coated beads very often in my rosaries because the coating will wear off over time after being passed over and over your fingers in prayer.  The beads will still be pretty but they will not have the true lustre that they had when the rosary was first created.  Another common bead to be used is olive wood. It is a gorgeous natural wood bead with darker variations and over time, the bead will acquire an even richer look as the beads will absorb the oil from your skin.  Then, there are also natural stone beads, which offer a huge variety. Some of the most common stones that I have worked with are hematite and mother of pearl.  If you are wanting to design an heirloom quality rosary, might I recommend Austrian Swarovksi Crystal or Austrian Swarovski Pearls?  These superior quality beads are manmade but the most beautiful beads that one can find. 

Here are some samples of beads that we've used in some of our creations:

      

                       Glass beads with shamrock shape pressed in them        Fossil beads (a natural stone)
                       Silver nickel parts                                                         Silver nickel parts

      

                Hematite beads (a natural stone)                                      Swarvoski Glass Pearls
                Silver nickel parts                                                            Sterling silver parts

                   

                  Mother of Pearl (natural stone)                                      Crystal Clear faceted glass with AB coating
                  Sterling silver parts                                                         Silver nickel parts

               

            Yellow faceted glass beads with metallic gold coating                  Olivewood beads
            Gold nickel parts                                                                        Silver nickel parts