How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary
How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary
Find helpful tips about how to choose an heirloom rosary. For example, did you know that wire-wrapping secures the rosary extra well?
About Heirloom Rosaries
For us, the cost of a rosary is not the only factor that gives it an heirloom quality.
The Construction
The first thing that defines its value is its construction. It needs to be well-made. Wire-wrapping secures and strengthens the connections so that it will outlast other rosaries.
The Look
Next, whether it has glass, gemstone, or crystal beads, it should be beautiful. The Our Father beads often make the rosary look unique because they stand apart in some way.
How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary: BEAD QUALITY
BEADS are a Key Element in Rosary Design
Our Father Beads
Our Father bead shapes and colours can make a difference in the look and feel of a rosary. They can vary in size, colour or shape. For example, heirloom rosaries can have ornate Pater beads. They can even be the focal point of a rosary.
Symmetry
When you invest in a quality heirloom rosary, you should expect it to be symmetrical. The beads look better when they line up evenly.
GEMSTONE BEADS
Determining Gemstone Value
Among gemstone beads, there is a wide range. Purity and rarity are two deciding factors to determine a stone’s value.
Many lower-quality gemstone beads have added dye or resin to improve their appearance. Yet even the best gemstones are not always strictly natural.
Turquoise and Jade
Turquoise, for example, is stabilized or compressed. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is one of the most costly stones on the market.
Jade refers to a variety of gemstones. True Jade is Nephrite Jade or Jadeite. Other stones identified as “Jade” could be Quartz, Jasper, or Serpentine of high or low grades.
Worldwide Shortage
There is something else to consider. The high demand for gemstones has depleted some of the world’s mines. Along with stones of a lesser value, we have noticed a recent shortage of deep purple Amethyst, Turquoise, and natural deep blue Lapis Lazuli.
Intrinsic Value
Whether you choose a precious metal rosary with the best gemstones or a lower-cost one, your rosary will be rare and memorable.
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL BEADS
The Secret to Their Sparkle
How do Swarovski Crystals glisten and sparkle so much? In 2012, they stopped putting lead in their beads. Yet, they still flash in the light.
The secret is precision cutting. Computers calculate each direction of reflected light. Machines then cut the many facets so that they meet at perfect points.
The Finish
Regular glass beads have minor imperfections in the coatings. Crystals with an extra reflective coating, like an AB or shimmer finish, have a uniform luster. Swarovski Crystals have no swirls or noticeable scratches.
Genuine Crystals
You can be sure of the quality of our rosary beads. We have always purchased Swarovski Crystal beads from direct distributors. These suppliers bought them straight from the factory in Austria.
Swarovski or Austrian Crystal: What is the Difference?
As a result of a recent copyright issue, we now refer to these beads as Austrian Crystals. Yet, they are still the same original stock of Swarovski Crystals we purchased before they stopped selling to artisans. However, our stock is limited. Click to read more.
How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary: TYPES OF METAL
STERLING SILVER
Judging the Value
It may seem like the way to judge the value of any rosary is by its beads. With this perspective, a nickel silver gemstone rosary might seem like a good deal. The same beads paired with sterling silver components might seem overpriced. The difference is the metal, not the beads.
Sterling Silver Wire
Sterling silver wire tends to come unhooked with classic links. It is for this reason that we wrap it around the beads. The downside is that it takes more than twice the wire to do that, resulting in a higher cost. We feel that it is worth it to have a sturdy rosary.
Shopping Tip
Shopping for sterling silver rosaries can get tricky because the quality varies. For some, the Crucifix and center are the only sterling parts. The other components are lower-quality metal. Remember that a description of silver might not necessarily mean sterling silver. It might only refer to its colour.
Rhodium-plating can seem like a good idea because it prevents tarnishing. However, it can either have sterling silver or another core metal. Also, the layer could eventually wear off. Although sterling silver will tarnish, it is solid metal that will not wear off.
The Artisan Difference
What makes our sterling silver rosaries stand apart? They are wire-wrapped and sturdy. Every metal part is sterling silver.
BRONZE
The Nature of Bronze
With repeated exposure to air, a copper penny changes to a darker shade. In the same way, bronze naturally darkens to rich, earthy tones. The change is a result of the copper content in the bronze combining with oxygen. In their natural form, bronze rosaries look like antiques. Polished bronze is a shiny, golden colour.
Influences
The choice of metal creates a different look with gemstones. Sterling silver picks up on the bright, cool shades in the beads. The golden or earthy bronze parts pick up on their warmer tones.
Shopping Tip
Not all bronze rosaries are the same. Some have less costly parts that are not solid bronze. Pieces of plated chain could divide the decades.
The Artisan Difference
Our bronze rosaries are wire-wrapped and sturdy. Every metal part is solid bronze. We sometimes use brass spacer beads. Brass is one of the elements contained in bronze, so we find it ages well together. Our Crucifixes and centers are cast from vintage or unique pieces.
How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary: CONSTRUCTION
Why Do We Wire Wrap Heirloom Rosaries?
Wire Made With Precious Metals
Although we prefer to wire-wrap our precious metal wire, we can also make a classic-linked rosary with it.
Stronger Rosary
Since gemstone and crystal beads are generally heavier, they add stress to the connections. The shape of wire-wrapped loops secures the beads, and the extra turns in the wire add to its strength. Click to read more about wire-wrapping.
How to Choose an Heirloom Rosary: MORE TIPS
Bows, Kinking, Storage, and Preventing Tarnish
How It Is Attached
Since most Sterling silver jump rings will open, we prefer wrapped bows. The one we use the most has a stem surrounded by stacks of looped wire. There are open loops on each end. The other is shorter, with a small bead at the center. Both will do the extra work needed to secure a rosary.
Kinking
The structure of wrapping usually results in kinking. There should be no more than one or two kinks at a time. To check for excessive kinking, lift the rosary and then set it gently back in the palm of your hand. Hold it up one more time to see how much it will kink. Lifting and turning the sections or giving the rosary a little shake will fix it.
Storage
After investing in an heirloom rosary, it is a good idea to store it in a rosary case. One that has a secure closure will protect the wire and beads from damage. We provide a free drawstring velveteen pouch with your heirloom rosary purchases.
Preventing Tarnish
Protecting your rosary from the air in a case or box will help prevent tarnishing. There is one more thing that will help. As shown in the photo, I store mine in a leather case with a piece of anti-tarnish paper. We give you one with your sterling silver rosary purchases. Another option is silica gel packs that come with new shoes or purses. However, they are poisonous.
See What is Available
Click to shop for rosaries with Sterling Silver or Bronze Metal.
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CREDITS
The LOGO image of Our Lady of Grace is original artwork by Martin Lariviere in 2009. We have the artist’s permission (my son). It is our exclusive trademark logo image.
A beautifully photographed sky by Donald Tong inspired the website’s colour scheme. Cropped portions of it are the background for the footer Bible verse. He shared it as a free download on pexels.com.
Raphael painted The Sistine Madonna circa (1513-1514). We made circular cut-outs from the original image.
Shvets shared the photo of modern gadgets and coffee on Pexels.
Our information is from general knowledge, experience, and shared internet resources. We’d like you to use it as a starting point for your research to verify facts and build a reference list.
IN REVIEW
An heirloom wire-wrapped rosary has strength built into its design. Here is what you need to know when you are shopping:
- The wraps should be rounded, stacked snugly against one another, and with no sharp edges.
- The wire should not have deep marks or dents from the pliers.
- When shopping for sterling silver rosaries, sometimes the Crucifix and center are the only sterling silver components. Check to make sure that the wire and chain are what you are paying for.
- When shopping for bronze rosaries, the Crucifix, center, and chain can be plated or solid bronze. Check to make sure that you are getting what you want.
- Check gemstone beads for cracks, chips, or uneven shapes. Research the MOH’s hardness scale and the value of the stone. Remember that the cost of a Sterling Silver rosary is in the metal parts more than the beads.
- Swarovski Crystal beads are consistently of high quality. The company may require people to use a different label on them in the near future so it will be more difficult to be confident in your purchase.
- Make sure the sections line up evenly.
- Notice if the Our Father beads stand apart in some way so that they are easy to notice during prayer.
- While some kinking is to be expected with this type of rosary, check for excessive kinking.
- It should be attached with wrapped bows or soldered loops. There should be no sharp edges.