My grandmother used to have three rosaries in her room, on her nightstand, in her handbag and in a small, closed wooden box that I had never seen her open. I once asked her why she had so many rosaries, and she told me that each one was a different tool for saying the same prayer.
This post stuck with me because while there are many different materials used to make rosaries, it really all comes down to a few key points. In the end, the material of a rosary is much like a hammer: different tools are used for different jobs. The best material for a rosary is the one that fits the individual, the place where they will be praying, and the relationship that individual has with that rosary. And so, in this post, we will explore the many different materials that are used to make rosaries, the characteristics of each, and how each might be used for different purposes.
What wood brings to the prayer
WOOD ROSARIES – There is something very earthy about a wooden rosary, and many feel they are very ancient, too. As one would get marks on a book that one reads a lot, the rosary will take on the shape of your hands, and get all sorts of wear marks and discolorations, too. This is all evidence of a life of prayer and cannot be replicated by beads. There are many different types of wood that are used to make rosaries, and some are certainly better than others. None are better than olive wood from the Holy Land.
Many are concerned that a wood bead rosary will fall apart quickly, but the olive wood bead rosaries we carry can last for many years with proper care. A wood bead rosary is also very lightweight and can be carried all day long. The cost of a wood bead rosary is also generally less expensive than that of other types of rosaries. For these reasons, olive wood bead rosaries are the best type of rosary for use as a work horse rosary.
Wooden rosaries make very good First Communion gifts. They are simple yet meaningful and unlike many other types of rosaries; they are not very expensive and are not delicate so your little Communion child will not be afraid to bring them to church and have them on the floor.
Stone, crystal, and pearl: beautiful but different in ways that matter
Stone rosaries are another type of rosary material. Hematite, Lava, and even Jaspers are just a few examples of stones that are commonly used to make rosaries. As stated before, these rosaries are very solid and have a nice weight to them. A very common quality of stone rosaries is the sound that the beads make when you pray with them. They click off from one bead to another, and this can be very meditative. These types of rosaries are very popular with both men and women, because they are so meaningful and can be a very devotional tool. As with any stone that is used to make jewelry, there is a chance that the rosary can chip or scratch, and this is something that needs to be taken into consideration. Because of this, it is very important that you find a high quality rosary that has been made well and has been treated with care.
Crystal Rosaries – While they can be excellent tools of prayer for those who have them, Crystal of any type makes for a very poor material choice for a Rosary. They are far too prone to being broken. If you are the type of person who can never seem to keep their rosary out of their back pocket then perhaps a Crystal Display Piece would be more your speed. In other words these make for excellent formal occasion Rosaries such as for a Wedding or Funeral and would also be an excellent choice for a First Communion Rosary, but as far as a daily Rosary I would look to other materials in order to save your pocketbook from an unnecessary beating.
Pearls are a very hard material, similar in hardness to crystal, but can be scratched. This is why a pearl rosary would be considered a very special rosary and perhaps best to save for formal occasions of prayer such as a wedding or a funeral. Many people are touched by a pearl rosary given to them by someone who is visiting the sick or the dying. These individuals are unable to participate in formal devotions, but a prayer offered with a beautiful pearl rosary can be very meaningful.
| Rosary type | Best for | Durability | Price range |
| Wood bead | Daily prayer, men, travel, gifts | Very high | Low to mid |
| Stone / hematite | Men, daily use, tactile prayer | High | Mid |
| Crystal | Gifting, women, First Communion, display | Low to mid | Mid to high |
| Pearl | Women, formal occasions, display | Mid | Mid to high |
| Paracord | Travel, military, outdoors, men | Very high | Low |
| Rosary type | Best for | Durability | Price range |
| Wood bead | Daily prayer, men, travel, gifts | Very high | Low to mid |
| Stone / hematite | Men, daily use, tactile prayer | High | Mid |
| Crystal | Gifting, women, First Communion, display | Low to mid | Mid to high |
| Pearl | Women, formal occasions, display | Mid | Mid to high |
| Paracord | Travel, military, outdoors, men | Very high | Low |
Paracord deserves its own moment
Most people underestimate the Rosary made of Paracord, which is good because it is underpriced. A Rosary made of Paracord is a tool for prayer. It is not something to be admired, something to be gawked at, or something to wear as fashion. A Paracord Rosary is something to be used. People who would make use of a Paracord Rosary are those who need a Rosary that will survive. There are many different kinds of people who would make use of a Paracord Rosary. There are hikers and campers who like to pray outdoors. There are also people in the military who like to pray. There are also people who like to be rough on things and see if they can break them. These are the people who would make use of a Paracord Rosary.
- Won’t shatter if dropped on concrete
- Lightweight enough to forget it’s in your pocket
- Practical for travel in ways delicate rosaries simply aren’t
- A surprising number of men prefer them specifically because they feel unpretentious
So which one should you actually get?
Yes. I had earlier mentioned that the best rosary for a person would be the one that that person uses. Also, that the material of the rosary is not important, because in the end, the rosary is only a tool for prayer. But that is not entirely true. Some rosaries are better for some people than others.
The material of your Rosary does not change the content of your prayer. What the material does is determine the nature of the relationship that you have with your Rosary. If you are going to keep a Rosary instead of use it then choose a nice material for it. Olive wood Rosaries from the Holy Land look wonderful and make great gifts for others.
- Daily prayer, rough handling, travel: wood or paracord
- A meaningful gift for a woman or girl: crystal or pearl
- First Communion: wood (affordable, lasting) or crystal (memorable, beautiful)
- A man who wants something substantial: stone or wood
- Display or an heirloom piece: pearl or crystal, without question
The material of a rosary does not change the prayer that one says with it; therefore, the different materials of rosaries do not make any difference with respect to prayer. However, while the material of a rosary does not change the prayer that one says with it, it can change the relationship that one has with the rosary. Therefore, choosing a rosary is not just a matter of deciding on the “best” material. The material one chooses will be the primary factor in deciding whether or not one will actually use the rosary. Again, I refer back to my grandmother’s insight here. She said that she had “tools for different jobs.” The wooden rosary was her workhorse rosary, the one that she used for most of her prayers. I am sure that the rosary in the wooden box was prayed with as well.
