Gemstone Malas

Especially beautiful and valuable are gemstone malas, which can support meditation with their special properties. Amethyst, for example, promotes intuition, rock crystal clarity and rose quartz opens the heart. Tiger eye stands for courage, while schungite is known as a protective stone and the blue stones chalcedony and larimar promote communication and openness.

Effect of the individual gemstones on the chakras

Gemstones affect people through their individual vibrational energy, their minerals and their colour. This happens primarily through the chakras, our energy centres. A meditation with a gemstone mala necklace can therefore strengthen and promote the subject or promote the meditation itself, e.g. through concentration and clarity. Which gemstone unfolds its effect best on which chakra:

• Rock crystal: all chakras
• Rose quartz: heart chakra
• Carnelian: Root chakra
• Amethyst: crown chakra
• Malachite: heart chakra
• Tiger eye: solar plexus chakra
• Larimar: solar plexus, heart and forehead chakra
• Lapis lazuli: throat and forehead chakra
• Chalcedony: throat and forehead chakra

Gemstones combined with Rudraksha seeds

The seeds of the sacred Rudraksha tree are known for their divine protection. Combined with the energy of the gemstones, they make magical mala necklaces that combine the positive of both elements. The naturalness of the Rudraksha seeds goes well with any gemstone and can be combined in many ways. A beautiful example is the gemstone mala necklace made of schorl or rock crystal.

Hand mala or necklace?

Malas made of gemstone are available as a bracelet with mostly 21 beads or as a mala necklace with 108 beads. While the hand mala has more of a decorative character, the neck mala is also used for meditation. For this, a mantra or prayer is spoken 108 times for each gemstone bead in succession until the guru bead or tassel is reached again. A set of hand and neck mala made of the same gemstones is also beautiful.

Buy a mala necklace made of gemstones

You have to pay attention to this: The gemstone beads of the necklace should all be the same size so that the mala gives off a uniform appearance. Different sizes can cause irritation during meditation. Also, all the beads should be smoothly polished so that they feel good and you don't hurt yourself or get caught. Finally, the beads should stay in place and not form gaps over time.

Meditating properly with gemstone mala

Choose a mala necklace that you like or that supports your meditation (e.g. rock crystal promotes clarity and rose quartz works on the heart chakra). Then find a mantra or affirmation that suits you and your intentions.

1. Sit upright in a quiet place, close your eyes and relax.
2. Now take the mala necklace in your right hand and hold the first gemstone bead between your middle finger and thumb. With each bead of the mala, recite your mantra or affirmation.
3. Then, with your thumb, draw the next bead onto your middle finger for the next recitation.
4. When you have  recited your mantra 108 times for each bead and have reached the guru bead again, you are finished or start the next round.