Bracelet Size Guide Chart - Wrist Measurement in Inches & CM[/caption]
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Ring Size Guide - How to Measure Finger Size at Home[/caption]
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Necklace Length Size Guide Chart - 14 16 18 22 30[/caption]Meet your new daily anchor. This Tibetan mala lapis lazuli bracelet strings together 108 deep-blue lapis beads, red accents, black spacers and a gold-tone guru bead. Wrap it on your wrist, or wear it long as a necklace. Use it to count mantras, or just to remind yourself to slow down.
At PotalaStore, we choose Tibetan jewelry that earns its place in your daily routine.
What Makes This Tibetan Lapis Mala Different
Look closely at the photos. Every detail has a job.
- Deep-blue lapis lazuli beads with golden pyrite flecks, so no two beads look the same.
- Red “turquoise” accents in small clusters, the classic Tibetan blue-and-red pairing.
- Black accent beads and gold-tone spacers that frame each red bead.
- A gold-tone guru bead with a woven disc and tube pendant. It marks where each round begins and ends.
- A yellow cord tassel finished with two red beads.
The red beads sit in groups around the loop. They look striking, and they give your fingers landmarks as you count.
Lapis Lazuli Meaning: Calm, Focus and Inner Truth
Lapis lazuli is a deep-blue stone flecked with gold. People have prized it for thousands of years as a stone of truth and wisdom. In Tibetan Buddhism, its blue is tied to the Medicine Buddha, known as the King of Lapis Lazuli Light.
“The Buddha of Healing, the sovereign with the radiance of lapis lazuli.”Tibetan ritual text from Dunhuang, cited by Himalayan Art Resources
Tradition links lapis to the throat chakra, which governs clear speech, and the third-eye chakra, which governs intuition. Let’s be straight with you: a mala won’t treat any health condition. What it does well is give your hands and mind a steady cue to pause.
Benefits at a Glance
Wearers traditionally associate this stone with:
- Calm: a peaceful, settled mind.
- Balance: harmony among the chakras.
- Focus: sharper concentration at work or in meditation.
- Vitality: a steadier sense of strength and energy.
Red Turquoise: The Tibetan Colors of Good Fortune
Blue and red make a classic pair in Tibetan jewelry. The red beads here are sold under the trade name red turquoise. Natural turquoise is blue-green, so think of the red as a cultural color choice, not a mineral claim.
In Tibetan adornment, coral and turquoise have long carried meaning. The National Palace Museum in Taipei notes that such ornaments served as
“symbols of auspiciousness, good fortune, and social status.”
Wearers traditionally link red with hope, warmth and protection from bad luck. Many also use it as a reminder to let go of anger and bitterness.
Why 108 Beads? The Meaning Behind the Mala
108 is a sacred number in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. One common Buddhist reading ties it to the 108 mental afflictions, called kleshas. One full round of the mala equals 108 repetitions of a mantra such as Om Mani Padme Hum. The guru bead tells you where to start and stop.
You don’t need to be a practitioner to use it. Counting breaths works just as well.
How to Wear and Use Your Mala
Wrap It as a Bracelet or Wear It as a Necklace
The 108-bead strand wraps several times around your wrist for a stacked bracelet. Let it hang long, and it becomes a necklace with the tassel falling at your chest. Same piece, two looks.
Which Wrist Should You Wear It On?
Traditions disagree, so here’s the honest answer. Some sources say the right wrist. Others prefer the left. Tibetan practitioners wear malas on either hand. Pick the side that feels comfortable. Your intention matters more than the wrist.
Using It for Meditation in 4 Steps
- Start next to the guru bead.
- Hold the beads between your thumb and middle finger.
- Pull one bead toward you with each mantra or breath.
- When you reach the guru bead, pause. Then reverse direction instead of crossing over it.
Choose Your Size: 6mm or 8mm
| 6mm × 108 | 8mm × 108 | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Light and slim | Bolder, with more weight |
| On the wrist | More wraps, tighter stack | Fewer wraps, chunkier stack |
| As a necklace | Shorter drop | Longer drop |
| Best for | Smaller wrists, everyday wear | A statement look, an easy grip |
For scale, 108 beads add up to about 65 cm of lapis at 6mm and about 86 cm at 8mm, before spacers and the guru bead. Both sizes suit men and women.
Real Lapis Lazuli: What You’re Getting
This mala uses natural lapis lazuli, so expect variation. Beads differ in shade, and you’ll see golden pyrite flecks and the occasional pale calcite patch. That’s normal. It’s part of the stone’s character.
Be wary of advice that says “no variation means real.” The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) notes that lapis is often dyed or treated with wax or oil to improve its color. Those treatments aren’t very stable. So skip the DIY acetone test. It can strip the color from your beads.
Care: Keep Your Mala Dry
Lapis is porous and fairly soft. GIA rates it 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, with fair toughness. Water can dull the polish and may lift surface color, so “keep it dry” isn’t optional.
- Remove it before showers, swimming, workouts and handwashing.
- Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.
- Keep it away from perfume, lotion and cleaning products.
- Store it flat in a pouch, away from harder gems.
- Slide it over your hand gently. Don’t tug the wraps.
Who Is This Mala For?
- Meditators who want a real counting tool.
- Busy people who want a calm, tactile cue through the day.
- Lovers of Tibetan design who enjoy bold color and gold-tone detail.
- Gift givers shopping for a yoga teacher, a friend starting a practice, or a milestone birthday.
Polished lapis isn’t known to be harmful to wear. If you notice skin irritation from the metal parts, stop wearing it.
Specifications
| Item type | Bracelet / necklace (wrap style) |
|---|---|
| Number of beads | 108 |
| Bead size | 6mm or 8mm |
| Materials | Lapis lazuli (lazurite), red “turquoise” beads, black accent beads, gold-tone metal parts |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Care note | Natural material. Keep it dry. |
FAQ
- What is a lapis lazuli mala used for?
- It counts mantras, prayers or breaths. One round of 108 beads equals 108 repetitions. Many people also wear it as a calming daily reminder.
- Which wrist should I wear it on?
- Either one. Traditions differ, so choose the wrist that feels comfortable.
- How many times does it wrap around the wrist?
- Several times. The 6mm size wraps more than the 8mm size, and your wrist size changes the count.
- Is the lapis real? Is it dyed?
- The beads are natural lapis lazuli, so shade and pyrite flecks vary. Lapis is often color-enhanced across the jewelry trade, so keep it dry and away from solvents.
- What is red turquoise?
- A trade name for the red beads used in Tibetan-style jewelry. Natural turquoise is blue-green, so the red is a cultural color choice.
- Can I shower or swim with it?
- No. Natural stone and cord should stay dry.
- Can men wear this mala?
- Yes. It’s unisex, and the 8mm size gives a bolder look.
Ready to bring a piece of Tibetan tradition into your day? Choose 6mm or 8mm and add it to your cart at PotalaStore.
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