Silver-Plated 999 108-Bead Mala Necklace

Description

This mala necklace shares the exact same design as our solid pure 999 silver necklace: 108 beads at 8mm diameter, individually hand-engraved with the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, a hand-knotted silk cord, and a hand-formed toggle clasp. The only difference is the bead composition: here, each bead is plated with a fine layer of 999 silver rather than solid silver throughout.

The 999 silver plating gives the same luster and finish as solid silver at the surface, at a significantly lower weight and price. It suits anyone who wants the design and symbolism of the mala without the investment of an entirely solid-silver piece, or who prefers a lighter piece for daily wear.

Like our solid silver necklace, this mala is made by Tibetan silversmiths, in the traditional style that originates from the Kathmandu Valley, a center of silversmithing for centuries owing to the convergence of Newari metalworking craft traditions and Tibetan Buddhist patronage.

The number 108 is significant in Buddhist cosmology and is shared across multiple South and East Asian spiritual traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism, 108 is the count of worldly attachments to be overcome, and a mala of 108 beads is the standard counting tool for mantra recitation, with each bead marking one repetition. The necklace is fully functional as a practice tool while also working as a piece of jewelry.

For a solid piece at 99.9 percent silver purity with substantially higher silver content, see our Pure 999 Silver 108-Bead Mala Necklace.