When I flipped through the photos taken when I first got it and compared them with the current ones, I really couldn't believe they were the same set. I took a series of comparison photos and will talk about the detours I took along the way.

I. When I first got it

Let me first talk about what it looked like when I first got it. Two years ago when I first received this set, the color was light brownish-yellow, the surface was dry and lacked any luster. The grain / texture was a combination of honeycomb and double dragons. The honeycomb wasn't particularly deep, but it wasn't shallow either, and the dragon-ridge (ridge line) was relatively continuous. The shape was a short-stemmed one, with a size of 20mm and twelve beads, which fit perfectly on the hand.

At that time, I had just started playing with Rudraksha and didn't know anything. As soon as I got it, I started breaking-in (patina process). After about a week of breaking-in, I noticed that the color didn't change much, but instead it became a bit dull. I was quite worried at that time and thought there might be something wrong with the beads. Later, after looking up a lot of information, I found out that the base treatment wasn't done well, and the alkaline bloom and residues on the surface weren't cleaned thoroughly, so of course it turned dull after breaking-in.

So I started the base treatment again. I used a stiff-bristled brush to brush for almost a month, brushing for twenty minutes every day, and cleaned all the alkaline bloom on the surface and deep in the grain / texture. At that time, a kind of warm matte feeling started to appear on the surface of the beads. It wasn't shiny, but rather moist, and the touch felt different, a bit like touching jade.

II. Changes after about half a year

After the base treatment was done well, I started the normal breaking-in (patina process). In the first three months, I mainly focused on brushing and supplemented with breaking-in, breaking-in for ten minutes and brushing for fifteen minutes every day. After three months, a glossy sheen started to appear on the surface of the beads, and there was a thin layer of luster. The dragon-ridge (ridge line) area was the first to become shiny, while the grooves were still dark, and the sense of hierarchy started to emerge.

When it was about half a year, the color started to change significantly, from light brownish-yellow to light brown, and the luster on the surface became more and more obvious. The most obvious change at this time was the touch. It felt extremely smooth, like touching a glass ball, without the dry feeling when I first got it.

At that time, I also encountered the problem of color difference. Two beads were significantly lighter than the others. I was worried at that time. Later, I used the method of color chasing, putting the lighter beads in the middle position and spending more time breaking them in during the process, while spending less time on the darker beads. After about two months, the color difference significantly decreased. Although there was still a little difference if you looked closely, it was hardly noticeable if you didn't look carefully.

III. Effects after about a year

After about a year, this set of Rudraksha already looked quite good. The color had become reddish-brown, and the patina on the surface was already relatively thick. When looking through it against the light, there was a slight jade-like texture. The dragon-ridge (ridge line) area was extremely shiny, and the color in the grooves was slightly darker. Between the light and the dark, the three-dimensional sense of the grain / texture was extremely strong.

The most obvious feeling at this time was that this set of mala (prayer beads) had come to life. It didn't have the rigid feeling when I first got it, but rather had a kind of vitality. The color and luster of each bead had slight differences, but overall it was very harmonious. When wearing it on the hand, others would always ask, "How long have you been breaking this set in? It looks really nice."

At the one-year mark, I also experienced an accident. In summer, I sweat a lot. One day, I wore it out for exercise and forgot to wipe it when I came back. As a result, the surface of the beads became sticky and the color was a bit mottled. I was really startled at that time and thought I had ruined it. Later, I wiped it several times with a clean cloth and then left it alone for a week without breaking it in. When I took it out again, it had recovered, just a false alarm. Since then, I've remembered that for those with sweaty hands, after breaking-in, they must wipe it with a dry cloth to prevent sweat from accumulating on the beads.

IV. What it looks like now

Two years have passed, and the current color of this set of Rudraksha is dark red, transparent and shiny. The patina is very thick, and the jade-like texture is very strong. When looking at it in the sun, each bead emits a warm luster. The dragon-ridge area is transparent, and the color in the grooves is slightly darker. The three-dimensional sense of the grain / texture is extremely strong. Holding it in the hand, it feels heavy and the touch is very good.

A few days ago, a friend saw this set and asked me if it was an old set I bought, saying that with this patina and color, it must have been broken in for at least three to five years. I told him it was only two years, and he didn't believe me. In fact, when it comes to breaking in Rudraksha, as long as the method is right and the time is up, the effects will naturally appear. There's no need to rush.

Looking back on the two-year breaking-in process, there really isn't any special secret. It's just patience. Break it in and brush it every day, without rushing or causing unnecessary trouble. When encountering problems, look up information and find ways to solve them without giving up. Over time, the set will naturally give you a reward.

A few words of chat

Many people who play with Rudraksha always want to quickly turn it red and quickly develop a patina, trying all kinds of methods, but instead they end up ruining it. In fact, what Rudraksha needs most is patience. Give a set of beads two to three years, and it will definitely give you a satisfactory result.

I will continue to break in this set of Rudraksha and see what it will look like after three years and five years. With this kind of cultural relic, the fun lies in the process. Watching your own set change day by day, that sense of accomplishment can't be bought. I hope everyone can break in a set of beads that they are satisfied with.