Showing off my Rudraksha (large), after two years of breaking-in (patina process) it turned out like this. When I got it two years ago it was still a pale yellow new seed, now it has turned date-red, with a clear and luminous patina. I'm posting it for everyone to see, and while I'm at it I'll talk about how I've been breaking it in these past two years.

How it looks after two years

How it looks after two years: overall date-red, the surface is clear and luminous with an oily sheen, the color in the crevices matches the surface, it feels smooth and warm to the touch, and it's especially comfortable to hold while breaking it in. Friends who saw it all asked if I had oiled it, but actually I haven't applied a single drop of oil—it's all been brought out by time.

How I broke it in

How did I break it in? For the first three months I laid the foundation, brushing away the alkaline bloom and brushing the crevices thoroughly; after that I broke it in for a while every day, always brushing after each session, and I never once stopped. There were lazy moments in between, but the overall rhythm stayed steady, which is why the color developed so evenly.

A few thoughts on showing off a mala (prayer beads)

A few thoughts on showing off a mala (prayer beads): when it comes to breaking in a mala, the thing to fear most is a lack of patience. Two years sounds long, but it's really just ten-odd minutes a day, and before you know it, it's passed. Posting it is both a record and a bit of encouragement for fellow enthusiasts—as long as your method is right and you're willing to keep at it, your mala can turn out like this too.

I'm not posting this for anything else, just to record these two years of persistence. The changes in a mala can't lie—however much time you put in, it gives back to you in its color. I'll take another photo this year, and continue comparing next year.