From yellow skin to jujube red, a complete record of the color change process of Rudraksha (large). When I first got this Rudraksha (large), it had a standard yellow skin. Over three years, it turned jujube red. I photographed the entire process and organized it into a timeline to provide an intuitive reference for friends who want to understand the color change process.

Timeline of color change

Timeline of color change: In the first half-year, the yellow skin slightly deepens, shifting towards yellow-brown; from half a year to one year, the color noticeably deepens, starting to take on a reddish tone; from one to two years, the reddish tone becomes increasingly obvious, turning reddish-brown; from two to three years, it stabilizes into jujube red, becoming translucent with an oily sheen.

What causes the color change

What causes the color change? Sweat, oil, and time. Sweat and oils seep into the seeds and slowly oxidize, deepening the color; this process cannot be rushed, and the more anxious you are, the more likely the beads will discolor unevenly during the breaking-in (patina process). The speed of the color change also depends on the density of the skin; seeds with good density take on color evenly and look better.

Methods for recording the color change

Methods for recording the color change: Take a photo in natural light every once in a while, keeping the same angle and lighting for the most intuitive comparison. Recording the entire color change process of Rudraksha (large) from yellow skin to jujube red serves both as a personal breaking-in (patina process) archive and a reference for beginners. Watching the color change bit by bit brings a great sense of accomplishment.