After six months of breaking-in (patina process), the Old Tree King 108 beads have gone through both alkaline bloom and color variation. I’ve encountered both alkaline bloom and color variation with the Old Tree King 108 beads during these six months—all normal parts of the process. Now that I’ve been through both with the Old Tree King 108 beads over six months, let’s talk about how I got through it.

My Experience with Alkaline Bloom

My experience with alkaline bloom: When you first get a new mala, its surface develops a white, frost-like alkaline bloom; this is a normal phenomenon, and it can be removed by dry brushing firmly. Only after brushing off the alkaline bloom will the mala’s base be clean. Don’t panic if you see alkaline bloom.

My Experience with Color Variation

My experience with color variation: By the mid-stage of breaking-in, the mala develops color variation, with beads showing different shades of color; this is mostly caused by uneven breaking-in (patina process) or uneven brushing of sweat. Brush the lighter-colored beads more often, and the colors will even out gradually. Color variation can be fixed.

What I’ve Gained in Six Months

What I’ve gained in six months: After these six months, the mala’s color has darkened, and a preliminary patina has formed; having gone through both alkaline bloom and color variation, I’ve also gained more experience in mala breaking-in. The mala’s changes are the reward of breaking-in. After six months of breaking-in, the Old Tree King 108 beads have gone through both alkaline bloom and color variation: the alkaline bloom brushed clean, the color variation evened out, the mala changed color over six months, and I’ve gained more experience too.

Alkaline bloom and color variation are required lessons in mala breaking-in. Get through these two hurdles, and the mala’s foundation will be solid—you’ll also be a true beginner.

Looking back after six months, alkaline bloom and color variation are no big deal. The process of dealing with them is exactly the process of advancing your mala breaking-in skills.

The pitfalls I encountered over six months now look like stepping stones. The mala is properly broken in, and I’ve gained experience—win-win.