After six months of breaking-in (patina process), my flat-fine 108 beads have been through alkaline bloom and color variation. Breaking in a flat-fine 108 for six months, I encountered both alkaline bloom and color variation, and I panicked at first. After six months, having experienced it all, here's how to handle it.

Dealing with alkaline bloom

Alkaline bloom: with 108 beads there are many beads, so the affected area looks alarming; alkaline bloom is normal, don't panic; brush hard and dry, cleaning each bead one by one. For alkaline bloom, just brush it out.

Dealing with color variation

Color variation: it's common when breaking in 108 beads, and with so many beads unevenness is inevitable; break in section by section and brush the lighter beads more, gradually catching them up; color variation is a process, not a result. It can be fixed.

Where things stand at six months

At six months: the color of the 108 has become much more even; having been through alkaline bloom and color variation, my technique has matured too; the mala is changing, and so am I. After six months with the flat-fine 108: brush off alkaline bloom bead by bead, even out color variation section by section, and after six months the mala is even and the technique is solid.

With many beads come many issues, and that's where patience shows—brush each bead clean, even out each section of color, and the 108 gets neater the more you break it in.

The alkaline bloom and color variation of a 108 test your temperament and your effort; after six months, both the mala and the person have shed a layer of skin.

The real work on a 108 lies in patience—brush the alkaline bloom bead by bead, chase the color variation section by section, and after six months the mala is neat and tidy.