Trying to match very very old stuff is a challenge!
This rosary has been sitting around my mom's place for who knows how long.
Several of the beads have split and cracked. And I wanted very much to match them.
But, alas, it was not meant to be. I thought that Kyanite would have a similar depth and color, and I was happy to find ovals in the same size. With prayer beads, the feeling of the beads is also very important. The kyanite is very smooth and cool to the touch. And the wire wrap, which is slightly different from the original, has the same texture and is sturdier.
I still need to glue the crucifix back together.
Believe me, I was tempted to make her an entirely new rosary, and I may just do that (you can see the section I didn't attach in the photo). But, I don't know the history of the piece, whether she just liked it and wanted it fixed, in which case a new similar one would be the right thing, or if she got it at a significant time.
I'll finish the crucifix and return it at Thanksgiving. And hey, I'll complete the stone version, just for kicks!
-Simbelmyne
