This Animal Product is Legal — and Fun to Collect!

About Bone Prayer Beads

Using animal bones to craft prayer beads has been a tradition since ancient times. In Tibetan Buddhism, especially within the Nyingma tradition (the Red Sect), bone prayer beads are highly revered by many eminent monks. A well-known example is the Kapala, crafted from the skulls of deceased accomplished monks, believed to hold supreme spiritual power, and passed down through generations as sacred ritual implements.

Old Cattle Bone Beads

Aside from the now highly restricted "Three Forbidden Treasures" of the collectible world—ivory, rhino horn, and red-crowned crane bones—materials such as cattle bone, deer antler, and camel bone have become common alternatives for making prayer beads. In recent years, as ivory and rhino horn have been banned and their prices soared into the tens of thousands, bone prayer beads have increasingly shifted toward more accessible and affordable materials like deer antler and camel bone.

Cattle bone, however, tends to be more porous. After extended handling, it can develop small holes and feel sticky due to excessive oil absorption, making it less favored among collectors.

Sacred Bone – Kapala

As for human bone Kapala beads... let's be honest: who would really want to hold human bones in their hands every day? It’s quite a terrifying thought. Moreover, Kapala are created from the voluntary donation of skull fragments—ideally the bone from between the eyebrows—by accomplished monks after their passing. Crafting even one full strand of Kapala prayer beads would require bones from numerous high monks!

Today, many online marketplaces claim to sell Kapala beads. But seriously, if the monks were still alive and practicing, would they allow such supreme sacred relics to be sold? A true practitioner would sooner sacrifice their life than part with a holy object like that, because to them, the Dharma is more precious than life itself.

About Camel Bone Prayer Beads

Let's turn to a more approachable option: camel bone. Typically made from the leg bones of mature camels from desert regions, camel bone prayer beads are also considered sacred in Tibetan Buddhism. Camels are believed to be incarnations of the desert deities. Because camel bone is relatively inexpensive, durable for long-term use, and develops a beautiful translucency after aging, it is beloved by Tibetan devotees.

Image: Camel Bone Beads Close-up

In recent years, as the collectible market has continued to grow, camel bone prayer beads have gained popularity among spiritual practitioners and collectors alike. Owning a set of camel bone beads for reciting mantras is seen as enhancing spiritual merit. Their pure white, translucent quality also makes them easy to pair with a variety of accessories, and having a beautiful set of camel bone beads has become a fashionable pursuit for many enthusiasts.

How to Identify Real Camel Bone

Camels live for more than 40 years, enduring harsh climates in high-altitude deserts, and remarkably, rarely fall ill. Compared to cattle, camel bone is significantly rarer and superior—harder, denser, and heavier. Some vendors may try to pass off cattle bone as camel bone. Here's how to tell the difference:

• Sound Test: Tap two camel bones together and listen carefully—the tone, clarity, and volume differ greatly from cattle bone. Even tapping a camel bone against a cattle bone produces distinctly different sounds.

• Hardness Test: Camel bone can chip cattle bone when struck against it, but not vice versa.

Be cautious: overly white camel bone is likely artificially bleached, making it harder to distinguish from cattle bone. Fresh cattle bone tends to be whiter than camel bone, but over time, cattle bone may appear brighter. Cattle bone usually has a stronger milky odor compared to the much fainter smell of camel bone. In terms of luster, cattle bone looks slightly more like polished jade, while camel bone has a more glassy, translucent appearance.

Playing with Camel Bone Beads

Playing with camel bone beads became more popular after exposure to Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. Sacred human bone relics (Ling Bone) are extremely difficult for the average person to obtain, and are believed to come by fate, not through seeking.

For beginners, materials like deer, camel, horse, and cattle bone are good entry points.

Image: Playing with Beads

If you want to cultivate an excellent patina on your beads:

• Hand play only — no oiling needed.

• No need for excessive hand washing, but keep hands reasonably clean.

• After play, simply wear them on your wrist when not actively handling.

• Avoid water contact.

• In summer, minimize handling if you sweat heavily, and always dry them promptly.

• Avoid sun exposure and contact with acidic substances.

Artificially over-polishing with cloth may give a surface gloss but loses the natural charm and spiritual warmth that develops over time through proper "hand patina."

How to Maintain Camel Bone Beads

1. Prevent Cracking

Cracks usually occur due to rapid dehydration. Avoid wearing your beads while showering, swimming, or soaking. If they do get wet, gently pat them dry with a tissue and air-dry them in the shade—never expose them directly to wind or heat.

In winter, keep them away from heating sources like radiators or fireplaces. Sudden temperature changes (like moving in and out of freezers or extreme indoor-outdoor transitions) can cause expansion and contraction, leading to cracks.

2. Prevent Dirt Build-Up

If your beads have visible pores or tiny pits, it's best to first gently polish them with a cloth and form a thin natural patina before playing by hand. Otherwise, dirt and grime can accumulate in the pores and be extremely difficult to clean.

Exception: Snake bone beads, which have excessive pores, require frequent cleaning. You can use a dry cotton swab, or if necessary, a slightly oiled or dampened one to clean stubborn dirt.

3. Storage

If you don't plan to wear them for a while:

• Clean the surface thoroughly.

• Apply a very thin layer of oil for preservation (any safe oil except petroleum products or soy sauce…).