What is Rudraksha

What is Rudraksha	:	Rudraksha beads ~ the Tears of Lord Siva. Rudraksha, also rudraksh, Sanskrit: rudrākṣa ("Rudra's eyes"), is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. The seed is borne by several species of Elaeocarpus, with E. ganitrus being the principal species used in the making of a bead chain or mala.. Rudraksha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the name Rudra ("Shiva") and akṣha ("eyes"). The specific epithet ganitrus is possibly taken from ganitri, the name for this species in Sundanese and Malay. Rudraksha grows in the area from the Gangetic plain in the foothills of the Himalayas to South-East Asia, Nepal and Indonesia. Rudraksha seeds are covered by an outer shell of blue colour when fully ripe, and for this reason are also known as blueberry beads. The blue colour is derived not from pigment but is structural. It is an evergreen tree that grows quickly. The rudraksha tree starts bearing fruit in three to four years. As the tree matures, the roots buttress rising up narrowly near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground.  Rudraksha beads are used in Malas. ‘Mala’ in Sanskrit means ‘garland’ or ‘necklace’. Malas are rosaries and traditionally intended to be used for meditation to facilitate an effortless way to count the repetitions of mantras (sacred prayers). Mantra meditation is one of the most fundamentals ways to ‘charge’ your soul with divine vibrations. Rudraksha beads are the material from which malas (108 beads in number) are made. The term is used both for the berries themselves and as a term for the type of mālā made from them. In this sense, a rudraksha is a rosary, used for repetitive prayer (japa), a common aid to worship in Hinduism. Rudrakshas also used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicine. Rudraksha beads are the original Vedic Beads of Power worn by the Gods, Yogis and Rishis since times immemorial on their path to Enlightenment and Liberation. History is proof of successful people adorning these to gain power, health, protection and self empowerment. Rudraksha beads are very powerful beads which are used to cure many physical and emotional disorders. Rudraksha beads are found in different types from 1 mukhi to 21 mukhi Rudraksha. Rudraksha beads find bold mention in Vedic Puranas, Upanishads and Srimadbhagawad as being the most powerful aid to alignment of self and for living fulfilled life. Rudraksha beads each capable of aligning the positive energies around us to specific aspects of health, happiness, spiritual fulfillment, prosperity, creativity, intuitive ability, material fulfillment, family harmony, attraction, self empowerment and fearless life. Rudraksha beads help to open Chakras and starts healing mind and body.
What is Gold Vermeil?	:	VERMEIL, which is pronounced "vehr-MAY," is 925 Sterling Silver with is plated with Gold. Vermeil is a combination of Sterling Silver and Gold commonly used as a component in jewelry. A typical example is Sterling Silver coated with 18K or 24K Gold. To be considered VERMEIL, the gold must be at least 10 karat (42%) and be at least 2.5 micrometers thick. In the US and various other countries, Sterling Silver covered first with a base metal (such as nickel) and than plated with Gold cannot be sold as vermeil without disclosing that it contains base metal. The word "VERMEIL" is a French word which came into use in the English language, mostly in America, in the 19th century as an alternative for the usual term silver-gilt. Vermeil can be produced by either fire-gilding or electrolysis. The original fire-gilding process was developed in France in the mid-18th century; however, France later banned the production of vermeil because over time artisans developed blindness due to mercury involved in the process. Today, VERMEIL is produced by electrolysis which is much safer than fire gilding yet produces a very similar result The White House has a collection of vermeil tableware kept on display (when not in use) in the Vermeil Room. The Code of Federal Regulations 16, Part 23.5 defines Vermeil: "An industry product may be described or marked as 'vermeil' if it consists of a base of Sterling Silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with Gold or Gold alloy of not less than 10 karat fineness, that is of substantial thickness and a minimum thickness throughout equivalent to two and one half (2 ½) microns (or approximately 1/10000ths of an inch) of fine Gold." Less than 2.5 microns is NOT Vermeil and is considered as simple Gold plating only. Vermeil Jewelry Vermeil is a more expensive version of Gold plated jewelry. It consists of a 925 Sterling Silver base that is coated or plated with Gold. And again, if the longest lifespan is in the first place for you, your option is VERMEIL Vermeil is much more durable than simple very thin gold plating. No wonder that the price is also high. Gold plated jewelry Gold plating is the term used to describe the process of plating jewelry made of either precious (silver) or non-precious base metal (zinc, nickel, copper) with a thin layer of gold, which is depositing their by electrochemical methods. As it was said the layer is very thin and thus easy to scratch. It also naturally wears thin with time, exposing the metal below.
Remarks	:	Our 24K Gold Vermeil on solid 925 Sterling Silver beads and findings are absolutely marvelous and made with exceptional detail. The size and weight of these beads may vary +/- 1%. The condition is new and excellent.