The Sisters of Carmel have been making quality rosaries for over twenty-five years, with both handmade wire links and knotted cord. We use the highest possible quality beads and parts, taking what steps we can to ensure the rosaries will last. We use bows instead of jump rings on our wire rosaries and sew the knots on the ends of cord rosaries to ensure they do not unravel. Click here to learn more about wire rosaries and here to learn more about our cord rosaries.
Since each rosary is handmade to order, we usually ask about three to four weeks to complete your order. If you have a specific date by which you need the rosary, please let us know in the comments section of your order.
For information about shipping and returns on custom rosaries, please click here .
Besides standard 5-decade rosaries we make two different styles of 1-decade rosaries, and 15-decade rosaries.
For one decade rosaries, since the rosary is small and the loop is only one decade, we put extra links between the Hail Mary beads to make sure there is room for someone’s hand while praying.
One decade rosary style 1 has one Our Father bead between the centerpiece and crucifix of the rosary.
One decade rosary style 2 has an Our Father bead, three Hail Mary beads, followed by another Our Father bead between the crucifix and the centerpiece.
Below is a sample of a 15-decade rosary.
What is the difference between the different types of metals?
Nickel silver – Nickel silver is a compound of nickel, copper and zinc, also called “base metal.” Though it does not retain the luster of other materials such as sterling and has no silver content, it is a strong, durable metal. We use nickel silver wire on rosaries with base metal parts.
Silver oxidized – Our silver oxidized centers and crucifixes are composed of a solid brass core with a heavy silver plating and an antique finish, and each piece is individually die struck.
Pewter – Our pewter pieces are produced here in the USA, with a special high grade pewter that is lead and cadmium free, developed to provide medals that are light and durable. You will find the same beautiful detail as on our sterling silver and gold filled pieces.
Sterling silver – For our sterling wires, we use Argentian silver wire, which is more resistant to tarnishing. Our sterling silver crucifixes, centers and side medals are produced to the highest standards of artistry and workmanship by several exceptional manufacturers in the USA. All pieces come with a lifetime guarantee.
Gold filled – Gold filled products give the look and feel of 14 karat gold for a fraction of the price. Gold filled, also called rolled gold or gold overlay, is made by heat and pressure, bonding a layer of karat gold to a brass alloy core. The exterior of the product, everything you can see or touch, is a solid layer of karat gold, in contrast to gold plated items, which usually consist of a microscopic film of gold particles covering a base metal by an electroplating process. Due to the particles, gold-plate has the tendency to chip, flake and wear off. The gold layer on gold-filled products is approximately 100 times thicker than gold-plate, and due to its bonding process does not tarnish, chip or wear off. For this reason, gold filled items are generally considered lifetime products. All of our products (including the wire, chain, beads, clasps and rings that we use on our gold filled rosaries and bracelets, as well as all medals, centerpieces and crucifixes) are 14/20 Karat gold filled.
Wood inlaid crucifixes - Most of our wood inlaid crucifixes are made of rosewood or ebony with nickel silver or brass. Most of the styles we offer were either imported from a well known manufacturer in France (now closed), or are made right here in the U.S.A. by the Vexilla Regis Foundry, who learned their technique.
The following charts and images are meant to help you build your rosary.
Our Size Comparison chart shows the beads, crucifixes, and centers actual size. This might be helpful if you are not sure how well the different components you are choosing fit together.
If you choose Czech lampwork Our Father Beads, you may wish to designate a color. Click here to see a color chart of what colors are available, and let us know what color you would like in the “additional comments section” before you add the rosary to your shopping cart.
See the picture below for an idea of where any side medals you add to your rosary will be placed. You may add side medals to the bottom of the centerpiece and the crucifix on your rosary.
If you are having trouble choosing a centerpiece or side medal, see our Patron Saint index for a list of Saints and their patronages.
The only bead that we allow for multi-colored rosaries are the Austrian crystal. To build a multi-colored rosary, choose the wire+chain rosary, glass and crystal beads, and the “multi-colored” option (the last in the list) when asked to choose a color.
You may designate colors for each of the decades, the first, second, and third Hail Marys on the “tail” of the rosary, and the Our Father beads (if you do not wish to choose some other special bead for the Our Fathers).
Click here to see the color chart of available colors. See the image below as a reference for the placement of the beads and decades, and designate what colors you would like where in the “additional comments” section of your order. Of course you may also contact us if you have questions.
