Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do you need to hold a Rosary in order to pray the Rosary?
A. If you have no other means available a Rosary can be devoutly said on your fingers, but there is an added joy in having a beautiful Rosary with which to pray, and, needless to say, it is a great help in keeping track of the decades and mysteries.
Q. What is meant by the term "LINK" when describing a Rosary
A. When I use the term "LINK" in describing a Rosary, I am referring to the material used between the Hail Mary decades and the Our Father beads as a separator. This "link" can be made from chain, plaques, beads or other materials which you might find attractive. Samples are shown here.

Q. What is meant by the terms "Hand Chained" and "Hand Strung"
A. "Hand Chained" means that wire is used to "chain" all of the Rosary together. "Hand Strung" means that the Rosary is "strung on a cable composed of 49 strands of stainless steel encased in plastic. It is strong (26 pounds test weight) and doesn't kink. Rosaries which are strung contain no chain or plaques. The links on a strung Rosary are beaded. Click on the links to see samples of chained and  strung rosaries
Q. What do you mean by the term "Gemstone"?
A. A natural mineral or pearl which has been cut or drilled to be used as a bead. Some Gemstones may be enhanced. Enhancing may include the following: Dyeing, Heating, Infilling, Stabilizing and Waxing. Gemstones may also be natural- meaning not enhanced. If a Gemstone which I use for your Rosary has been enhanced, I will inform you of the enhancement. Those stones which I use and describe as Gemstones are NOT man-made stones.
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Q. What do you mean by the terms Glass and Crystal?
A. When I use the term Crystal, I am referring to the crystal that is made by Swarovski in Austria. The term glass refers to the glass beads which come mainly from Czechoslovakia, which can be either clear or in a variety of shapes, sizes and can contain handblown flowers, silver or different colored glass. Both the Swarovski Crystal and the Czech glass make beautiful Rosaries.

Q. What do you mean by the different terms for the metals you use?

A. Below are the definitions for the terms used in describing the metals used in my Rosaries.

  • Karat or KT - is how the fineness of gold is measured.  24KT is pure gold, while 14KT is 14/24 pure gold and the remainder is another metal. 
  • Gold Filled or GF - is made by joining several layers of gold (14KT) to another alloy, usually brass, but sometimes copper.
  • Gold Plate or GP - is made by bonding a layer of 14 KT gold to Sterling Silver
  • Sterling Silver or SS - is composed of  92 1/2% sterling silver and another alloy, usually copper.  This standard is fixed by law.
  • Silver Filled or SF - is made by joining a layers of Sterling Silver to another alloy.
  • Silver Plate or SP - is made by bonding a layer of silver to another alloy.
  • Nickel Silver or NS - is sometimes also referred to as Base Metal.  It is a compound of nickel, copper and zinc, and contains no silver.  It does not retain the luster of silver or gold, but is strong and durable.
  • Gold Colored  and Silver Colored or GC and SC - are metals with a gold colored or silver colored finish, which retains no luster after a period of time.  I do not use these metals with my gemstone Rosaries, but do use them for my less-expensive Rosaries.
  • Vermeil - 14KT electroplated Gold over Sterling Silver

I will inform you of the kind of metal I am using/have used in the manufacture of your Rosary. My Gemstone Rosaries are always made with Sterling Silver or 14KT Gold Filled or Gold Plate. I will never use the cheaper metals in a Gemstone Rosary.

Q. Do you repair old or broken Rosaries?

A. Yes If you have an old or broken Rosary that you want repaired, I will repair it for only the cost of materials used, this is generally a very minimal cost.  

 
Q. Can I donate an old or broken Rosary for missions?

A. Yes! If you would like to donate your old or broken Rosary, I will repair them and give them to your favorite mission/charity or donate them to Catholic pro-life organizations or to the (Knights of Columbus) in for their Rosary prayer mission, and recently to St. Joseph's Cathedral in Baton Rouge, LA for hurricane victims. You may send your rosaries to:
Rosaries For Our Lady
%Carol Pickett
4699 E. 266th Street
Arcadia, IN 46030

I also make new chain and cord Rosaries for the missions. If you do not have an old or broken Rosary, but would still like to participate in my mission work, you may send a donation.

If you are in need of a Rosary, but do not have the funds to purchase one, please click here, give me your name and address, and I will see to it that you receive one of my mission Rosaries.
Q. Can I design my own Rosary?

A. Yes. Your Rosary can be of your own design. You can see a selection of Beads and Centers and Crucifixes here from which you can choose, or you can request a bead, crucifix or center which is not shown here. Your Rosary can be also be crafted from your old keepsake necklace, it can be remade from an heirloom Rosary, or I would be happy to design a beautiful Rosary for you to your specifications.

I will be more than happy to give you a price quote for your specially designed Rosary. You may Request a Quotation on this form, or you may simply write, call or e-mail with your specifications.

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