109) VINTAGE GENUINE ROCK CRYSTAL STERLING SILVER ROSARY WITH TAG- We have a number of rock and cut crystal rosaries in page 7 but this rock crystal silver rosary has a circular tag indicating that it is indeed made of genuine rock crystal. Rock crystal is mined from the earth; it is genuine quartz with high lead content accounting for its weight. The beads of this rosary is diamond shaped with many facets so it throws off a lot of light. Each bead measures 9mm. There are beautiful silver spacers or extenders with little flower designs. The necklace part measures 37 inches long all around. There is an additional 8 1/4 inches from the Center Medal to the tip of the Cross. The Cross measures 1 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches; it is heavy sterling silver with an impressive Corpus and elaborate designs all around. The Corpus is pronounced and sticks out. The back of the Cross is marked sterling with a punch hallmark. The circular tag is inscribed, "Cary Genuine Rock Crystal." The Center Medal is also heavy and substantial with a lovely design. It measures 3/4 inch long and shows the image of Mary in front and the image of Jesus in the back with the inscription "Sterling R.L.C." The rosary weighs a hefty 67.7 grams. This is a highend sterling silver rock crystal rosary that is like new; it is not easy to find. $350

101) VINTAGE LONG HEAVY STERLING SILVER BLUE CRYSTAL ROSARY - This is one of the longest and heaviest rosaries we have owned. It is made of a beautiful blue oval faceted crystal or glass, all doublecapped.. Each large bead measures 10 by 8mm. The beads are softer grayish-blue than the picture shows. The necklace part is very long at 40 inches long; the dangling part is 8 1/5 inches. The handsome heavy sterling Cross measures 1 1/2 by 2 1/4 inches. The Center Medal is also large, measuring 1 inch long. This exquisite rosary weighs a whooping 75.4 grams. The metal is all sterling silver. This is a beautiful vintage rosary that hails form the 1950s. You will not find another heirloom rosary such as this one, long, heavy, and made of quality materials. $349

102) GENUINE CRYSTAL ROSARY FROM MARY'S HOUSE IN EPHESUS-Mary spent her last years in Ephesus with John the Beloved, following Christ's crucifixion. Now an important pilgrim site since John Paul II's visit, the site of her house is under the care of the Franciscans. There is a small chapel where her house had stood, and nearby is a spring, now tapped, so visitors can get water. Muslims and Christians alike venerate Our Lady here. She is beloved among the Muslims who call her "Miriam."

I will send a small vial of spring water from Mary's house with the rosaries acquired in Ephesus. This is a genuine crystal rosary, double capped in gold tone metal. Each crystal bead measures 8mm, and the color is a lovely pink-lilac. The Cross measures approx. 2 1/4 by 1 1/4. The Center Medal shows Mary with the inscription, "Regine sine originale concepta o.p.n." The reverse shows the Cross, M, and stars. The necklace part measures 32 inches, and the dangling part is another 7 inches. The rosary has a nice heavy weight of 53.8 grams and feels good in the hands. $89

105) ANTIQUE 1920S DECO GOLD GILT SET- ROSARY AND BRACELET - This rare and beautiful set hails from France. The set consists of a rosary and a bracelet, which are gold gilt. The set is like new, with a tag that says, "Les Beaux Chapelets." The reverse of the tag says, "Nacre veritable." The beads on both items measure approx. 4-5mm. They look like genuine elephant ivory beads, but I do not see Scraeger lines. The French tag - Nacre veritable -translates into "genuine mother-of-pearl," but these are not mother of pearl. We do not what to make of this, but we acquired this with the tag and are leaving it on.

. The necklace part of the rosary measures 19 1/2 inches all around; the part from the Center Medal to the tip of the Cross is 5 mm. The Cross has exquisite details in front and measures 1 by 1 1/2 inches. The Center Medal shows the image of Mary and a spray of flowers in the reverse. This measures a bit over 1/2 inch. The rosary weighs 3.3 grams.

The bracelet measures 6 1/2 inches, and there is a part that dangles with a medal showing Our Lady which can dangle or be used as a 1/2 inch extender, allowing the bracelet to be 7 inches long. There are double rows of beads that are connected in the middle by a lovely piece showing the image of Our Lady. The beads also measure approx. 4-5 mm. The medal at the end measures 1/2 inch by a bit over 1/2 inch. The Center piece measures 3/8 of an inch.

The set is very well made and should make an exceptional gift, whether as a First Communion, or Confirmation, or even a wedding gift. The set is rare and you will not find such a set again. The gold on the gilt is 99% there. Both rosary and bracelet cost $799

106) 1700s ANTIQUE ROSARY OR ROSENKRANZ SILVER FILIGREE AND BLACK BEADS- This is a rare and exquisite rosary from the 1700s. It's called the Rosenkranz with Bavarian roots. The black beads are large, with each Ave Maria bead measuring 10 mm; the Pater Beads are double-capped and measure 13-14mm. We have not tested the beads which feel like crystal or glass. The configuration of the Rosenkranz is slightly different from modern day rosaries; There are additional Pater Beads at either end of the 5 decades. There are therefore 8 Pater Beads in total instead of the usual 6 in modern rosaries. Aside from that, everythng else is the same. The two Pater Beads along with the Three Hail Mary beads are made of silver and are probably replacement beads. The Cross measures 1 4/5 by 2 4/5 inches. The Center Medal is large and elaborate. It has what looks like a crown on top. The Center Medal measures 1 1/3 inches. The rosary weighs 85.9 grams. We have on rare occasions seen rosaries that look like this with Spanish origin but this came from Germany. $1,200

107) VINTAGE BLUE UNBREAKABLE ROSARY WRAPPED IN BRASS WIRE- This is a beautiful and sturdy rosary made of blue glass beads with wire wrapped around each bead. It is what they call "unbreakable." Each bead measures 9mm. The Cross measures 1 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches; it is inscribed "I am a Catholic. In case of an accident notify a priest. The rosary is 30 inches long. The dangling part measures 7 1/4 inches. The rosary weighs a hefty 50.6 grams.This is a unique, beautiful, sturdy rosary, which we believe hails from the 1950s. $95

108) VINTAGE STERLING SILVER ROSARY WITH RARE RAINBOW ART GLASS BEADS - This rosary is much more beautiful in person because the beads sparkle and throw off rainbow colors. The rosary is made of sterling silver and rare art glass beads that have multicolors. Each Ave Maria bead measures 8 mm. the beads are tear dropped and capped on both ends. The Pater Beads are 6 mm and are black and faceted all around. The necklace part measures a long 34 inches; and the dangling part from the Center Medal to the tip of the Cross is 7 1/2 inches. The Cross is 1 1/4 by 2 inches and hallmarked sterling in the back. The Center Medal is almost an inch and shows Our Lady in the back and Jesus in front. It is also hallmarked. There are 2 oval medals attached. The rosary weighs a hefty 55.6 grams. There are beautiful extenders also made of sterling. Everything about this rosary indicates that this is a first-class heirloom piece that will last a lifetime. The rosary probably hails from the 1930s. The art glass beads are beautiful and rare. $599

109) VINTAGE AQUAMARINE ROSARY STERLING SILVER ROSARY, FILIGREE DOUBLE CAPS - This is a highend rosary from the 1950s. It is made of sterling silver and aquamarine colored beads that are double capped, creating a beautiful filigree design. Each bead with the caps measure 8-9mm. The necklace part measures 36 inches all around. The dangling part from the Center Medal to the tip of the Cross measures 7mm. The Cross is large and heavy with a very handsome Corpus and design. It measures almost 1 1/2 by a bit over 2 inches. The reverse is hallmarked "Sterling." The Center Medals measures 3/4 inch. This is a lovely vintage rosary that is long with large beads. $349

14) ANTIQUE RUBY RED TEARDROP CRYSTAL ROSARY WITH RELIC OF ST. THERESE THE LITTLE FLOWER- This rosary is nicer than the pictures show. It is long and heavy, made of ruby red crystal beads that are tear drop in shape, faceted all around so the beads are vibrant and rich.Each crystal bead measures 7 by 11 mm - very large. There are little caps at the larger end of the beads. There are wonderful filigree spacers in between decades. The Cross measures approx. 2 by 1 1/4 and is marked "sterling" in the back. The front shows a handsome Corpus with elaborate designs on the Cross. The Center Medal is around 3/4 inch long and the front shows the image of Jesus, while the reverse shows the image of Mary holding Baby Jesus. The necklace part measures 33 inches, and the dangling part is another 7 1/2 inches. The rosary has a nice heavy weight of 54.7 grams and feels good in the hands. The relic of St. Therese of Lisieux or the Little Flower is a modern addition; it measures 7/8 in diameter. The rosary itself is from the deco era, the 1930s. You won't find another one like this heirloom rosary. $399

110) OUR LADY OF CARMEL CLOTH SCAPULAR-ROSARY - This is a scapular and rosary at the same time. It is made of brown cloth with decorative crystal beads. The necklace part of the Scapular-Rosary measures 26 inches; the longer dangling part measures 5 1/4 inches. These scapular-rosaries were made by Carmelite Catholic Nuns in the Philippines. It fits nicely around the neck, is light, durable and will wash nicely. (no frills US shipping is $1.50) $6.99

MARY'S PROMISE TO THOSE WHO WEAR THE SCAPULAR- Our Lady gave St. Simon a scapular for the Carmelites with the following promise, saying : Receive, My beloved son, this habit of thy order: this shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire .... It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.

Another important aspect of wearing the Scapular is the Sabbatine Privilege. This concerns a promise made by Our Lady to Pope John XXII. In a papal letter he issued, he recounted a vision that he had had. He stated that the Blessed Virgin had said to him in this vision, concerning those who wear the Brown Scapular: "I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting."