Buying

Rudraksha Necklace: Pendant, Kantha or Mala, and Which One to Buy

Three different objects share one English word. Knowing which you mean is most of the decision.

By Kathmandu Rudraksha · Published 24 September 2026

What people mean by a rudraksha necklace

When a buyer outside South Asia types rudraksha necklace, they usually mean one of three things: a single bead worn as a pendant, a short strand of larger beads worn at the throat, or the long 108-bead mala worn to the chest. In the tradition these have their own names, and they are bought, worn and cared for differently. This page sorts them out so you can buy the one you actually want, and our guide to bracelet, single bead or mala covers the wrist as well.

The pendant: one bead on a cord or chain

The simplest necklace is a single Rudraksha on red or black thread, or capped in silver and hung from a chain. This is how most people wear a bead they care about, and it is how rare counts are almost always worn. A 5 Mukhi on thread is the most affordable way in and the tradition's universal bead; a collector-grade bead in a silver cap is a considered purchase that can be worn every day for decades.

Two practical points. Thread through the natural drill hole is traditional and cheap to replace. If you prefer a chain, cap the bead first, because a metal chain drawn directly through an uncapped hole saws at the seed. The capping and stringing guide explains the mechanics. Silver capping is available on request; ask when you order.

The locket, and what it is not

A rudraksha locket in the Indian market usually means the same capped single bead, sometimes with a small deity image on the cap. It is jewellery in form, but the bead inside it is the point, and the same verification applies. A locket holding a carved or Indonesian bead is a pretty way to be sold the wrong thing.

The kantha: the throat strand

A kantha is the sadhu's necklace, a shorter strand of larger beads that sits at the throat rather than the chest. It is worn, not counted, which is why the beads can be big and the count is not fixed at 108. Ours is thirty-three beads, hand-knotted in Kathmandu. If what you picture is a bold, visible strand of beads at the neck, the kantha is the object you are describing. It is on the mala page alongside the japa malas.

The mala: 108 beads to the chest

The long strand of 108 small beads plus the sumeru is the japa mala, made for counting mantra. It can be worn, and many people wear one, but it hangs to the chest and its beads are small and even because the fingers, not the eye, are meant to read them. Ours is knotted from 5 Mukhi beads. If you want a necklace for wearing and never intend to count on it, the kantha or a larger-beaded 54 strand is usually the better buy, for the reasons our guide on wearing malas and japa malas sets out.

You want	The traditional name	Typical form
One bead at the neck	Pendant	Bead on thread, or silver-capped on a chain
A bold strand at the throat	Kantha	33 large beads, knotted
The long 108 strand	Japa mala	108 small even beads plus sumeru
Several counts together	Combination or Siddha Mala	2 to 14 beads, one of each count

Prices for all of these are on request for now. We quote the piece you are looking at, in your currency, with photographs and video of it before you pay; ask in the chat on the site or on WhatsApp at +977 9716 624 339.

Necklaces for women and for men

The forms are the same. Nothing in the tradition assigns a pendant to one and a kantha to the other, and the 5 Mukhi is held suitable for everyone. What differs is size and length: a smaller bead sits better on a smaller frame, and a strand should hang below the collarbone rather than ride at the throat unless it is a kantha meant to. Send us a photograph of how you wear necklaces now and we will suggest a length.

Gold and silver

Either metal is traditional and neither changes what the bead is held to carry; the choice is cost and appearance. We cap in silver on request. Gold settings are jewellery work we do not do in-house, so if you want a bead set in gold, buy the verified bead here and take it to a goldsmith you trust with the cap left off.

Buying one without being fooled

A necklace hides the bead in plain sight, so check the bead before the setting. Count the lines from pole to pole, ask for daylight photographs of the exact piece, and for anything above the common counts ask for an X-ray, which we arrange on request through an independent Kathmandu laboratory. Every piece we sell is photographed and filmed before you pay, and the authenticity page describes the seven steps each bead passes through. The setting can be replaced. The bead is what you are buying.

Frequently asked questions

What is a rudraksha necklace called?

A single bead is worn as a pendant, a short throat strand is a kantha, and the long 108-bead strand is a japa mala. All three are sold as necklaces in English.

Can I wear a Rudraksha on a chain?

Yes, in silver or gold, but cap the bead first. A chain run directly through the drill hole wears the seed through.

How much does a rudraksha necklace cost?

Prices are on request for now. A 5 Mukhi bead on thread is the most affordable form, a kantha or a 108-bead japa mala costs more for the beads and the knotting, and rare counts and silver capping are priced per piece. We quote the exact piece, with photographs, before you pay.

Is a rudraksha necklace the same as a mala?

A mala is one kind of necklace, the 108-bead counting strand. A pendant or a kantha is a necklace that is not a mala.

Can women wear a rudraksha necklace?

Yes. The forms are the same for everyone; only size and length change.

What is a rudraksha locket?

A single bead in a metal cap, sometimes with a deity image, worn on a chain. The bead inside should be verified exactly as a loose bead would be.