Sample custom rosary Op.17

This rosary was created as a sample for a parish auction;
I used the five children of my parents plus my parents’ birthstones.
The Aves are:
garnet-colored jade (January);
shell pearls (June);
sapphire jade (September);
fire-cherry quartz (faux tourmaline; October); and
emerald (May).

The composite Paters are shell pearl and emerald joined with crystal rondelles.

The center is a sterling silver reproduction of a medal called ‘Gate of Heaven’; it depicts St. Joseph carrying the Christ Child through an ornate gate, which represents Our Lady as she is entitled in the Salve Regina, felix caeli porta, ‘joyful gate of heaven’. This medal emphasizes St. Joseph as Protector of the Christ Child and of Our Lady as well as Defender of Holy Mother Church. I chose it because my father was a master carpenter devoted to St. Joseph, and our family consisted of both biological and adopted children.
The crucifix is a reproduction in silver plate.

Silver-filled wire is used throughout, with small crystal wire-wrapped links connecting the crucifix, center, and decades.