Blessing Bead Mala Necklace with tassel and gemstone inserts. Utilizing the job’s tears seed that grows on an ornamental grass. There are several stories surrounding these beads. They grow on a grass and are mother natures perfect bead. They have been exposed to the elements: the sun, the moon, morning dew, rain, storms and hurricanes and they still keep their lusturous sheen. In Jamaica they are tied to stories of resistance. I heard a story that the maroons in Jamaica who were kidnapped people fighting for their freedom would use the seeds to mark safe hiding places for their children during times of war with the British red coats, leaving a trail of these seeds on the ground leading to a cave in the cockpit country where they would place their children for safety. After the fighting they would look for the trail of seeds that would lead to the cave where the children were safely hidden. Another story from Jamaicas maroons was that wearing the beads would make you “slim” - I came to understand years later that meant wearing the beads will keep you fit and healthy. Blessing Beads are made with thought and intention and made to bless, guide and protect. Handmade in Jamaica and assembled by a community of artisans that are differently abled.