Rosary beads are no longer the preserve of the older generations, but have become something of a fashion statement in ladies' circles, with increasingly diverse designs and materials on offer to suit every taste and match the extravagance of outfits worn at weddings and other social occasions. In the month of Ramadan the beads have a particular appeal, constituting as they do one of the most popular gifts for friends and relatives of pilgrims from all over the world returning from Makkah and Madina, sending prices through the roof. “Every year I make a point of buying some as presents from Makkah and Madina, as that's where you find the widest variety on offer,” says Umm Saleh. “It's become something of a craze as well, especially since ‘beauty is in a woman's hands' as they say, and now you find women carrying beads that match their dresses and other accessories.” “Some women get the loudest colors possible as a way of attracting attention, and the beads have become for some as important as a handbag or shoes,” Umm Saleh continues. “They have different types and colors for ‘evening wear' and daytime and parties. They also get out their most expensive ones for special occasions, just as you would get out the most expensive jewels or earrings.” Makkah leads the way in sales of beads by some distance, a natural consequence of the large numbers of pilgrims making their way to the city throughout the year, and the beads having become something of a traditional gift from returnees. In the last three years alone an estimated 15 million sets of beads have been sold in the Kingdom. “Every year the demand goes up,” says Bandar Qahtan, a Makkah bead-seller. “We import them from all over the world, from places such as Belgium, Italy, Russia, Thailand, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Eastern European countries.” As their popularity grows, so does the need for purchasers to find ever-more exclusive and eye-grabbing types to stand out. “Women generally prefer beads with pure inlaid gold or made of precious stones to match their clothes, but their ultimate dream is always for diamonds,” Bandar says. “But there are also some rare materials in great demand as well, like tortoise shell and ivory. These can fetch up to SR4,000.”
