MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition
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MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition

Regular price $135.00 $175.00
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MKUltras - Jade Bodhi Seed Edition

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It is rare to have the chance to introduce a new material to our community, and we think this one is going to become a favourite. The seeds of the talipot palm (corypha umbraculifera), sometimes referred to as "Bodhi seeds," are a durable and beautiful material that has a long history of use in Asia, and particularly in Tibet, but is not well known in the west. The beads can range dramatically in colour and quality, making sourcing challenging but rewarding, with the best quality beads being highly prized by collectors. The seeds have a high oil content, giving them a distinctive waxy look and feel, and they could almost be mistaken for jade if they were not warm to the touch. In fact, the Chinese refer to them as white or green jade Bodhi. The beads can be found in a variety of colours, but can range dramatically in cost depending on the quality, age, and processing of the material. But what makes them so special, and so treasured is the way they age over time.

With use, these beads will begin to darken and deepen in colour (see comparison photos with the larger sets both having seen several months of solid use). Over the course of months, they can develop a surface polish that gives an impression of translucency, and over years, they can eventually develop very fine and highly prized surface cracks, making the sets treasured like fine porcelain antiques. Due to the unique properties of human chemistry and the individual variability in the beads themselves, each set will develop uniquely over time and will truly age with the owner. They make a beautifully resonant clacking sound when they connect with one another. They are durable enough to handle daily use, but they are not intended for raucous play or the kind of abuse taken by metal sets. The barrel shape of our Bodhi Seed Ultra beads is perfect for bead counting as well as raindrops style play, while they are light enough to be worn comfortably all day on the wrist.

Note that because the seeds are not completely solid in the interior, they can be prone to snagging on the cord during raindrops; however over time, the interiors will smooth out, and a fresh change of cord (included) also tends to reduce this issue. Old frayed cords will tend to catch the beads more frequently. Strung on AO2's new custom 12-strand, high density, 2mm Kevlar cord

NOTE: The term "Bodhi seed" is colloquially used to refer to a range of different plant seeds. Each of these has its own distinctive characteristics, but they share common traits making them highly suitable for bead making. 

Details: 

  • Large light green or tan "earthtone" sets: 17x ~13mm by 12mm +1x 15mm zirc lil boss (~36g per set)
  • Extra large mixed "earthtone" sets: 17x ~14mm by 13mm +1x 15mm zirc lil boss (~42g per set; fits slightly large if using all 17 beads)
  • Jumbo white sets: 17x ~14mm by 12mm Bodhi seeds + 1x 15mm mokuti lil boss (~42g per set depending on boss)
  • Jumbo deep green sets: 17x ~14mm by 12mm Bodhi seeds + 1x 15mm mokume gane lil boss (~47g per set depending on boss)
  • Note that the green sets are more costly due to the scarcity of naturally occurring green Bodhi seeds, and for this reason

New to the Ultras? You can wear em on your wrist, or check out the video below for some other examples of what these beads are capable of. 

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