The rosary beads have been in use since the year 1214. According to tradition, it was given to St. Dominic in an apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Prouille. There are many versions of the catholic rosary. The basic beads used by the religious consist of wooden beads and a wooden crucifix. Wealthy Catholics used rosaries made of precious stones. I’m not sure if they were actually used in praying or were just kept in their vaults as jewelry.

There are certain groups dedicated to propagating the practice of praying the rosary. The prayers and the sequence in which they are prayed are taught. The mysteries are also explained. For practical purposes, the rosary itself has been simplified into a string of 10 beads representing the ‘Hail Mary’, a single bead representing the ‘Our Father’ and a crucifix. This is sometimes worn as a bracelet.