My prayer beads are made with gemstones, wood, ceramic, glass, or clay beads and sometimes include a metal guru bead and are hand knotted on silk or cotton cord. They come in three sizes: the traditional 108 bead full mala, a 54 bead half mala, or a 27 bead wrist mala. 
 
Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning garland and japa is a meditative practice involving repetition of a mantra or name of a deity. Since repetition is key in a japa meditation practice, the mala is used to keep count so one can better focus on the meaning of the words being repeated rather than how many times they are repeated. 
 
To begin your meditation, sit comfortably and hold your mala in your right hand. Use your thumb and middle finger to hold the bead and advance to the next bead by pulling it toward you. The index finger should be held away and should not touch the mala while you are counting. Start on one side of the guru bead and work your way to the other side. If your repetitions require several passes of your mala, turn it around and go back the way you came when you reach the guru bead rather than crossing over it. The guru bead indicates the start and end point and is not part of the counting. 
 
Things you can repeat for your meditation are prayers, gratitudes, or a set of affirmations. 
 
Every mala comes with a cotton pouch for safe keeping.