Basic Construction: Parts of a Rosary

This section will cover the basic parts of a rosary and what they are called. The image below is a quick reference to what the different parts and sections of a rosary are called. At the bottom of the page is a description of common rosary terms you might hear or use.

The structure of a rosary consists of a crucifix, a rosary center, 53 Ave beads and 6 Pater beads. 50 of the Ave beads are arranged in sets of 10 called decades, with a Pater bead between each decade and attached to the center to form a circle. The drop portion is a set of 3 Ave beads with a Pater bead at each end, with the top connected to the center and the Crucifix connected to the bottom.

Common Rosary Terms:

Bead Board: A jeweler’s board with slots and areas to arrange beads and parts.

Bead Drill: The small hole running through a bead.

Configured Chaplet: A devotional chaplet with a specific layout, bead count, or colors.

Chained Rosary: A rosary with ring caps on either side of the bead, looped together to form a “chain” of beads.

Chain Section: A short length of chain placed between beads or parts.

Eye Pin: A short length of wire with a loop at one end.

Fumed Red Brass (FRB): Red brass wire brought to a durable, warm brown color with our proprietary method.

Jump Ring: A small, closed circle of wire used in looped construction or to attach different elements of jewelry.

Reamer - A gently tapered, needle-shaped file used to work on bead drills.

Silver Filled Wire: A solid, thick jacket of Sterling silver wire bonded to a brass core.

Triplet Beads: A set of 3 Ave beads.

Wire Wrap: A piece of wire which is looped then wrapped around itself to form a secure connection.