[superdeals] Rosary Prayer Beads

Not only Muslims, but Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindu Brahmanists use prayer beads. Catholic rosaries with 64 beads and a crucifix are part of the clerical garb. Although Islamic prayer beads usually have either 99 or 33 beads, mystic sects sometimes used 500 or 1000 bead tesbih with very large beads

The best tesbih makers became famous for their skill at carving the beads. Drilling the holes through them is one of the most difficult parts, the finer the hole, the more skill being required. Tesbih beads are made using a small lathe, simple but. Although the best tesbih have beads of equal size, some have beadsgraduated in size, threaded from largest to smallest. In the past theywere always strung on silk thread, but today nylon thread dyed to thecorrect colour is sometimes used instead. In Ottoman times rock crystalbeads were preferred in summer for their coolness tothe touch, and for the play of light diffracted by the facets. Thesehad silver tassels.

Not only in Islam, but also in many other religions, prayer beadshave played an important role. In the past, the most sought afterrosaries or tesbih, as Muslim rosaries are called, were made byIstanbul craftsmen and sold to buyers throughout the world. They weremade from almost every imaginable material.

Rosary (Tesbih)

Material: Black amber(Oltu stone)

The traditional Ottoman style prayer  33 beads black amber oltu with silver tassel.

Even though artificial jet is produced, it is easy todistinguish the real oltu stone from the artificial. To be certain if astone is real jet just heat a pin and see if it penetrates the stone,then the mineral is not real jet. Real jet leaves behind brown residuewhen scraped with a knife. When you take an oltu stone in your hand andblow on it, vapor is left on the stone.

Various ornaments made from oltu are some of the best examplesof Turkish aesthetic . Oltu stones are mostly used to make ornamentsincluding rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, tie pins, pipes,studs, cigarette-holders, and beads. It is also used in the electricand electronics industries.

The most attractive characteristic of oltu stone is that it isvery soft when excavated and only begins to harden when it is exposedto the air. Therefore, it is very easy to carve this mineral. Itgenerally comes in black, but can also be blackish brown, grey orgreenish. When put near gas, this mineral bursts into flames and leavesbehind a certain amount of ash. When rubbed, the oltu stone attracts,by way of static electricity, light substances such as dust.

Jet is obtained from mountainous areas which are dugperpenicularly to the general surface and have galleries 70-80cmindiameter where only two or three miners can work. It's a very compactvelvet-black mineral of the nature of coal. Beds of this organicsubstance are 70-80 centimeters in thickness. Jet is formed whenfossilized trees are subject to diastrophism resulting in folding.

Oltu stone, which has been carved in since the 18th century, isone of the best examples of semi-precious stones to be found in theworld.  Oltu is excavated generally around Yasakdag, especially inDutlu, Hankaskisla, Alatarla and Cataksu villages between the months ofMarch and October. There are approximately 600 oltu quarries. Out of atotal of 287 quarries in the Central Dutlu Region, 120 quarries arestill being worked.

has a specific local black stone (Oltu tasi, Jet) which iscarved to produce jewelry, rosary beads, key-chains, pipes and boxes,which you may see while wandering around, especially in Tashan.

One of the best meals here is Oltu , which is considered as a traditional meat dish of world famous .

is an ancient war game like and proudly practiced in Erzurum, especially during and .

For lovers Lake Tortum, 120 kilometers from Erzurum, and MountPaland?ken provide perfect opportunities. Paland?ken winter and resortwhich is reached by mountain roads of scenic beauty, is only 6kilometers from Erzurum. This winter spot is competitive with those ofEurope. By Lake Tortum you will encounter a rarely found beauty of apeaceful lake. The waterfalls at the northern end of the lake are worthseeing as they plunge from a height of 47 m (150 ft). Erzurum is aprovince suitable for with peaks of 3000 m (10,000 ft), and also hasmany and meadows.

Walking south you will see the Three Tombs (?? K?mbetler).Another interesting tomb is the elegant 13th century Hatuniye Tomb. TheYakutiye of the 13th century is one of the most important historicalmonuments of Erzurum with its beautiful portal and richly tiled . Hereis an elaborate built by the great architect in the 16th century, theLala Mustafa Pasa . The Aziziye monument commemorating the Turkish -Russian War, the citadel and Bell Tower, the R?stem Pasa and theBedesten are other historical places of interest.

The modern city, with wide tree lined boulevards and buildings,is intertwined with the historical district. The buildings in the townare remarkable. The Ulu (Grand) built in 1179 is interesting, with itsmany columns and seven wide naves. Next door to Ulu is the CifteMinareli (Double ) (theological school), which is the most famousfeature of the city. It is a perfect example of , the carved portalbeing particularly fine.

The city has always been a point of collision of forces comingfrom various directions and served as a base of operation. In the 19thcentury it became the main fortress against the Russians who occupiedit three times. The resistance against the supreme in powers of thewest was initiated with the . gathered a Congress of National Delegateshere on July 23, 1919 where the foundation of national unity andindependence were laid down.

Erzurum was captured and ruled by many different nations like ,, Cimmerians, Scythes, Medes, Persians, Parthes, Romans, , Sassanides,Arabs, , Mongols, Ilhanides, Safawides, and of course . The capturedthe city only in 1514 and ruled until the foundation of the modern byin 1923. Some great historical figures like and Tamerlane can be addedto the list of rulers.

The history of the city extends back to 4000 BC and it has seenmany civilizations in . One of the most important remains from thisperiods is the well preserved city walls. Most of the historical findsare kept in the collections of the Archaeological Museum, which is apart of the Erzurum Museum.

Erzurum is the largest province in and is located on a highplateau (1950 m). The province has always been a transportationjunction and is now the transfer point for air, rail or bus connectionsfor travelers coming to Eastern .

ABOUT OLTU STONE AND IT'S ORIGIN

The traditional Ottoman style prayer 33 beads black amber oltu with silver tassel. Material: Black amber (Oltu stone)