Komboloi

Varieties of Komboloi

The short strands of komboloi beads come in many varieties, from plastic to ceramic, bone, glass, amber, and coral. Religious komboloi may add a saint's medal to the strand, often St. Christopher, patron of travelers. Some "secular" komboloi add a medal showing an image from Greek culture; these are produced for tourists.

Traditional Materials for Worry Beads

Amber is a traditional stone for komboloi, but be aware that reconstituted (mastica), partially real, or imitation amber is common and has been used for a long time, so age is no guarantee of authenticity. Buy older strands based on their beauty, not necessarily what the substance is said to be.

Modern Worry Beads

As komboloi grow in popularity, other versions are popping up. Long strands with big chunky beads are intended as wall decorations. Small strands may end up hanging from rear view mirrors. Both of these uses count on an inherent protective quality in komboloi. Some modern strands are made of beads shaped and marked like dice, symbolizing good luck, particularly for gambling or games of chance. Others are made of cobalt-blue eye beads, warding off the evil eye.

How Much do Worry Beads Cost?

Don't worry. Prices vary widely. Most souvenir stand strands will cost a few Euro. Lowest prices will usually be for plastic beads, but glass or ceramic beads are much more satisfying to handle and are often the same price as plastic. The cord-strung beads are more pleasant to use, as the fine chain can grate a bit against sensitive fingers or catch on the edge of a sleeve.

Specialty stores, of which the Komboloi Museum and shop in Nafplio is the reigning king, will charge more but will have better quality and a wider selection. The Komboloi Museum also has stands in shops at the Athens Airport. At the main location in Nafplion, the display upstairs includes dozens of ancient strands of komboloi, plus prayer beads from other cultures worldwide. They also offer an excellent book on the history of worry beads, written by one of the owners.

Jewelry shops will charge substantially more, with gold and silver strands with semi-precious stones abounding. There's no upper limit; fine strands are costing between Euro 250-1000 or more, and are particularly popular with Greek businessmen. As komboloi are growing in popularity, they are actually being imported into Greece, so not all worry beads sold in Greece are from Greece. Ask.

Travel delay? Break out the beads. Temperature too hot? Swirl those worry beads, you might start a breeze. If a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon can start a storm in the Atlantic, why not coax a breeze to yourself with komboloi?

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Photos and text by deTraci Regula, Copyright 2001 by deTraci Regula and About.com. All rights reserved.