I picked this Conch/Dun/Chank mala up several years ago and it a monster. The conch beads are approx. 17 mm diameter and the immitation amber bead which is made from plastic measures nearly 40mm. It is very heavy.

I wonder if the malas that you have are actually from prayer wheel activity? Or have they been created using other means. I know that a prayer wheel can normally take a year or so (sometimes many years) of daily use to wear down a conch. Based on this it would take over one hundred years for one person to build a complete mala. So do you think that many prayer wheel users have contributed to these malas?

From what I have witnessed most old time Tibetans that use prayer wheels will usually wear there worn down conch discs around their necks. And this usually makes up no more than a dozen pieces. They believe that these discs are imbued with the blessings of their mantra recitations. So I would be surprised if these dics are sold since they would be a very personal and sacred object. What do you think? Do you think it is then possible that your malas are made up of discs that have been offered in sacred sites and have then been taken. I have no idea myself but it is something to consdider.

Have a wonderful trip to Tibet : ) Any room in your suitcase?