Hi Karlis
The foremost authority i know on rosaries is Beatriz Chadour Sampson- who may be contactable via the V&A museum in London.
She has catalogued European rosaries for exhibitions and sales over the years and written extensively.
.
Pearls - V&A
https://www.vam.ac.uk/shop/pearls-122193.html

volume 12 / no. 4 / 2003 - Gem-A
https://gem-a.com/images/Documents/GemJewellery/Archive/GJ2003_12_4.pdf
1.
Dr Fritz Falk with Dr Beatriz Chadour-Sampson. lecture by Dr Fritz Falk to the ...... CHADOUR-SAMPSON. Rosaries, Prayer-beads and Jewels of Devotion...

Hello everyone. I am the intern that made the request. I am working with a collection of about 100 separate pieces from different religions. I am hoping to begin posting photos of the items I need help with in the coming weeks. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello Savanna. I think Stefany's reply would be very helpful. Did you try these contacts?

Also, rosaries and prayer beads are one of my areas of interest. Please feel free to contact me:

jamey4beads@yahoo.com

Good luck. JDA.

I have not reached out to them yet but I will be doing that today. I only just completed cataloging and photographing the collection last week. Thank you for your offer of help. It is much appreciated.
Savanna

Hello Savanna,

In 1978 the Northern California Bead Society produced a reprint of an early Smithsonian publication on the topic of rosaries and prayer beads. I managed this project, and also annotated the text.

I believe I have an extra copy, that I will send to you if you'd like to read it.

Please feel free to contact me. Jamey

That would be amazing! I will email you my details today.
S

do post pictures here- i would love to see what you have to show- and make comparisons with the ones that i have...

Ditto..... <|%^)

You might consider contacting the Rubin Art Museum regarding the exhibit they had featuring a collection donated by a friend, Anne Dorsey, that contains many examples of 'prayer beads’. Perhaps they are accessible if you are near NYC.

I have seen pictures from their exhibit and they are on my to-do list of people to contact. Unfortunately I live in south Georgia so a visit isn't really possible.

i was only just reminded of an online group that may be useful!
Paternosters@yahoogroups.com

in includes in its membership collectors, researchers, and re-enactors who respect a serious level of scholarship, not just enthusiasm and guesswork.
currently there haven't been many messages but your enquiries may spark more discussions!
good luck again-
Stefany

Thank you for that! I've requested to join and it looks promising!