The idea that there is an ideal and mystical place of peace and contentment, either on Earth or in a parallel plane, a place where physical being has no meaning, holds a strong appeal for the human mind. There are counterpart traditions and myths in most cultures and religions. In Christianity, Adam and Eve lived dwelt in – and ultimately were expelled from -The Garden of Eden. “Shangri-La”, first described in the still-popular 1933 novel Lost Horizon” was protagonist found a place in which the inhabitants enjoyed long lives filled with peace, fulfillment and a sense of purpose.

In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the best-known representation of this ideal is “Shamballa” (sometimes spelled “Shambala” or “”Shambhala”), said to be a “pure land” in which followers of Gautama Buddha are able to achieve the ideal of true enlightenment. Inspired by this ancient tradition, a shamballa bracelet is said to give the wearer an increased feeling of peace, inner harmony and serenity.

These bracelets have been in great demand as a fashion accessory of late. In the traditional Buddhist design, they typically feature a circle of ball-shaped beads, usually connected by a macrame-style fiber cord. The bracelet may have a clasp or may be a slip-on “bangle” style. The demand has been fueled by their frequent appearances on the wrists of popular entertainers and celebrities including hip-hop and rap stars, teen heartthrob Justin Bieber, supermodels and even basketball legend Michael Jordan. As with many types of beaded bracelets and other jewelry, they are available at prices ranging from under $25.00 for a basic style with wooden beads to several thousand dollars for designs that incorporate diamonds or other precious or semi-precious stones or metals.

How To Make Shamballa Bracelet

If you’re handy with arts and crafts projects and want a shamballa bracelet for yourself or as a gift to your friends or loved ones that bears your personal touch, you can think about making your own. For beading beginners, many craft and specialty bead stores offer do-it-yourself kits for under $20.00. These include various types of beads as well as cord and detailed instructions. Similar kits are also available from a number of online merchants, including www.toocutebeads.com or www.beadinspirations.com. If you’re more experienced at bead work and want instead to create a truly unique and “one of a kind” item, you can purchase your beads and other materials from those same crafts stores (check out the huge bead selection at www.michaels.com, for example). Written and illustrated instructions are as close as a Google search, and there are also many tutorials on the YouTube.com and other free video websites.

Given the current popularity of shamballa bracelets, however, it will come as no surprise to learn that there is an almost limitless selection of complete bracelets available for purchase. Whether you choose to make or buy your shamballa bracelet or hope to get one as a gift from that special someone, there is an almost unlimited selection of styles at prices to suit any budget.

A glittering shamballa bracelet constructed of of eleven genuine white “pave”-style (that is, with many stones set closely together) Swarovski crystal “big beads” (12 millimeters each) is available for under $50.00online from  www.aquacrown.store.buy.com. Shipping is free. Sundar by David Jewelry makes a number of styles of shamballa bracelets, including another pave-style one in jet black and gold plated crystals, available for less than $150.00 and one with beads of smooth and lustrous turquoise for under $60.00. These creations are available through www.amazon.com and numerous other shopping websites.  The “SusanB” web store (www.susanb.com) offers a series of “shamballa inspired” styles for under $100.00, including one with multicolor crystal beads on a black knotted macrame band priced at under $60.00 and an eye-catching one made of fourteen tiger’s eye beads and a single detailed Bali bead with an antique finish (priced at under $70.00).

Although they may seem to be somewhat at odds wit Buddhist teachings of humility and simplicity, if you’re looking for a shamballa bracelet that immediately bring top mind the word “bling”, there are plenty from which to choose. For example, The Jewelry Unlimited web store offers a black and yellow 2.5 carat style for men at around $1,000.00, while the “It’s Hot” super shopping website (www.itshot.com) has a woman’s counterpart with 23 carats of genuine diamonds, retailing for around $5,000.00.