Lava stone jewelry has a small trick that most beads don't. The black lava beads are porous, so they soak up a drop of oil and give it back slowly through the day. That's why you'll see them sold as wearable diffusers. There is nothing to plug in and nothing to charge. You put a drop on a bead and wear it.
Here is how to do it well, and what to watch out for.
Which beads take the oil
Only the lava beads. Gemstones, metal spacers and charms don't absorb anything, and oil sitting on them can mark the finish or stain a cord. If your bracelet or necklace mixes lava with other stones, keep the oil on the black beads.
How to add oil
- Take the piece off and lay it flat on a tissue.
- Add one drop of essential oil to a lava bead. Two is plenty for a larger bead.
- Wait a couple of minutes while it soaks in. This keeps the oil off your skin and your sleeves.
- Put it on.
Start with one drop and see how strong it smells on you. You can always add more later.
How long does the scent last
It varies with the oil and the bead. Many sellers say a couple of hours, and lighter citrus oils fade faster than woody or resinous ones. When the scent is gone, add another drop. The beads will keep holding scent for a while, so if you want to switch to a different oil, wait until the first one has faded.
Safety basics
Essential oils are concentrated, and a few simple habits go a long way.
- Keep the oil away from your eyes, nose, inner ears and any broken skin.
- Don't swallow it, and keep the bottle away from children.
- Some oils are harmful to pets, so check before wearing it around cats and dogs.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have sensitive skin or a medical condition, read the guidance for the specific oil first.
- If a bead leaves your skin red or itchy, stop wearing it. Diluting the oil in a carrier oil and doing a patch test on your inner arm first is a sensible way to start.
None of this is medical advice. Lava stone jewelry is a pleasant way to carry a scent. It isn't a treatment for anything.
Our lava piece
The Rudraksha & Lava Mala is a long meditation mala of rudraksha seeds and black lava, with a carved guru bead and a silk tassel. It measures 26 inches from the top to the tip of the tassel. Put the oil on the lava beads only and keep it off the tassel, because oil can mark silk. If you'd like to know more about malas, read what a mala is and what rudraksha beads mean.
Looking after lava jewelry
Lava is brittle, so avoid knocking it against hard surfaces. Keep oils off the cord and clasp, wipe the bracelet with a dry cloth, and store it away from heat. Our care guide covers the rest.
Browse all of our jewelry
Every piece is one of a kind and handmade by Ellie. See them all on our jewelry page.
Related reading
- What is a mala, and how do you use one?
- Rudraksha beads: what they mean and how to wear them
- How to clean and care for gemstone jewellery
Gemstone jewelry by Ellie
Every piece is one of a kind, strung and wired by hand in Canada.
Explore the jewelry →Sources used: Beadaholique, "How to Add Essential Oils to a Lava Bead Bracelet"; seller guidance from Not On The High Street and PureSpaDirect on drops and care.