Of course, Malas look good worn for example on a plain unicolour pullover but their original purpose is japa, the recitation of Mantras with their help, just like saying prayers with a rosary.

Mantras are often repeated hundreds of times and reciting them with a Mala helps to keep concentrating on the chanting instead of concentrating on counting. In this way Mantra meditation can be deeper and more powerful.

During the recitation the Mala is held in the right hand between the ring finger and the middle finger. With each Mantra the thumb turns around one bead and with the aid of the middle finger the beads are moved so that the thumb touches the next bead with the next Mantra.

A Mala usually consists of 108 beads plus one bead, the 'sumeru'. By starting the counting at one bead next to the sumeru you will know when you have made one round of 108 Mantras. For the second circle it is general practice to turn the Mala and start with the same bead that you ended with.

Malas can be made of a variety of material. Most commonly used is Tulsi, the plant which is considered as holy. There are Malas of red and of white Sandalwood, of Rudraksh and of rock crystal. Of course you can count your Mantras with each Mala but each material supports certain energy like rock crystal which cools the mind. So for a Mantra that you say for your concentration, a Mala with beads of rock crystal would support the power of the Mantra.