Reply #63: They have been worn for centuries.

[unapatriciated]

http://en.allexperts.com/e/r/ro/rosary.htm
Rosaries or rosary-like necklaces are often worn for non-religious purposes as a fashion or jewelry item, and are sold in different variations in popular jewelry and clothing stores. Such ornamental use, especially the wearing of a rosary around the neck, was heavily popularized by singer Madonna in the early 1980s and has experienced a come-back in recent years.

As a result of the persecutions of Catholicism in England, English-speaking Catholics are taught that it is improper or even sacrilegious to wear a rosary as a necklace, however this is common pious expression among Latin Catholics. Wearing of a Rosary that one actually uses to pray â€" is neither uncommon in various Catholic cultures nor sacrilegious, and was a common practice in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Rosaries are also worn hanging from or looped over a belt, particularly with some religious habits, pinned to and hanging from a shoulder or neckline, or wrapped around a wrist or arm as a bracelet.