Tibetan dZi and other Himalayan Beads

2011-11-11T15:55:00.001Z

Ancient Three Eyed dZi Bead

36 mm x 11 mm
★●•٠·˙

2011-11-07T20:46:00.002Z

A rare quality 'new' three eyed dZi bead
(less than 10 years old)

from Taiwan or China.

36 mm x 12 mm
★●•٠·˙

2011-10-28T17:38:00.003+01:00

Ancient Indo-Tibetan agate

26 mm x 16 mm

2011-10-28T17:29:00.004+01:00

Ancient Indo-Tibetan banded agate bead.

34 mm x 11 mm

2011-10-28T17:27:00.002+01:00

Ancient Indo-Tibetan banded agate bead.
(one end is damaged and worn smooth
from possibly centuries of wear)

32 mm x13 mm

2011-10-28T15:39:00.000+01:00

Ancient Serpentine Bead

Western Asiatic

19 mm x 6 mm

2011-10-26T18:02:00.000+01:00

A small matched pair of ancient two stripe Chong dZi.

Sourced in Nepal.

18 mm x 6 mm

2011-10-26T17:56:00.000+01:00

A perfect pair of ancient decorated agates

(also known as Longevity dZi because the

decoration resembles the shell of a turtle).

2011-10-25T16:40:00.005+01:00

This is a portion of a damaged ancient 12 eye dZi bead.
Six eyes still remain on this bead.

2011-10-23T18:50:00.000+01:00

Ancient Phum dZi

18 mm x 12 mm

2011-10-23T16:49:00.003+01:00

Above: Banded agate detail.

The above pendant bead was sourced from Thailand a couple
of years ago. This piece was sold as ancient by the seller,
however, I believe this is a newly created piece. New or old
it is still a magnificient piece of agate!
72 mm x 31 mm

2011-10-23T16:36:00.002+01:00

Large ancient Tasso dZi.

28.5 mm x 13 mm

2011-10-23T16:22:00.000+01:00

A long ancient carnelian bicone bead (Western Asiatic)

55 mm x 12 mm (at widest point)

2011-10-23T16:00:00.000+01:00

Ancient Rock Crystal Beads (Western Asiatic)

2011-10-23T15:47:00.002+01:00

Ancient Dvaravati Agate with gold end caps.

86 mm x 8 mm

2011-10-20T18:11:00.002+01:00

A newly created hand carved hexagonal tabular bead.

This tourmaline bead measures only 13 mm
and is carved with Amitabha Buddha on both sides.

2011-10-19T21:19:00.002+01:00

A masterful portrait of a young Tibetan by the

Chinese photograher Zhuang Xueben.

Tibet, 1930s.

2011-10-19T21:01:00.000+01:00

A Tibetan woman with a necklace of coral and dZi.

Yushu, Tibet. 1937. Photo by Zhuang Xueben

2011-10-19T20:57:00.002+01:00

A Tibetan woman wearing a necklace of

coral and Tiger dZi. 1936
Photo by Zhuang Xueben

2011-10-14T17:30:00.004+01:00

Ancient Pumtek stone bead with zig zag decoration.

Pyu/Tircul Period, Burma.

17 mm x 10 mm

2011-10-12T18:48:00.000+01:00

Housed in the Morgan Library Museum, USA.
Mesopotamian Agate Eye Bead

3.84 cm diameter

2011-10-07T16:41:00.000+01:00

Ancient Tabular Banded Agate Bead

24 mm x 20 x 9 mmm

2011-10-07T16:38:00.000+01:00

Ancient agate bead.

21 mm x 15 mm

2011-10-07T16:16:00.001+01:00

Ancient banded agate bead.
18 mm x 11 mm

2011-10-07T16:12:00.000+01:00

Ancient Tasso dZi bead

17 mm x 10 mm

2011-10-03T14:25:00.021+01:00

Above: A new dZi bead from Taiwan. Displaying the sacred swastika decoration. Swastika is an ancient sanskrit word (Sanskrit: स्वस्तिक) that means auspicious or well being. I have seen several ancient tabular dZi (see bead on right) that display swastika decorations, however, they are extremely rare. Some of the earliest forms of the swastika come from the Indus Valley civilisation (3300–1300 BCE). In the Yungdrung Bön tradition of Tibet, the swastika is considered to be an ancient symbol of indestructibility and represents the very essence of the wisdom of Bön. Indeed the name Yungdrung is the Tibetan word for swastika, which may have its roots in the ancient language of Zhang Zhung. It is also a sacred symbol in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Above: Ancient Carnelian with the swastika decoration.

size approx 9.8 mm

Above: A Bön lineage initiation card

卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍卍

2011-09-30T11:39:00.001+01:00

Ancient Two Eyed dZi Bead

with blood spots

25 mm x 11 mm

2011-08-18T19:27:00.001+01:00

Ancient glass bead with three stripes. 45 mm x 14 mm

Sourced in North India

2011-08-18T16:25:00.004+01:00

An ancient Western Asiatic agate turtle or tortoise amulet. 24 mm x 18.5 mm

2011-07-20T14:17:00.003+01:00

A colourful natural 'untreated' agate pebble from the Gobi Desert. Smoothed by the action of wind and sand. It is generally believed that most ancient agate beads were treated to alter or enhance their colour. But it is also clear that a great deal of raw material was colourful and interesting enough not to need any treatments. 46 mm x 40 mm

2011-07-15T11:51:00.002+01:00

Ancient Bhaisajyaguru or Suleimani beads.

2011-07-15T11:45:00.002+01:00

2011-07-15T11:43:00.000+01:00

2011-06-30T21:38:00.006+01:00

Above: a natural Chalcedony from the Gobi Desert. Similar stone material would

have been used in ancient times to create dZi beads.

In the short biography* of Kyala Khenpo Chechok Thondrup it mentions the following:

"Throughout his life, he did many short retreats or less strict retreats of a month or two on enjoying the essence (bChud Len, rasayana), sustaining himself solely with the elixir drawn from flowers and a white stone called Chongzhi (Chong dZi)."

*from Masters of Meditation and Miracles by Tulku Thondup

2011-06-30T21:14:00.002+01:00

Ancient tabular stone bead that appears
to be made from Bowenite.
32 mm diameter. Depth 9 mm

2011-06-29T16:51:00.000+01:00

A high quality new dZi bead from Taiwan (Mid 1990s).

Displays the Sakor Namkor design with extra eye.

2011-06-15T16:12:00.000+01:00

Antique turquoise bead. Sourced in Nepal. 21 mm x 20 mm

2011-06-15T15:54:00.000+01:00

Carved turquoise frog. Sourced in Nepal. 40 mm x 31 mm

2011-06-14T21:10:00.000+01:00

Ancient Two Eye dZi bead with blood spots.25 mm x 11 mm

2011-06-10T21:45:00.001+01:00

This is a large ancient Chong dZi that was sourced in Nepal a few years ago. It was broken in half, so I had a friend put a 24K gold band around the centre. Thanks Jhinpa! 70 mm x 20 mm

2011-06-10T21:36:00.004+01:00

Here we have an antique (not ancient) dZi bead created in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. These beads were probably created in the late 19th century and they are also made from agate. They were first correctly identified by Jamey Allen, a respected bead researcher in the USA. It is also likely they were the first convincing stone replicas of ancient dZi to appear in the Tibetan/Himalayan marketplace. Prior to this, there were decorated Chinese beads made from serpentine and also various glass imitations. Later 20th century imitations include plastic, glass and ceramic. The Taiwanese beads started to appear in the early 1990s and they are the closest in appearance to ancient beads.

I was recently shown a six eye Idar-Oberstein bead by a very respected dZi dealer in Kathmandu. The selling price was almost $6000 (May 2011). The is the most expensive Idar-Oberstein bead I have seen to date - but having said this it was also the best example. Tibetans believe these beads originate from Bhutan, so they call them Bhutanese dZi. Which is probably another way of saying they don't know where they come from. Even though they are not so old they are still very collectible and highly appreciated in Nepal. They are also not as common as you might expect, which is why they command high prices. Of the many thousands of beads I have viewed over the past 15 years, I have seen less than 10 Idar-Oberstein beads for sale. The majority of the Idar-Oberstein beads display six and nine eyes. The bead above displays the Sakor Namkor (Square & Circle) decoration. 31 mm x 12 mm

2011-06-09T15:43:00.002+01:00

Above: Two newly created tabular agate eye beads (Luk Mik).

Probably from China (sourced in Nepal). 26 mm

The surface has added pitting/impact fractures

to give the appearance of age.

2011-06-08T16:51:00.015+01:00

Above: Close up image of a new six eye

This is a new six eye dZi bead from Taiwan (1990s). Notice that the dig on the bead has been rounded at the edges to give the appearance of ancient wear. It is important to recognise that many characteristics you would expect to find on ancient beads can also be seen on new beads. Some bead makers have clearly taken a great deal of time to make beads look as authentic as possible. These beads are in the minority but they are certainly in circulation and have been for 20 years! Taiwanese beads have been around since the early 1990s (possibly late 1980s). In recent years the quality of new dZi from China and Taiwan has deteriorated, which is why the earliest Taiwanese beads often get confused for genuine ancient beads. Also, if a new dZi bead has been worn on the body for a number of years it will develop its own usage patina. Sharp edges may become smooth from rubbing and the porous areas will absorb oils from the body. This can alter the colour of the bead and will certainly give it a look and feel that might lead one to believe it is much older than it is.

Some points (not set in concrete) that might help you with identifying ancient eye dZi:

Most new beads have a very uniformed shape. This can mean that the ends are often perfectly rounded, which is a characteristic seldom seen on ancient eye dZi. Ancient beads will often show wear at the perforations or the ends might be slightly mishapen from rubbing against other beads. I have yet to see a new bead that convincingly copies this.
New beads are machine drilled and the hole is usually very straight and of a uniform size. Ancient beads were drilled by hand from both ends and therefore the holes are less likely to be so aligned. One end may have a hole that is more off centre for example or one hole may be slightly bigger than the other. Taking a cast of the perforation may also tell you how the bead was drilled.
If you have a bead that clearly displays a great deal of weathering to the body - such as impact fractures and rounded surface digs, and the ends show absolutely no signs of wear - this 'might' be a sign that this bead is new. Modern bead makers rarely concentrate on the ends of a bead. Also, look at the tiny impact marks. If the bead has circular marks and they are all exactly the same size and shape - it is likely this has been applied with a tool and thus is not the sign of great age. Many new beads are also placed in a tumbler to give the apperance of age. It is therefore important not to base your trust solely on the appearance of a beads surface.
Look at the quality of the decoration. Ancient dZi usually have a decoration that penetrates deep into the body of the bead. I have seen beads with a decoration that can penetrate the stone up to 3 mm, which is why a stone will not loose its decoration after 2000 years of rubbing on the body. The decoration rarely has the look of being 'painted' on the surface of the bead for example. It should blend with the base colour of the stone in a way that new beads often do not. The lines of the decoration are usually artistic and generous compared to the much thinner lines we see on new beads. New beads often show decorated lines that become translucent at the edges and they do not always blend well with the base colour. Somtimes new beads display a 'halo' effect or border around the decoration, which is more noticeable under magnification. This can be seen clearly on the new six eye bead shown directly below this post.

................I will add more to this post when I have some more time.

2011-06-08T15:51:00.016+01:00

Above: A new six eye dZi bead. (Taiwan 1990s)

Above: A new two eye dZi bead from Taiwan or China. Artificially aged. 33 mm x 11 mm

The above bead is a good example of an artificially aged bead. The body displays a number of digs that have been rounded and polished. This gives the impression of genuine old weathering, worn smooth from centuries of close contact to the body. Also, the decorated lines give a false appearance of ancient corrosion or heat damage. However, the maker has completely neglected the ends and perforations, thus making it easy to recognise the bead as a modern replica.

The ends show the original colour of the stone material (white). The black/grey areas are the artificial base colour. The ends are highly polished and perfectly rounded. The stone at the ends is comparable in quality to many newly created agates coming out of China. Both rounded ends look identical in shape and the holes are central and straight - they are also exactly the same diameter at both ends. The ends show no signs of weathering or any indication that this bead has been strung. In fact the holes still have a sharp edge, which suggests they have been recently drilled. However, it is important to note that smooth edges does not always indicate a bead is ancient. There are many ancient dZi that also show no signs of weathering for a number of reasons, however, the quality of the agate, style of decoration, drilling methods, provenance and other indications should be enough to determine whether it is genuine.

Since I have also seen a large strand of these beads (in Nepal) of comparable quality and size, it also makes it easier to know they are modern replicas of ancient beads. Makers of new dZi tend to make beads that are very similar looking in shape, size, quality of material and style of decoration (see Enijew for example). Therefore if you see many beads that look identical in quality it is likely they are fresh out of the same factory. Ancient dZi that have been worn for generations, often have a very unique usage patina - which is very difficult to fake. It is therefore extremely hard to find ancient dZi that are a perfect match. So if you see a seller on ebay offering beads as 'ancient' and they have a whole store full of very similar looking beads - be careful!

2011-06-07T20:21:00.000+01:00

A new six eye dZi bead created in the early 1990s (Taiwan).

2011-06-07T20:16:00.003+01:00

Above: This is a new three eye dZi bead from Taiwan (early 1990s). We have been posting the most convincing new dZi beads to this blog for years, in effort to help collectors distinguish between genuine ancient beads and the finer Taiwanese replicas. This is the very first Taiwanese bead I purchased.

Above: A new Taiwanese dZi from the early to mid 1990s. Displays a wave, lotus, square and circle decoration. What is interesting about this bead is the size of the holes (4 mm). They are the largest holes I have seen on any new dZi bead. From experience the vast majority of new beads have a hole size of no more than 2.5 mm.

2011-06-07T19:44:00.013+01:00

The eye bead above is a new dZi from Taiwan. The bead displays red blood spots (iron inclusions). It is true that Tibetans look for blood spots to help distinguish ancient beads from the modern replicas, however, it is mistaken to believe that blood spots can only appear on ancient beads. The above Taiwanese bead is proof that this is not the case. Many new beads can also have 'brown' inclusions which are often confused with blood spots, but they are not always the same thing. Also, the spots on the above bead are clearly inherent in the stone, which means they have not been applied to the surface. Many new beads have artificial surface fissures/cracks which are coated in a red dye to give the appearance of age and blood spots (see the bead below). This is often called 'Dragon Veins' by Chinese sellers of new dZi. If you look at the bead below, you will also see that the perforation has some leftover dye. This is a clear sign that the red dye has been added after the bead has been drilled.

Above: A new dZi bead with red dye applied to the body.

This gives the appearance of red veins and is an
attempt to imitate the red blood spots often
seen on ancient beads.

The bead shown below is a rare quality Taiwanese bead. This bead displays 'brown' inclusions which are very different from the 'red' spots that Tibetans look for when identifying ancient beads. It is possible these inclusions are simply the result of a chemical reaction between the decorated lines and the artificial base colour during the heating of the stone - rather than being inherent to the stone itself.

Above: A new 'Mountain peak' dZi bead with brown inclusions.

Above: A new Lotus/Vase dZi bead with brown inclusions that are

often mistaken for 'red' blood spots. They are not the same thing!

Above: A new Tiger dZi bead with 'black' spot inclusions.

2011-06-03T22:42:00.000+01:00

Antique amber bead with repair. Sourced in Nepal. diameter 35 mm

2011-06-03T22:38:00.001+01:00

Antique carved ivory bead from Tibet. 25 mm x 17 mm

2011-02-10T18:24:00.002Z

originally uploaded by Falsalama's Tibet.

2011-01-31T17:35:00.011Z

Five Ancient Phum dZi beads. Centre bead measures 30 mm x 18 mm.

2011-01-20T14:52:00.003Z

A mix of ancient decorated and undecorated agates and carnelians.

2011-01-05T20:35:00.071Z

".......people of ancient times assessed the pattern of gzi stones with attention in order to establish their price: they took into consideration the distinctive characteristics of the object created, as well as the number of fountain of water [chu mig] patterns, and the variety of the lines. This skill in evaluating has been retained to the present time, and is a recognized capacity."

~ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ~

I would like to take a brief look at the fairly recent (2009) book by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, entitled The Light of Kailash - A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet. There is a short section that focuses on dZi and thogchags (gZi and thog lchags), which I find intriguing and certainly needs further investigation.

It is not made clear whether this knowledge has been gleaned from ancient writings or early texts -- or whether this is purely the understanding of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu -- based on Tibetan oral lore. Several pages include drawings of 'gzi' beads, and the Tibetan names are given for the different types of decoration and the shape of beads. He refers to eyes as 'drop-like' patterns, which are known as 'Chu Mig' and translated in the book as 'fountain of water'. Although a more literal translation would be 'Water Eye' or even 'Water Hole'. Likening the eyes to 'fountains of water' gives us a sense of the dZi overflowing with power and purity and perhaps points at the curative qualities associated with dZi beads.

He also mentions that a dZi bead can be of four types:

White dZi (White base colour) with a dark or red design.

Red dZi (Red base colour) with a white or red design

Dark dZi (Brown and Black base colour) with white or red design.

Variegated dZi. This means the dZi bead has a 'mixed colour' base and a 'less visible' design. I assume that this might include beads that are of the more translucent variety and might even be regarded as a type of Chong dZi.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu also tells us that dZi can have up to twelve 'fountain of water' patterns [eyes].

What I find most interesting is the inclusion of 'spherical' dZi beads (above), which he also divides into four types, depending on the base colour and the differing 'wave-like' patterns. This is worth attention because in the past 15 years, I have only ever seen two genuine ancient dZi beads of a spherical shape. Both were in a private Taiwanese collection. These beads were distinct and of the same quality and type of manufacture as a pure dZi. The beads I viewed displayed eyes and did not include any other type of decoration. I want to make it clear that these beads were not the same as the dark agate 'spherical' beads with decorated equatorial lines, usually associated with India and Burma. The beads I viewed were of comparable quality to the oblong, fusiform or oval tube dZi with eyes (see two eyed dZi below), which Tibetans most revere.

OK, so this means that pure dZi of a spherical shape are extremely rare and virtually unheard of. It therefore surprised me to see these included in Namkai Norbu Rinpoche's book. This doesn't mean that other types of spherical dZi do not exist, but I have never encountered a spherical pure dZi with the designs that Chögyal Namkai Norbu shows in his book. Even other non-pure ancient dZi types (adopted as Tibetan/Himalayan possibly originating from India or Western Asia) do not commonly display this design. We mainly see this particular type of zig zag decoration on ancient round carnelians, but Tibetans do not regard these beads as a type of pure dZi.

Since only drawings were included in his book, this leads me to speculate that the beads Rinpoche is referring to, might actually be oval beads with 'wave-like' designs. They are known more commonly as Tiger dZi (Taklok) because of their tiger-like stripes. However, this doesn't seem likely because the 'artistic style' of the decoration is quite different to that displayed on ancient Tiger dZi. Oval dZi beads also have a distinct and notable shape, so I very much doubt this would have been overlooked in his publication. Having considered all of this, we can then ask if there are other possibilities. When I look at the bead designs shown in his book, I personally recognise them as being of a different bead type altogether and not necessarily Tibetan. If beads of this type did indeed exist in ancient Tibet and continue to be prized today, then we should look at the possibilities of where they came from and who created them.

Are there any beads of similar appearance found elsewhere in Asia?

Anyone who is familiar with ancient and antique Burmese beads known as Pumtek (Buried Thunderbolt), will recognise the above drawings as being typical of these beads. Decorated spherical beads were probably the most common type of stone bead in ancient Burma and they are still prized by the Chin people today. In much the same way that Tibetans prize dZi beads. The bead makers of ancient Burma were master artisans, and their decorated stone beads are often compared to ancient dZi. I have also come across a number of opalised Pumtek beads included on Tibetan strands in Nepal. It is therefore clear that Pumtek did travel to neighboring countries and perhaps the link between Pumtek and dZi is worth far more investigation. It is possible that the beads Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is referring to, are actually of Burmese origin [Samon or Pyu civilisation] and were traded to Tibet from Burma, or via other trade routes like India and Nepal. Perhaps these early Burmese beads were then adopted as true dZi by Tibetans and continue to be viewed as such.

It would be great if the spherical beads Rinpoche refers to, are genuine ancient dZi beads that are super rare -- and not yet widely known outside of Tibet. Perhaps this design was greatly treasured in Ancient Tibet, and it therefore influenced early Burmese bead makers to create similar beads. We know that the earliest settlers in Burma were in fact Sino-Tibetans, so this is also plausible. If we can get some photos of these ancient spherical dZi it may just help solve this mystery.

Photo above: An ancient heirloom Pumtek bead from Burma with a striking resemblance to the 'spherical gzi' drawings in Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's book.

2010-12-23T22:13:00.006Z

Antique imitation dZi beads made from glass and an imitation nine eye dZi bead (ceramic). Sourced in Nepal. Smallest bead 15.19 mm x 13.40 mm

2010-12-23T19:38:00.004Z

Ancient rock crystal bead. Sourced in Nepal. 15 mm

2010-12-23T19:32:00.002Z

Ancient faceted rock crystal bead. Sourced in Nepal. 13.75 mm x 11.25 mm

2010-12-09T21:01:00.007Z

An ancient agate eye bead (convex shape on both sides). Western Asiatic. This bead has no noticeable crystalline banding that forms an eye, nor has it been decorated with an eye design. So in this case it is the shape of the bead that indicates it as being an eye amulet. James Lankton places a similar bead (no.208) on his timeline and dates it to around 4000 BCE. 30 mm x 25 mm x 10 mm

2010-11-29T19:17:00.026Z

Imitation Sakor Namkor sourced in North India (2010). 39.07 mm x 13.91.

This is an uncommon imitation Sakor Namkor dZi bead, created from quartz and with black decorated lines. I do not know of any ancient dZi beads made purely from decorated quartz, so this tells us immediately that this is a new creation. All ancient dZi are created from agate and in some rare cases carnelian, which are both distinct varieties of Chalcedony. Bead makers in antiquity favoured Chalcedony because it is more porous than the more abundant quartz material. This greatly increases the potential for colour alteration, which in turn enhances the appearance of natural banding in the stone. Dark agate beads (browns and blacks) were clearly favoured in antiquity, and this colour was mainly achieved through artificial colouring. This might have included soaking the agate in various chemical solutions for long periods and heating the material to allow the solution to permanently darken the stone. On the bead above, the lines may have been carved into the stone and then filled with an unknown black substance. It has then been polished so that the decoration is flush with the surface. The quartz has not been dyed or treated to alter the colour unlike ancient dZi.

Above: A small ancient decorated carnelian (12 mm x 5 mm)

with a pinkish white body and dark lines.

The colour is probably the
result of fire damage.

We do see ancient white stone beads with dark lines, however, most have probably been damaged by excessive heat at the time of being made. Sometimes this appearance is attributed to beads being buried for long periods but this is still unproven. Ancient decorated carnelians (also known as etched carnelians) will sometimes display a white body with black lines (Beck classifies this as Type II). It is unlikely that this was the intention of the bead maker because the overall result is usually quite crude. Ancient dZi beads that display crystalline areas or translucent banding on the body, are a clear testament to colour treatments not being able to take to the crystalline areas--and so this is why we do not see ancient dZi beads made purely from this material.

2010-11-19T17:05:00.003Z

An uncommon carved stone pendant (jasper?). Possibly in the form of a kartika or tantric flaying knife. This clearly displays great age and is believed to be ancient. Sourced in North India from a Tibetan dZi trader. 32.22 mm x 10.51 mm

2010-11-10T21:29:00.001Z

Ancient agate eye bead. Sourced from a Tibetan trader in North India. 26.72 mm x 19.67 mm

2010-11-10T20:16:00.003Z

A large ancient Chong dZi bead. Displays two decorated equatorial stripes. 43 mm x 14.11 mm

2010-10-15T14:26:00.002+01:00

A large Western Asiatic ancient Sardonyx bead with a natural eye formation. 47.45 mm x 30.07 mm x 26.12 mm (depth).

2010-09-16T12:46:00.005+01:00

A 'new' dZi bead with one eye. Sourced in North India. The perforation has also been slightly worked to give the appearance of old wear. 31 mm x 15.5 mm

2010-09-04T21:51:00.007+01:00

A Tibetan woman (1930s) wears a necklace comprised of ancient dZi, banded agates (also known as Bhaisajyaguru dZi), coral and a large amulet or gau box. Gaus with the 'two intersecting squares' design were apparently very fashionable in Lhasa from "at least the middle of the 19th century". According to John Clarke (Victoria and Albert Museum Curator) this symbolises two crossed dorjes or a double vajra. They can often be made from silver or gold and can be inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones, more commonly with coral and turquoise. These days similar gaus may even contain precious stones like rubies and diamonds and display a chosen deity on the front. The gau might contain a wealth of sacred items that have been blessed by revered Lamas. They might also contain relics, mantras, a small statue or Tsa Tsa and are regarded as one of the most important family heirloom pieces.

2010-08-27T18:53:00.011+01:00

A lovely tabular agate eye bead from Great Britain. It was aquired from the famous Keith Mitchell gem collection, and is believed to be from the Georgian era (1714 to 1830). Agate eye beads and pendants were once popular in the UK, probably reaching their peak in jewellery use during the Victorian period. An agate brooch (commonly set with a 'bulls eye' agate) were particularly favoured in Victorian times. 38 mm x 27 mm x 12 mm.

2010-08-27T15:50:00.002+01:00

A matched pair of ancient Tasso dZi beads.

largest 29.35 mm x 13.40 mm Smallest 28.09 mm x 13.10 mm

2010-08-26T21:55:00.007+01:00

A large matched pair of ancient Tasso dZi beads flank an ancient Tiger dZi.

Tasso dZi approx 30 mm x 13 mm Tiger dZi 18.12 mm x 14.91 mm

2010-08-02T17:12:00.006+01:00

Various ancient stone beads. All sourced in Nepal.

2010-08-02T17:08:00.001+01:00

Ancient carnelian beads. Sourced in Nepal.

2010-08-02T17:05:00.004+01:00

Ancient blue chalcedony beads.

2010-07-26T16:28:00.001+01:00

Ancient banded agate or Bhaisajyaguru bead. Sourced in Nepal. 16.51 mm

2010-07-05T10:59:00.003+01:00

Ancient jasper eye amulet (Western Asia).

2010-06-30T15:58:00.008+01:00

Two banded agate tabular eye beads from the 1990s. Both beads came out of Asia but the agate reminds me of material from Botswana, Africa. length 30 mm width 24 mm depth 11 mm

2010-06-22T17:16:00.006+01:00

A new bow shaped dZi which was found in Mandi, North India (2007). Both the shape and stylised eyes are not often seen on new beads. 38 mm x 13 mm

2010-06-21T17:11:00.007+01:00

A huge silver amulet with antique coral, amber, silver, and ancient agates.

2010-06-18T19:46:00.004+01:00

Reinhold Messner is seen here wearing a two eyed dZi bead flanked with red coral. This is the typical way a man would wear a dZi bead in the Himalayan regions. Messner says he obtained his bead in Tingri in 1981 and it always fascinates the Sherpas and Tibetans when they see him wearing it. He is regarded by some as the greatest mountain climber of all time. In the 1970s he was the first to reach the summit of Everest without bottled oxygen. Following that he was the first to achieve a solo Everest climb. In 2004 he completed a 2000 kilometer expedition through the Gobi desert. The list goes on!

2010-06-10T17:29:00.014+01:00

A stunning ancient bicone jasper disc bead. 46.77 mm (diameter) x 14.62 (depth). It always amazes me how jasper is often overlooked in favour of banded agate beads. Jasper is an opaque form of chalcedony and the name is likely to have originated from the Persian word "yašp". Jasper is certainly amongst the most colourful materials used in antiquity. According to the second book of the Hebrew bible (Exodus), it was also used in the breastplate of Jewish high priests. This bead was supposedly found in the Western Sahara desert and was possibly a spindle whorl.

2010-06-09T18:21:00.001+01:00

A newly created bow shaped agate bead. Sourced in Nepal 37.59 mm x 15 mm

2010-06-09T18:16:00.002+01:00

A newly created bow shaped agate bead. Also known as leech, wedge or 'cattle horn' beads.
Sourced in Nepal. 35 mm x 15 mm

2010-06-09T15:23:00.003+01:00

Ancient agate bead 30 mm x 28 mm

2010-06-09T15:16:00.004+01:00

Ancient agate bead 30 mm x 28 mm

2010-05-28T16:04:00.004+01:00

Garuda or Khyung Thokcha 29 mm x 27 mm

2010-05-25T17:06:00.014+01:00

A lotus seed mala turned dark from years of use, with an old turquoise guru bead.

2010-05-20T19:26:00.010+01:00

A very large ancient Chong dZi with a nicely contrasted single stripe or equatorial zone. Displays genuine medicinal digs. The end shavings allow one to see the original colour of the stone before it received colour enhancement. 58 mm x 18 mm

2010-05-18T15:26:00.009+01:00

Imitation banded agate beads made from plastic. Sourced in Nepal. approx 12 mm x 10 mm

2010-05-17T21:51:00.001+01:00

A pair of ancient two eyed dZi beads.

2010-05-12T10:22:00.012+01:00

Above: Togden Shakya Shri (1853-1919). A master of Mahamudra and Dzogchen

The great Tibetan Yogi and luminary of the 19th century Rime movement, Ju Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912), was very close to the renowned Dzogchen master, Togden Shakya Shri. When he heard that Shaya Shri was sick he sent him a letter with the following items and tells him:

" As an offering for your protection I have sent you pills made with the substances of a red cow and three round Zi gems. With best wishes for your good health and the hope to meet you in the future."

Elio Guarisco, the translator of this Namthar mentions in his notes the following:

"Zi (gzi) gem: a patterned stone unique to Tibet, similar to a carnelian. According to some, the gem was used in Shang Shung (zhang zhung) kingdom as money. Its divine origin is one of the many legends surrounding this expensive stone."

Togden Shakya Shri ~ The Life and Liberation of a Tibetan Yogin by Kathog Situ Chokyi Gyatso (translated from the Tibetan by Elio Guarisco).

2010-05-11T22:08:00.002+01:00

Newly created oval Tiger dZi and oval Lotus dZi. Sourced in Nepal. Largest 22 mm x 20 mm Smallest 20 mm x 17 mm.

2010-05-07T19:45:00.002+01:00

Ancient banded agate bead. 33 mm x 15 mm

2010-04-16T19:58:00.001+01:00

Khampa Tibetan Costume at Litang, originally uploaded by kayforest.

2010-04-16T12:36:00.018+01:00

Tibetan Calligraphy Copyright© 2010 Tashi Mannox

Above we can see a wonderful calligraphy by the very talented Tashi Mannox. You can also view his blog here. This piece was used in my recent dZi bead article for Sacred Hoop Magazine. Here we can see the word dZi (shown in the Horyig seal script in red). It is also incorporated into the design on the black and white dZi. The white text at the base of the piece translates as 'Blaze with Majestic Brilliance'.

We all know that Tibetans value dZi beads as amulets. They are seen as a safe guard against illness or perhaps harmful spirits. In Tibetan society, heirloom beads are often worn during festivals and special occasions. This is seen as an opportunity to showcase prized beads that may have been in a family for many generations. The Tibetan word for confidence is ziji, which is made up of zi meaning shine and ji meaning splendour, radiance or dignity. I personally feel that when we connect the word ziji to dZi beads, it reflects the underlying attitude and intent of the Tibetans who wear them. As the Tibetan Buddhist master, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche says: “A person with ziji has dignity, the radiant power of a mind that has relaxed into its own inherent strength”.

2010-04-15T15:37:00.001+01:00

Ancient Banded Agate and Chalcedony beads. The large focal bead measures 30 mm x 22 mm.

2010-04-13T22:35:00.003+01:00

A large Ancient Tasso dZi. This bead displays a rarely seen decorated 'white' stripe on an opaque darkened agate base. The greyish colour of the lines probably indicates fire damage. Sourced in Nepal. approx 29 mm x 12 mm

2010-04-13T22:14:00.001+01:00

Ancient Chung dZi. Sourced in Nepal. 31 mm x 11 mm

2010-04-12T20:47:00.002+01:00

A very beautiful antique turquoise bead. Sourced in Nepal. 40 mm x 34 mm

2010-04-12T20:32:00.001+01:00

A rare ancient green jasper bead from Nepal. 30 mm x 26 mm

2010-04-12T13:19:00.009+01:00

Above: Pagor Headress

Old turquoise and silver pendant beads. This type of pendant is probably meant to represent the Indian chank shell or conch. The conch is one of the eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism. It is worn in Southern Tibet in a headress called a Pagor.

Largest pendant measures 68 mm x 40 mm.

2010-04-09T18:17:00.009+01:00

These are banded agate beads that closely resemble the ancient Bhaisajyaguru dZi or Soleimani Beads but are a fraction of the price. They are often mistaken for ancient beads because the quality is so good. Despite being newer creations they are not so common. In the past 10 years I have only seen a handful of strands. They possibly originate from China but were sourced in Nepal.

2010-01-05T16:30:00.007Z

Antique or Ancient Jasper disc beads? There is mixed opinion about the age of these beads. I have heard anything from 500 years to 2000 years old. They are likely to date somewhere between 500 CE to 1000 CE + or -. I have yet to discover these great looking beads outside of Nepal, although I have heard rumours of them being found in North India. If you know more about them please email me. largest diameter 21 mm

2010-01-04T21:07:00.001Z

Ancient Luk Mik dZi. 26.64 mm

Tibetan dZi and other Himalayan Beads

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