The above bead is a rare quality 'new' six eyed dZi with longevity decoration. I have posted a number of high quality new dZi so that you can make comparisons between ancient beads and the new dZi currently offered in the marketplace. It is rare to find new dZi of this quality and beads such as this will command higher prices because they closely resemble ancient beads. The many new dZi beads on ebay (sold as ancient) do not come close to this quality which is why these beads are very sought after.
It is important to be clear about new dZi beads. Any 'agate' bead that is newly created with a newly applied decoration is a new dZi bead. The quality of new dZi will range from the very crude to the very beautiful. Beads that are made from other types of stone material, glass, wood, plastic and bone are merely imitation dZi (not new dZi).
It is very rare to find a new dZi bead that is more than 15 years old. It is worth noting that there are some rare antique (not ancient) decorated agate beads that are sometimes found in the Himalayan regions. They are believed to be somewhere between 100 and 200 years old. They are typically cylindrical in shape, opaque and jet black in colour. They also seem to be very slightly faceted and as this is subtle it is only really noticeable under magnification. They also have slightly rounded ends which is distinct from other new dZi coming from Mainland China. The decoration is white or cream coloured and they are mostly seen with six eyes or nine eyes but other motifs can also be found (like the Sakor Namkor shown below). They are very uncommon because they were originally made in Idar-Oberstein in Germany (Jamey D Allen). It is unknown at this time just how many of these beads were traded to the Himalayas. Whilst they do not command the same prices as ancient beads they are still more valuable than other new beads being sold. The largest producer of new dZi beads is currently Mainlaind China.
Above: Idar Oberstein 'Sakor Namkor' dZi bead
(crafted in Germany, 100 to 200 years old)
It is important to be clear about new dZi beads. Any 'agate' bead that is newly created with a newly applied decoration is a new dZi bead. The quality of new dZi will range from the very crude to the very beautiful. Beads that are made from other types of stone material, glass, wood, plastic and bone are merely imitation dZi (not new dZi).
It is very rare to find a new dZi bead that is more than 15 years old. It is worth noting that there are some rare antique (not ancient) decorated agate beads that are sometimes found in the Himalayan regions. They are believed to be somewhere between 100 and 200 years old. They are typically cylindrical in shape, opaque and jet black in colour. They also seem to be very slightly faceted and as this is subtle it is only really noticeable under magnification. They also have slightly rounded ends which is distinct from other new dZi coming from Mainland China. The decoration is white or cream coloured and they are mostly seen with six eyes or nine eyes but other motifs can also be found (like the Sakor Namkor shown below). They are very uncommon because they were originally made in Idar-Oberstein in Germany (Jamey D Allen). It is unknown at this time just how many of these beads were traded to the Himalayas. Whilst they do not command the same prices as ancient beads they are still more valuable than other new beads being sold. The largest producer of new dZi beads is currently Mainlaind China.
Above: Idar Oberstein 'Sakor Namkor' dZi bead
(crafted in Germany, 100 to 200 years old)
Typically called 'Bhutanese' dZi by Tibetans.
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