4 Types of Tibetan Dzi Beads

These Tibetan beads, known as the Dzi variety, are a beautiful type that is archaic and they look amazing. In Tibetan, Dzi means purity, dignity and perfection, coinciding with these options. They look great with jewelry crafts and are highly sought after by a variety of collectors. The most sought after type of Dzi bead is the pure variety. These pieces are also found in the neighboring countries of India and Nepal. Many of them are still in the Boston Historical Museum and date from 1959 and earlier.

Chung

While not as desirable as the pure pieces, these Tibetan works of art are a fantastic example of the areas style. These are made of agate stone, which is why they are not recognized as the pure variety. Some common styles of Chung Dzi beads are the “Eye” design, known as dzi mig inga pa, or a series of stripes across the entire length of the bead. Like all Dzi beads, Chung beads come in two general shapes, the tube and the circular dot. Colors include black, white, and various colors of brown, from tan to dark.

Pure

Pure beads are hard to come by and are no longer made. This means that anyone you come across today is likely to be dirty and slightly faded. There are a few ways to identify a pure dzi over an imitation or chung. The cinnabar lines around the outer edge are the most important marking to look for. The size of the Dzi also changes the value, the bigger the more expensive. The “dragon marks” on the dzi run the full length of the bead and are signs of personal craftsmanship on the piece. As Tibetan beads age, the white areas turn a darker brown due to dust and dirt. This is often how the pure bead is aged, and the older the piece, the more collectible and desirable.

Imitation

While they can be used to fool potential customers, there are plenty of gorgeous beads being sold as replicas. In most cases, they are made of glass or plastic. The easiest way to check if the bead is a fake is if a light behind the bead shines easily. You can also tell by the absence of any dragon markings that the bead is a replica. Replica pieces look great with jewelry pieces where you wouldn’t want to wear an actual pure dzi.

Turquoise

Turquoise has been commonly used in dzi jewelry since the beginning of its creation. This is not just because they accentuate the colors of the Tibetan beads, but because they are spiritual stones in the religious aspects of the area. Some beads are made from these stones, but they are rare and not worth as much as pure ones. They are more for aesthetic purposes than collectibles.

Conclusion

These precious Tibetan beads remain a mystery to modern collectors as their beauty and majesty are unmatched in other crafts. If you’re a crafter, this is one product you don’t want to miss out on.