dZi Beads~                                     click on image for larger view

	dZi Pendants Antique Chung dZi bead fragments set as pendants in 22kt gold. ZP301  $225- $425 each		dZi Pendants Antique Chung dZi bead fragments set as pendants in Nepalese sterling silver. ZP101   $125 each
	Capped dZi Beads Antique Chung dZi beads capped with 22kt gold. Some of these have been repaired. ZB500  $108 each		Nine Eye dZi Bead Himalayan, c.1000bc-? Broken and repaired, but still spectacular. 45mm long.
	New dZi Beads True etched agates, very nice beads. From China or Taiwan. NZ300   $108 each		dZi Belt Buckle Sterling belt buckle set with antique dZi fragments and Tibetan turquoise. ZBBa   $300 ZBBb   $350
	New dZi Beads True etched agates, very nice beads. From China or Taiwan. NZ300   $108 each		New dZi Beads  True etched agates, from China 12mm round. NZ200   $25 each
	Mock dZi Good looking fake dZi beads, new from Tibet. MZ200 small   $6.00 medium  $8.00 large   $10.00		Mock dZi Glass dZi beads, new  from India. MZ101   $.75 each or 10/$5.00

Few beads are surrounded by as much myth and mystery as the dZi bead (say ZEE). These etched agates are found in Tibet, Bhutan, Ladakh, and Nepal, and are believed to be about two thousand years old. Many legends accompany the  beads- that they were not made by man but created by the gods, that they bring luck and ward off evil, that they protect the wearer from physical harm by taking  the abuse upon themselves, and that the bead itself will choose its' owner and will not stay with an unlucky person. (To which we can only add, certainly a person is unlucky who loses a dZi at today's prices).

Tibetans evaluate the purity of a bead by many criteria, such as good contrast, desirable patterning, symmetrical shape and strong color. Chung or 'lesser' dZi  beads refer to natural or created banded agates without eyes, these are also much collected.

Of late, 'new' dZi beads are being made in China and Taiwan. These are true  etched agates probably made the same way as the ancient dZi beads, and while desirable and collectible for what they are, care should be taken. We have recently seen these new dZi beads being sold as ancient.

Here at Tiger we will always tell you what we believe to be true about a bead. Mail order beads are always sent "on approval" and we will cheerfully refund your money at any time if you suspect the bead to be other than represented.