Design
Dzi stones are made from agate, and may have decorative symbols composed of circles, ovals, squares, waves or zig zags, stripes, lines, diamonds, dots, and various other archetypal and symbolic patterns. Colors mainly range from brown to black, with the pattern usually in ivory white. Dzi beads can appear in different colours, shapes, and sizes; the surface is usually smooth and waxy, presumably from wear over a long period of time.
Sometimes the natural patterns (usually "layered" swirls) of the agate can be seen underneath or behind the decorative symbols and designs, and sometimes not.
Some dzi beads sport what are referred to as "blood spots," which are tiny red dots in the white areas, indicative of cinnabar content. This is highly desirable, but relatively rare. Another desirable effect is something called "Nāga skin" which refers to tiny circular weathering marks on the surface of the bead that resemble scales. Some dzi beads are simply polished agate, with only the agate's natural patterning as decoration.
The number of "eyes" on the stone is considered significant. "Eyes" are the circular dot (eye-like) designs, and depending on their number and arrangement, they represent different things. The highest number of eyes on ancient dzi is twelve. One thirteen-eye bead has been reported from a Taiwanese collector but its genuineness has not been confirmed; therefore anything having more than twelve eyes is considered non-traditional. Any accompanying story or benefit tale is assumed to be fake as well, and a mere marketing strategy for the lucrative feng shui item market.
Read more about this topic: Dzi Bead
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