Dzi

Dzi bead (pronounced “zee”) is a bead stone of mysterious origin worn as part of a necklace and sometimes as a bracelet. In Tibet, the bead is considered to provide positive spiritual benefit. These beads are generally prized as protective amulets and are sometimes ground up into a powder to be used in traditional Tibetan medicine. Beads subject to this process have small “dig marks” where a portion of the bead has been scraped or shaved away to be ground into the medicine.

Beads that are broken are believed to have a diluted benefit, because they have taken the brunt of the force that it is assumed would have otherwise impacted the wearer.

The most highly prized dzi beads are made of natural agate. Others were apparently manufactured in ancient times.

Dzi