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Mileage Chart
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3x3mm Dyed Coral Cylinder Beads 18" string/approx. 150 beads #GCORL3CYLNDR ORDER CORAL BEADS |
$9.00 /string |
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4x7mm Dyed Coral Barrel Beads 24" string/approx. 75 beads #GCORL4X7BARREL ORDER CORAL BEADS |
$12.00 /string |
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4x8mm Dyed Coral Sausage Beads 16" string/approx. 55 beads #GCORL4X8SAUSAG ORDER CORAL BEADS |
$6.00 /string |
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3x7mm Dyed Coral Tube Beads 16" string/approx. 51 beads #GCORL3X7TUBE ORDER CORAL BEADS |
$6.00 /string |
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5x8mm Dyed Coral Tube Beads 17" string/approx. 50 beads #GCORL5X8TUBE ORDER CORAL BEADS |
$9.00 /string |
| CLICK HERE to go to GEMSTONE BEADS Ababalone-Chrysoprase | ||
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10x14mm Carnelian Barrel DZI Beads 8" string/approx. 14 beads #GCARN10X14DZI ORDER CARNELIAN BEADS |
$21.00 /string |
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10x30mm Carnelian Barrel DZI Beads 16" string/approx. 13 beads #GCARN10X30DZI ORDER CARNELIAN BEADS |
$21.00 /string |
| Please read the story about DZI Beads at the bottom of the page | ||
| CLICK HERE to go to GEMSTONE BEADS Jasper-Lapis Lazuli | ||
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8x12mm Carnelian Barrel DZI Beads 16" string/approx. 35 beads #GCARN8X12DZI ORDER CARNELIAN BEADS |
$9.00 /string |
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14x40mm Black Agate Barrel DZI Beads 8" string/ 5 beads #GAGAT14X40DZI ORDER AGATE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
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8x12mm Black Agate Barrel DZI Beads 8" string/approx. 17 beads #GAGAT8X12DZI ORDER AGATE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
| Please read the story about DZI Beads at the bottom of the page | ||
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6mm Faceted Garnet Rondell Beads 16" string/approx. 86 beads #GGARN6FACROND ORDER GARNET BEADS |
$24.00 /string |
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5x8mm Garnet Barrel Beads 16" string/approx. 45 beads #GGARN5X8BARREL ORDER GARNET BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
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4mm Garnet Round Beads 14" string/approx. 104 beads #GGARN4ROUND ORDER GARNET BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
| CLICK HERE to go to GEMSTONE BEADS Lepidolite-Serpentine | ||
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8mm Jade Round Beads 16" string/approx. 52 beads #GJADE8ROUND ORDER JADE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
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9mm Olivine Jade Pillow Beads 15" string/approx. 42 beads #GOJAD9PILLOW ORDER JADE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
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7x10mm Olivine Jade Drum Beads Speckles 16" string/approx. 40 beads #GOJAD7X10DRUMS ORDER JADE BEADS |
$9.00 /string |
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7x10mm Olivine Jade Drum Beads Clear 16" string/approx. 40 beads #GOJAD7X10DRUMC ORDER JADE BEADS |
$9.00 /string |
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9x13mm Olivine Jade Oval Beads 16" string/approx. 29 beads #GOJAD9X13OVAL ORDER JADE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
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5x11mm Olivine Jade Rice Beads 16" string/approx. 33 beads #GOJAD5X11RICE ORDER JADE BEADS |
$6.75 /string |
| CLICK HERE to go to GEMSTONE BEADS Sodalite-Unakite | ||
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COLORADO LEATHER GOODS 208 South 22nd Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 USA Voice 719-633-8722 Fax 719-633-8919 Email: coloradoleathergoods@att.net ORDERING INFORMATION IS ON THE HOME PAGE! |
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A Dzi bead is a bead of mysterious origin worn as part of a necklace
and sometimes as a bracelet. In several Asian cultures, including
that of Tibet, the bead is considered to provide positive spiritual
benefit. These beads are generally prized as protective amulets. The most highly prized dzi beads are made of natural agate and were apparently manufactured in ancient times by an unknown people. There are also new dzi which gain popularity amongst Tibetans. Dzi beads are made from agate, and may have decorated symbols composed of circles, ovals, square, waves (zig zags), stripes, lines, diamonds, dots, squares, waves, and stripes and various other natural archetypal symbolic patterns. Sometimes the natural patterns (usually "layered" swirls) of the agate can be seen underneath or behind the decorated symbols and designs, and sometimes not. Dzi stones may have made their first appearance between 2000 BC to 1000 BC, in ancient Tibet. Dzi were crafted by an un known people using agate as the base stone and then fabricated with lines and circles using unique ancient methods like darkening with plant sugars and heat as well as bleaching and white line etching with ancient natron while certain parts must have been left out by using either grease, clay, wax or similar - the actual ancient alchemic process can only be assumed. In this way the ancients created the patterns by first bleaching the agate and then darkening the patterns onto the bead raws. Subsequently the lighter pattern would be etched onto the bead. After this the hole would be drilled, which was arduous work with a bow drill during ancient times. Modern bead makers can now manufacture very good agate dzi stone with modern methods such as modern sugars and chemicals but the techniques and methods used by ancient craftsmen still are not completely understood. Since knowledge of the bead is derived from several differing oral traditions, the beads have provoked controversy concerning their source, their method of manufacture and even their precise definition. In Tibetan culture these beads are believed to attract local protectors, dharmapalas or deities or maybe beneficial ghosts, ancestors or even bodhisattvas. Because of this, dzi beads are always treated with respect. Due to the unknown origin of these beads and the high demand for them, there has been reproduction of ancient dzi beads in Asia. China has also produced some good quality new dzi beads over the last three years. The few nice ones are still collectible items much sought after. A nice dzi must be good quality agate, and the cutting, drilling and decorating takes many days. Some of the very well-made new dzi are accepted by Tibetans because it is safe to wear them in public and they look just like ancient dzi. Some claim the new dzi work as well as the old ones. Others claim that the protective energies of ancient dzi can move into a new dzi, if the stone is of the same quality or better and the two beads are kept together or binding rituals are performed. The genuine ancient dzi have become unaffordable to most Tibetans except for those who have owned them for generations. Some of the new dzi have become collectibles themselves, and their price is increasing at a fast rate. It is as true today as it was in ancient days, that only a handful of people know how to manufacture superior beads. Less than a dozen people are manufacturing stunningly beautiful beads; not much is known about who they are, or where their workshops are. Many new beads don't have the mystic aura and waxy appearance of the ancient ones; however, it is said that taking them to be blessed by a Lama, a Guru, taking them to pilgrimages and initiations, to holy places, stupas and shrines and reciting mantras as well as taking religious vows with them will give the new dzi a similar power to the ancient ones; it just takes some more time and effort. On the other had, the new dzi also do not carry any of the absorbed bard karma of the previous owners, which is a good point. To rid the stone of any bad energy (the motivation during creation and sale of the dzi can be bad or even criminal), submerge the dzi in saltwater for some hours and then take some incense and fan it over the dzi. The dzi should be treated with respect from that time on. When one engages in any inpure activity, it should be taken off. Some people include sex as such an activity. Sun baking and herbal smudging is also said to purify the beads. Spirit aroma offering and recitation of Cintamani dharani maybe helpful in charging the bead as well. |
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