PROVENANCE: from Lynchburg, VA Private collector. Measurements: Length: 5.7 cm, Weight: 148 g Set of Eleven Chinese Qing Dynasty Dzi Beads On Original Fitting Box. The Chinese name of the Dzi beads from Tibetan word can be translated to shine, brightness, or splendor, which can be translated as Heaven’s beads. Dzi beads are made from agate, and may have decorative symbols composed of carnelian transparent, long and short cylindrical body, ovals, circles, squares, waves or zig zags, stripes, lines, diamonds, dots, and various other archetypal and symbolic patterns. The more unusual the decoration is, the more expensive and prized the Dzi Beads will be. Opaque Dzi beads are typically more expensive than translucent ones, and the most expensive Dzi Beads often come in opaque dark brown or opaque black. Dzi beads are commonly classified by the number of eyes they possess, which are the circular patterns that can be found on the Dzi. Some Dzi Beads don’t have any eyes at all, but some have up to 12 and even 21 eyes. This is a highly desirable characteristic among collectors, but relatively rare. Another desirable effect is Dragon skin in which the surface of the bead exhibits tiny circular weathering marks that resemble scales. Dzi beads are simply polished agate, with no other decoration than the natural banding of the stone.