Ancient Seven Stripe Chung Dzi, 39.3×13.9mm, cool grey-black ground, silvery grey-white stripes (Ac-101922-7SChung)

We never retouch our photos. What you see is exactly what you will receive.

This bead works in three tones only — grey, black and white — and the way they are balanced is what sets it apart.

The ground is a deep, cool grey-black, close to pitch-black in the centre and along the upper ridge, softening to a translucent cool grey toward the ends where the underlying agate shows through. Across it run seven narrow, silvery grey-white stripes. They are not bright white but a cooler, muted tone, with rough, granular edges from long weathering. Cool dark field, narrow silvery lines, textured edges: an austere, precise palette with no warm tones at all.

The form matches that character. At 39.3mm × 13.9mm this is one of the shortest, widest fusiform Chung dzi in the collection, and the seven stripes read as compact and dense on its short body.

The dark ground carries natural pale spotting — small light mineral inclusions within the agate, visible throughout the side photographs. They are not bloodspots (there is none of cinnabar's reddish colour) and not damage, simply the stone's own internal variation.

Both ends show translucent cool grey agate, lighter than the darkened body. The drill holes are small and centred. A small ink marking from a previous seller is visible near the right end in Image 5.

Our other seven stripe Chung dzi are longer and warmer: the ancient Ac-081020-7SChung, Ac-041320-7SChung and Ac-080620-7SChung carry sandy-tan to sandy-grey stripes; the antique At-061920-7SChung has a honey-brown ground; and the vintage V-052222-7SChung has cream stripes on chocolate-brown. This one alone combines a strict grey-black-white palette, a short, wide body and natural pale spotting.

The Seven Stripe Chung Dzi

Seven is a meaningful number in Tibetan Buddhism — the seven offering bowls on the altar, the seven steps of the newborn Buddha, the seven-branch prayer. A seven stripe Chung dzi (七線天珠) carries seven unbroken circuits around its body, a symbol of continuity and protection. With Chung dzi, more stripes do not mean a more powerful bead; the best choice is simply the one whose look speaks to you. Learn more in our Chung dzi guide.

Specifications

• Motif: Seven stripe Chung (七線); seven narrow silvery grey-white bands with rough, textured edges
• Length: 39.3mm
• Diameter: 13.9mm
• Form: Short, wide fusiform with small centred drill holes
• Material: Natural agate, cool grey-black to near-black, translucent grey at the ends; natural pale mineral spotting; glossy
• Age: Ancient, estimated 500–700 years
• Condition: Natural pale mineral spotting across the dark ground; small ink marking near one end (Image 5); no chips, cracks or medicine digs
• Bloodspots: None (the pale spots are natural mineral inclusions, not cinnabar)
• Product ID: Ac-101922-7SChung
• Collection: Chung Dzi | Ancient Dzi Beads

You May Also Like

• Ancient Seven Stripe Chung Dzi, Near-Black (Ac-081020-7SChung)
• Ancient Five Stripe Cho Dzi (Ac-061426-5SChung)
• Ancient Single Stripe Chung Dzi, Belly Form (Ac-061526-1SBW)
• Pair of Ancient Nineteen Stripe Chung Dzi (Ac-080420-19SChung)
• Antique Five Stripe Chung Dzi, Terracotta (At-070622-5SChung)
• Antique Nine Stripe Chung Dzi with Bloodspots (At-110223-9SBS)
• Antique Single Stripe Bow-Shaped Chung Dzi (At-061526-1SBow)

Further Reading

• Chung Dzi Meaning: The Striped Dzi Guide
• Where Do Dzi Beads Come From?

Grey, black and white. Five centuries. Nothing else.