{"product_id":"antique-nine-stripe-chung-dzi-bloodspots-at-110223-9sbs","title":"Antique Nine Stripe Chung Dzi with Bloodspots, 44.7×11.6mm, pitch-black ground (At-110223-9SBS)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe never retouch our photos.\u003c\/strong\u003e What you see is exactly what you will receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bloodspots on this bead appear in two different places, and they look quite different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook at the macro photographs, Images 7 and 8, and you will see fine dark micro-dots scattered across the pale stripe surfaces. They are not dust or surface debris. They are natural cinnabar inclusions (硃砂, zhūshā) held inside the pale agate of the stripe bands, visible because the agate in those zones is translucent enough to show what lies beneath. Then look at Image 6: the left end cap reads as a warm reddish-brown, where a concentration of cinnabar within the agate colours the tip from within. Two presentations, two locations, one bead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ground of this bead is pitch-black across all four faces in the white-background photographs. Nine bright white to very pale blue-grey stripe bands run across this black field, evenly spaced from tip to tip, with the central stripes marginally wider than those approaching the ends. The contrast between the pitch-black zones and the pale stripe bands is as strong as this motif can produce. In strong light, the stripe surfaces catch a subtle blue-grey cast, the agate's own translucency reading through the white etched surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body is an elongated fusiform, tapering acutely at both ends to small rounded tips. At 44.7mm it is one of the longer pitch-black Chung dzi in the collection. Both drill holes are small and centrally placed, consistent with antique hand-drilling. The right drill hole (Image 5) appears slightly tighter; the left (Image 6) slightly more worn and open, a difference consistent with centuries of stringing and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface carries a high-gloss polish across both dark and light bands. At the mid-body ridge (Images 2 and 3) there is fine surface micro-abrasion, lines along the upper curve consistent with long-term contact wear, not damage. A fine vertical surface score line is also visible across two dark bands in Image 8 and is disclosed here. No chips at either tip. No medicine digs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with the seven stripe Chung dzi in the collection, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-seven-stripe-chung-dzi-agate-near-pitch-black-ac-081020-7schung\"\u003enear pitch-black\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-seven-stripe-chung-dzi-warm-honey-brown-agate-ac-041320-7schung\"\u003ewarm honey-brown\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-seven-stripe-chung-dzi-dark-brown-agate-scratches-ac-080620-7schung\"\u003edark brown\u003c\/a\u003e ancient pieces and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-seven-stripe-chung-dzi-honey-brown-agate-at-061920-7schung\"\u003eantique honey-brown seven stripe\u003c\/a\u003e, this bead offers a different look: nine stripes, a pitch-black ground, and cinnabar in two distinct forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Nine Stripe Chung Dzi (瓊珠九線紋)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNine is among the most auspicious numbers in Tibetan and Chinese tradition: the highest single digit, associated with completion, longevity, and the fullness of heaven. The stripe of a Chung dzi is the continuous line that does not end, associated with protection and steady, uninterrupted success. In the Chung tradition a higher stripe count does not make a bead more potent; what matters most is that the bead looks pleasing to the one who wears it. Read more in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/chung-dzi-meaning-striped-dzi-guide\"\u003eChung Dzi: The Complete Guide to Striped Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cinnabar bloodspots in this bead, ranging in colour from vermilion to rust-orange to deep reddish-brown, are natural mineral inclusions in the stone, prized in Tibetan and Himalayan tradition for their auspicious and protective associations. Bloodspots cannot be added to a bead, but they occur in new beads as well as old ones, so they are a feature rather than a proof of age. Learn more in our guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/bloodspots\"\u003ebloodspots in dzi beads\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nine stripe Chung (九線紋); nine etched bands, bright white to very pale blue-grey on a pitch-black ground; central stripes marginally wider than tip stripes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 44.7mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.6mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elongated fusiform; acute taper to both tips; high-gloss surface\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural agate; pitch-black ground; bright white to pale blue-grey etched stripes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge estimate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique, 300–500 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Surface micro-abrasion on the mid-body ridge (age-consistent wear); fine vertical surface score line across two dark bands (Image 8, disclosed); no chips; no medicine digs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloodspots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, in two forms: warm reddish-brown cinnabar colouring the left end cap (Image 6), and fine cinnabar micro-dots within the pale stripe bands (Images 7 and 8)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e At-110223-9SBS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollections:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/chung-dzi\"\u003eChung Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/authentic-antique-dzi\"\u003eAntique Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/collections\/bloodspot-dzi\"\u003eBloodspot Dzi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYou may also like\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-single-stripe-chung-dzi-bloodspots-pitch-black-white-ac-061426-1schungbs\"\u003eAncient Single Stripe Chung Dzi with Bloodspots, pitch-black and white\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/antique-nine-stripe-chung-dzi-bead-pair-at-062626-9schung\"\u003ePair of Antique Nine Stripe Chung Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-seven-stripe-chung-dzi-agate-near-pitch-black-ac-081020-7schung\"\u003eAncient Seven Stripe Chung Dzi, near pitch-black ground\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/products\/ancient-five-stripe-cho-dzi-cuosi-tianzu-pale-cream-ac-061426-5schung\"\u003eAncient Five Stripe Cho Dzi 措思天珠\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom the blog\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/chung-dzi-meaning-striped-dzi-guide\"\u003eChung Dzi: The Complete Guide to Striped Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/blogs\/news\/bloodspots\"\u003eBloodspots in Dzi Beads\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNine stripes, two kinds of bloodspot, one pitch-black stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe never retouch our photos.\u003c\/strong\u003e Every bead is photographed exactly as it is. What you see is what you receive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Dzi Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44527777218726,"sku":null,"price":1700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/7198\/files\/Antique_Nine_Stripe_Chung_Dzi_with_Bloodspots_1.jpg?v=1788940807","url":"https:\/\/www.ancientdzishop.com\/en-tw\/products\/antique-nine-stripe-chung-dzi-bloodspots-at-110223-9sbs","provider":"Ancient Dzi Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}