This bead is adorned with the Heaven Gate & Earth Gate Motif. The Heaven Gate & Earth Gate Motif is believed to bestow its wearer the ability to attain success by having clearer thinking and greater wisdom from guidance of the Heavens.
This bead measures 38.8 mm x 11.0 mm. It is an old bead, estimated to be between 200 to 300 years old.
The bead material is high quality natural agate. There are natural cinnabar inclusions in the agate.
Bloodspot (Cinnabar Dot) info:
Cinnabar dots are also known as "bloodspots" or "硃砂" in Chinese. They occur when mercury and sulfur are present when the agate was formed. Mercuric sulfide (or cinnabar) is obtained when mercury reacts with sulfur. In its purest form, the color is a deep red. In fact, it is how vermilion pigment is made. However, it is difficult and rare to find it in its purest form in agate. The purest form, used to make vermillion, is usually obtained in labs where conditions can be controlled. In nature, there is usually other material present thus giving it slight variations in its redness.