Antique Longevity Motif Dzi Bead With Bloodspot

Antique Longevity Motif Dzi Bead With Bloodspot

This bead is adorned with the Longevity Motif.  The Longevity Motif is believed to bless its wearer with good health and longevity.  The Longevity Motif is also known as the Tortoise Shell Motif Dzi.

This bead measures 25.0 mm x 12.7 mm. It is an old bead, estimated to be about 300 years old.

The bead material is high quality natural 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.