Rare Ancient Heaven & Earth Motif Dzi Bead with Bloodspots - Extremely Old

Rare Ancient Heaven & Earth Motif Dzi Bead with Bloodspots - Extremely Old 

This bead is adorned with the Heaven & Earth Motif.  The Heaven & Earth Motif is believed to bring the balance of Ying and Yang.  It helps to gain fortune and eliminating obstacles.  Businessmen are particularly fond of this motif because it brings prosperity and wealth.  The Bloodspots on this bead are perfectly formed tiny dots.

This bead measures 37.5 mm x 11.7 mm.  This piece is an old bead, estimated to be between 800 to 1000 years old.  This bead is considered to be Pure Dzi or 至純天珠.

The bead material is high quality natural agate.  

This piece is in excellent condition.  There are no cracks on this bead.  As with all antique dzi beads, weathering marks and minor digs are all part of the beauty.

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.