Although they are all dzi beads, their composition and production technology are quite different. Tianzhu in Liaoning is generally made of natural agate, and its color can be changed by physical and chemical methods. This kind of dzi beads has a large output, does not pursue complexity in workmanship, and generally has a low ex-factory price. It has become the mainstream commodity in related markets in Tibet, Qinghai and Sichuan. Due to different colors, the price ranges from ten yuan to several hundred yuan.
Tianzhu made in the southeast coast (and some Taiwan-funded factories) generally adopts high-tech synthetic materials in pursuit of grade. The beautiful dzi beads are made through complicated processes. Some demanding dzi beads have to be treated in a "melting pot" with specific temperature and humidity for several months or even a year, which has achieved the imitation effect that nature can only achieve for a long time.
Peripating: playing and wearing all the year round is an oily oxide layer formed on the surface, commonly known as patina and leather shell;
Weathering: crescent-shaped and horseshoe-shaped weathering lines produced by collision between beads during use;
Cinnabar: red spots caused by long-term wear and mineral changes, commonly known as cinnabar;
Although the dzi beads have been worn for generations, it is inevitable that they will be damaged, but they should not be seriously damaged, broken or reprocessed (Tibetans believe that the damage of the dzi beads is a disaster prevention and has lost its protective effect).
The more eye beads, the rarer the strange eyes, and the higher the price. The closer you get to nine eyes, the better. If there are too many eyes on a dzi bead, that is, thousands of dzi beads, the price will be greatly reduced. Preferably, each eye is about the same size. If they are different in size, they are not good dzi beads.
At present, the imitation technology of Xintianzhu is mature. If necessary, the natural lines on its surface can be observed under clear water or light to distinguish authenticity.
Some dzi beads have cinnabar on their surfaces (but not without cinnabar, they are not dzi beads). However, at present, Japanese lasers can imitate this feature, and the judgment principle is that the depth of cinnabar on the surface is "abnormal distribution". (Some cinnabar is vividly portrayed, and some are already on the surface.
Because of its age, the old Tianzhu has a certain degree of weathering lines (also known as "fish scale lines") on its surface after being worn by generations, and the distribution of this weathering line is also abnormal. Now the imitation dzi beads can also be fired at high temperature to produce realistic weathering patterns (the texture is relatively dry and hard). In addition to the weather patterns that are mostly "moon-shaped", the identification method is to look at the surface with a magnifying glass with high magnification (100 times or more), and the genuine product will present a galaxy pattern similar to a cosmic celestial body.
The perforation of dzi beads must be consistent with the color and smoothness of the surface (jade texture); Ivory or light yellow is the best, followed by black and brown.
The surface of dzi beads should naturally have a shiny and waxy feeling. But don't belittle the value of dzi beads because they are hazy. Some dzi beads will be cleaned by the seller in advance, so it is not easy to show their original luster. (This situation should gradually improve after wearing for a period of time.
Don't have leap-forward cracks in the eyes, or their value will be damaged.
According to the traditional records of Tibetan medicine, genuine pure Tianzhu can not only enhance human immunity, but also prevent stroke. However, because the number of real "pure dzi beads" is fixed and extremely rare, unlike diamonds and precious stones which can be obtained through mining, a large number of imitation dzi beads have appeared in the market due to the serious imbalance between supply and demand and insufficient information (in Taiwan Province Province, many players who collect dzi beads are often "closed to the outside world"). These imitation dzi beads are called "new dzi beads" by people in Taiwan Province province. They can be made of cheap resin, serpentine, glass or slightly expensive agate. Most of the new dzi beads are eroded by chemicals, and some prices are less than a quarter of the selling price. At the moment when the situation of confusing fish with pearls is very serious, we need a real "pure pearl", which is blessed and predestined.