As personal ornaments Dzi beads are becoming increasingly popular in Chinese and Southeast Asian cities, particularly among young white collar workers, even though they are as expensive as jadeite and agate. And no wonder. Dzi beads are attributed to “Heaven,” to the universe far beyond the Earth by their devoted fans.  Some even  claim that a Dzi bead contains 14 “Martian elements” in it and constitutes a “cosmic magnetic field” in itself.

The fact is, however, we know little about these patterned beads, uncertain even as to whether they are natural or man-made. The word “Dzi” in Tibetan language means “beauty,” “virtue,” and “wealth.” The only thing we are sure of is that Dzi beads are a part of the ethnic Tibetan culture.