Ming & Qing Dynasty Old Nanhong Agate - 7.52 grams

These ancient beads are priced by weight internationally. Dealers say that those in good condition start at NT$800 per gram. Twenty to thirty years ago in Taiwan, we often found old Nanhong agate as spacer beads on Tibetan Buddhist malas. Later, after mainland Chinese collectors enthusiastically bought them up, driving prices sky-high, it became difficult to find them on malas as decorative spacers. Often, they would be dismantled and sold individually. The "old high white" (which refers to old ivory) three-hole beads, commonly seen at the start of a mala, were frequently removed from the entire strand and sold separately. This Ming and Qing Dynasty old Nanhong agate bead weighs 7.52 grams. 2300-115.05.01