As ornaments with profound cultural significance and historical value, Tibetan Dzi Beads are mostly made of natural minerals such as agate and chalcedony. Their surfaces may have tiny pores or signs of aging. Daily maintenance needs to balance “material protection” and “spiritual nourishment” (a cultural perspective), with the core principles of avoiding damage, maintaining a warm luster, and minimizing external erosion. The following details cover four key aspects: cleaning, storage, wearing taboos, and special care.

I. Daily Cleaning: Gently Remove Dust, Avoid Chemical Exposure

Dust, sweat, and oil easily accumulate on the surface of Dzi Beads. Long-term buildup can clog pores and dull the luster. Cleaning must follow the principle of “gentleness and no irritation”:

  1. Basic Cleaning (1-2 times a week) :
    • Prepare room-temperature purified water or boiled and cooled water (to avoid residual chlorine and minerals in tap water). Dip a soft cotton cloth (such as suede cloth or eyeglass cloth) in water and gently wipe the surface to remove loose dust and light oil stains.
    • For obvious sweat or oil deposits, add a tiny amount of neutral soap (e.g., baby-specific soap) to the water. Stir until lather forms, then use the cotton cloth to dip into the diluted solution, gently wipe the beads, rinse with clean water, and finally pat dry with a dry cotton cloth.
  2. Taboo Cleaning Methods :
    • Never use chemical agents such as alcohol, detergent, body wash, perfume, or skincare products. These substances can corrode the surface of Dzi Beads, damage their natural luster, and even seep inside to cause discoloration.
    • Avoid scrubbing with rough tools like hard-bristle brushes or steel wool, as they may scratch the fine patterns on the agate/chalcedony surface.
    • Do not soak the beads in water (especially hot water) for a long time. Natural minerals may expand when exposed to heat, and existing cracks in old beads could worsen.

II. Storage Management: Prevent Moisture & Pressure, Isolate Hard Objects

The storage environment when not wearing Dzi Beads directly affects their preservation. Focus on avoiding three major risks: moisture, extrusion, and friction :

  1. Choosing Storage Containers :
    • Prioritize using a jewelry box with a soft velvet lining (e.g., a wooden jewelry box with velvet compartments). Alternatively, wrap the beads individually in a soft cotton cloth and place them in a sealed bag (leave a small gap for ventilation to prevent moisture buildup inside).
    • If the Dzi Bead is paired with a knot (e.g., Vajra knot, flat knot), check the knot’s condition during storage to avoid loosening or the bead slipping due to pulling.
  2. Storage Environment Requirements :
    • Keep the beads away from damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Avoid placing them near heating vents, air conditioner outlets, or windows with direct sunlight (high temperatures can cause moisture loss in the beads, leading to surface cracking and dullness).
    • Do not store Dzi Beads with other hard objects (e.g., metal jewelry, jade ornaments, keys). This prevents scratches or collisions when the items shift, especially as the “weathering lines” on old beads are more fragile and require extra protection.

III. Wearing Taboos: Minimize Damage, Avoid “Contamination”

Dzi Beads are often worn close to the body, so improper behavior during daily activities should be avoided to prevent damage or material changes:

  1. Avoid Contact with Corrosive Substances :
    • Do not use perfume, hairspray, or skincare products while wearing the beads. Wait until the products are completely dry before putting on the Dzi Bead. Always remove the bead before doing housework, washing dishes, or taking a bath to prevent damage from detergents and hot water.
    • It is recommended to take off the bead during exercise (e.g., running, working out). Large amounts of sweat contain salt and oil that can adhere to the bead’s surface long-term. Without timely cleaning, this may dull the luster and even seep inside to alter the color.
  2. Prevent Physical Damage :
    • Avoid severe impacts on the bead while wearing it (e.g., knocking against tabletops or crushing it when falling). Although agate/chalcedony has high hardness (Mohs hardness 6.5-7), it is brittle. Severe impacts may cause internal cracks (invisible to the naked eye) that affect stability over time.
    • Do not casually lend the Dzi Bead to others (culturally, Dzi Beads are believed to have “exclusive spirituality”; from a maintenance perspective, other people’s sweat and oil have different compositions, which may accelerate surface oxidation).

IV. Special Care: For Old Beads & Special-Material Beads

For older Dzi Beads (e.g., millennium-old beads, Ming-Qing Dynasty beads) or those made with special craftsmanship, additional attention is required:

  1. “Warm Nourishment” for Old Beads :
    • The surface of old Dzi Beads often has naturally formed “weathering lines” (also called “fish-scale lines”) with more visible pores. Clean them more gently—use a soft brush dipped in purified water to lightly sweep over the lines, avoiding hard wiping that may wear down the patterns.
    • Long-term wear of old beads allows natural nourishment from human oil, enhancing their warm luster. However, regularly clean surface oil deposits to prevent “grease dirt” (a mixture of oil and dust) from clogging the pores of the weathering lines (which would hinder their “breathing”).
  2. Care for Special-Craftsmanship Beads :
    • If the Dzi Bead has inlays (e.g., gold, silver), check the firmness of the inlaid parts to prevent the inlays from falling off due to pulling. When cleaning, use a cotton swab dipped in purified water to wipe the gaps between inlays and prevent dust buildup.
    • Some Dzi Beads may undergo “dyeing” or “enhancement treatments” (non-natural colors). Strictly avoid exposing them to high temperatures and chemicals, as this may cause color fading or discoloration (consult a professional to develop a maintenance plan for such beads).

Summary

The core of daily Dzi Bead maintenance is “careful handling and moderate nourishment”—there is no need for over-coddling (e.g., frequent wiping with oil to “nourish the bead,” which may instead cause dirt buildup) nor neglect (ignoring cleaning and protection). Persisting in proper maintenance over the long term not only preserves the bead’s natural luster and integrity but also sustains its cultural and historical value.