In the northern Indian Hill station of Mussoorie we were buying some interesting hot strip chevrons with big air gaps as a good illustration of how the Indian chevrons were made. They were perhaps seconds. They were much worse than any of the Indian glass bead vendors offer us.

In any event, the shop keeper showed me a 3 eye bead and asked if I thought it was old. I asked if I could take some pictures to show to friends.

It's obviously worn. The end view shows cord wear. I told him I thought it a recent copy bead from China but one that had been well worn for a few years. He was asking 1000 Rupees for it - about USD 22. I suggested it was more likely worth 100 or 200 Rupees but that some one might be willing to pay his asking price because it was worn.

We bought the rough made chevrons and passed on the copy dZi.

--Russ (Finally back in the US after 10 weeks in Asia looking for beads.)