It is worth remembering that the traditional view of zi beads, among Tibetans, has been that a broken bead is virtually worthless, and should be discarded. It's "mana"—to use a foreign word—is negated by the action of its having broken. Tibetans believe (or used to believe) that when a zi bead breaks it is because the bead has just protected the wearer from some catastrophe. Like, it sacrificed its own existence for the owner. And then it becomes worthless.

Of course, in today's world this belief will be supressed—and broken beads will be repaired and said to be "as good as new," for the sake of a profit. But that's not the original attitude about zi beads. It may be that someone will come along and claim the same thing as for repaired amber beads. 'It meant so much to its owner that it was repaired and cherished." And the new owner will pay a lot for what the previous owners considered to have no value.

It's just a broken bead.

Jamey