Spheres
First a nice rough specimen is selected
The piece is cut into a cube
Corners are cut to pre-shape
Loaded in the machine to rough shape
after 4 day
after 2 days
after 3 days
after undisclosed timeframe of polishing, the final product is done
after undisclosed timeframe of polishing, the final product is done
after undisclosed timeframe of polishing, the final product is done
Spheres are basically divided into 2 groups. The first group of spheres are mass produced, mostly in foreign countries. The second and most desirable group of spheres, also the most expensive group, are hand made spheres. Making one of these spheres is a labor of love and takes many, many hours of work to produce a finished product sphere. Typically 40 to 50 hours of work to make a single sphere is not uncommon.
We will show the process of hand making a sphere with a sphere machine. Spheres from select areas of the world are made entirely by hand without using a machine to shape the sphere, these are extremely valuable. So if you see 2 spheres that may look similar and one has a low price and one has a high price, the low price is production made and the higher priced one is hand made. (We will be using photos from Guy Adams in McKinleyville, CA who made this Kambaba Jasper sphere for us for our personal collection)
after undisclosed timeframe of polishing, the final product is done
Guy Adams produces some of the finest quality spheres we have ever seen!
We sell both hand made and production made spheres. Some of the prices are low to reduce inventory or reflect lower prices that we paid many years ago.
Opalite Spheres
Opalite is also known as Moonstone Quartz, Sea Opal, Slocum Stone, Opal Essence
These shimmery, ghostly spheres project a blue sheen when placed against most colors, but take on a yellowish tinge when against white. This man made gemstone has a cloudy center and few visible inclusions. It is made of opalized glass resin that is fused with metal to create an opalescent effect. Imitation Opal is difficult to distinguish from precious opal with the naked eye. One of the very special qualities of these Opalite spheres is that when around any light source, these spheres will produce a glowing light of their own as visible in the photos. The glow shown in the clear base is coming from the sphere. Children love this and say "it's like holding the moon in your hand". Opalite is widely accepted as a gemstone though it is man made. Makes a great conversation piece or "show and tell" item!
Item # SLSB11166795
74mm Sodalite Sphere from Brazil
The deep shades of blue are beautiful and the patterns in the sphere accent the visual display. This is a very nice collectors sphere that has been in our collection for several years. It has natural fractures typical of this material.
This sphere weighs 18.2 oz or 1.14 lb (516g) and measures 2.92" (74.3mm) in diameter
Item # OF75S111600964
Rare 73.5mm Brecciated Tiffany Stone Polished Sphere
$1,395.00
Exceptional top grade Brecciated Tiffany Stone polished Sphere with a beautiful color mix of purple opalized fluorite with chalcedony and bertrandite. Beautiful specimen from 2005 purchase which has been in our private collection for the last 11 years. Has natural vugs and fractures normally found in Tiffany Stone/Opalized Fluorite. An EXTREMELY RARE specimen!
Display weighs 18.9 oz or 1.18 lbs (537g) and measures 2.89 inches (73.5mm) in diameter
Item #FLOSPH11160003
61mm Green Fluorite Sphere
Green Fluorite Sphere from China. It has natural fractures and faults typical for fluorite. Fluoresces purple/blue in glassy areas
This sphere weighs 13.1 oz or 0.82 lb (373g) and has a diameter of 2.4" (61mm)
Item #3OJSPH11168894
60mm AA Grade Ocean Jasper Sphere
2.35" Diameter Ocean Jasper Sphere with Orbicular Patterns and beautiful crystalline formations. The green accent patterns enhance the orbicular formations in this Green, Clear, Grey, Tan and White sphere. There are several awesome vugs lined with crystalline drusy. A special collector sphere from our personal collection
This specimen weighs 9 oz or 0.56 lb (256g) and has a diameter of 2.35" (60mm)