Space - Balls


They sure are pretty -- but what are they?


Little pieces of the cosmos frozen in time!
Not just art -- but real outer space stuff!
These are tiny sky stones... meteorite grainy particles... space dust... encapsulated in molten glass paperweight form, hand-crafted one at a time by our talented artisans.

The deep space materials content is harvested from various laboratories worldwide that need to cut and grind samples from meteorite discoveries.  They have to do it to get samples for the gas mass spectrometer tests and a number of other tests that verify and prove that a meteorite is indeed from space (occasionally Mars too).  Naturally, that means it is certified material and you get a certificate of origin with the usual descriptions, such as type, location and date, that accompany meteorite specimens.

Large

Large specimens range in size around 3.4 inch diameter and a hefty 32 oz.

All sizes in the inventory list below make real cool gift ideas for X-treme geek space nerds as well as collectors, and the rest of us 'normal' people.

All balls have a small flat zone to sit on like any usual paperweight or showpiece display figurine.  Perfect for a display cabinet too.

Since each specimen is unique, a serial number is engraved onto the perimeter of the bottom flat surface.  This makes them not only collectable, but traceable, since we keep records of the data shown in the product gallery lists below (in case you loose your certification card).

Large


As seen in these few example photos, each globe comes out differently at the whim of the artisan.

The silver/grey/dark-matter is the meteoritic material.  The other non-clear material is bits of colored glass in various tints and/or gold tint metal flakes to add a bit more visual excitement for the casual viewer.  Again it's at the whim of the artisan and may be totally clear with no color if that was the mood of the moment.  Select one to your taste in the gallery below.

Good for illumination - the main glass content and the outer layer finish envelope is crystal clear and you can see right through the ball.  The space dust appears to float and swirl within.

Large


Another example of large specimens and the variety of artisan techniques.

This sample has a 3.4" diameter.  Each serial number has a diameter specifically shown in the list below.

Oxygen and other contaminants can not harm or decay the meteoritic material.  It is sealed forever in the solid glass ball.  These will still be around when the pyramids finish crumbling to dust.

Did you know? We engage the artisans...
who also make the glass Easter eggs for The White House!  ... We really think you will be pleased.

Medium

Runs about 2.4" diameters and 11 oz.
Note the helical structure internally visible -- a typical method for hand glass twirling when the ball is still small and molten -- before the outer smooth gloss clear coat is dipped on then hand spun cool enough to hold the smooth spherical shape on its own.

Flats are then cut on the bottom so like any paperweight, the ball will sit still when placed on a surface.

Small


Approximately 1.4 inch diameter and 3 oz.

Cost is low, not so much meteor dust and glass and it cools faster.

These are a fascinating conversation piece as they resemble "The Galaxy" ball on "Orions Belt" in the hit movie Men In Black.

  Product Gallery ~ Currently On Offer...

Ser No.:  014        DELICATE HOLLOW ORNAMENT
Size:  Large (3.3x4.3" oblate, sort of between a pear and an egg shape)
Weight:  4.5 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $69 USD

Notes: FRAGILE, stress-crazed surface facets (as opposed to a smooth face surface this is more like gem facets but is not cut and polished as a gem would be), bronze tint glass, surface-applied meteoric material in broad swaths on sides & rear, oblate shape, white ribbon loop hanger. The bright polar cap on the bottom is not part of the appearance - it is from the bright illumination light comming from below for this photo shot. The white ribbon is placed in a bent-glass hoop at the top and this ribbon is draped to the left - it would normally be vertical when hanging this ornament. Very beautiful, and very unique.

Ser No.:  013
Size:  Large (3.2")
Weight:  24 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $52 USD

Notes:  Inclusion bubbles added for effect, none break outer surface (no pock-craters).

Ser No.:  012
Size:  Large (3.2")
Weight:  26 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $52 USD

Notes:  Inclusion bubbles added for effect, none break outer surface (no pock-craters).

Ser No.:  011
Size:  Large (3.2")
Weight:  26 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $52 USD

Notes:  Inclusion bubbles added for effect, none break outer surface (no pock-craters).

Ser No.:  010
Size:  Large (3.2")
Weight:  24 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $52 USD

Notes:  Inclusion bubbles added for effect, none break outer surface (no pock-craters).

Ser No.:  009
Size:  Large (3.1")
Weight:  22 oz
Found:  Campo del Cielo Argentian 1576
Type:  Coarse Octahedrite
Content:  92% iron 7% nickel
Cert's:  IMCA 9283
Manufactured:  12/2011 USA

Price:  $51 USD

Notes:  Inclusion bubbles added for effect, none break outer surface (no pock-craters).

Ser No.:  006
Size:  Sm (1.4")
Weight:  3 oz
Manufactured:  11/2010 USA
Found:  Algeria 2004
Material:  Mesoiderite
Cert's:  IMCA 9283

Price:  $19 USD

Ser No.:  005
Size:  Sm (1.4")
Weight:  3 oz
Manufactured:  11/2010 USA
Found:  Algeria 2004
Material:  Mesoiderite
Cert's:  IMCA 9283

Price:  $19 USD

Ser No.:  004
Size:  Sm (1.5")
Weight:  3 oz
Manufactured:  11/2010 USA
Found:  Algeria 2004
Material:  Mesoiderite
Cert's:  IMCA 9283

Price:  $20 USD