Gemstone Spheres

What is a gemstone sphere? A sphere, also known as a ball or a globe, is a 3 dimensional shape of the circle. A Gemstone Sphere is natural gemstone material carved, either by hand or machine, into a sphere or ball shape. Though a sphere is usually perfect-Stone Spheres may not be. The reason for that is the difficulty in cutting or carving certain mineral materials. A gemstone or rock is a conglomeration of minerals. Those minerals may have different hardness, making it difficult to cut and polish a perfect sphere. Some simple materials can be cut into gemstone spheres by machine. A cube of gemstone material is cut and then the corners are cut off. The new shape is put into cups in a sphere making machine and the machine slowing grinds out a sphere shape. It takes extreme talent to cut a gemstone sphere by hand using grinding wheels!

Click here to see the gorgeous gemstone spheres Oakrocks has available!

The word sphere comes form the Greek word "sphaira" which meant globe or ball. The words rock and stone are generally interchangeable. “Gem” and “gemstone” are not scientific terms. They are really trade names referring to especially beautiful stones or minerals, or jewelry or collector grade, or rare materials. Some gemstone spheres may be cut from any type of stone material that is unique and interesting.

Why do we collect gemstone spheres or balls? The sphere is an ancient and universal symbol that represents unity, completeness, and infinity. It symbolizes both the earth and the whole universe. I'm not sure when the first gemstone sphere was carved. Crystal balls were used in the middle ages.

Gemstone spheres are measured by their diameter. The diameter is the imaginery straight line that penetrates from one side of the sphere to the other. Spheres can come in tiny sizes, such as 1/2 inch in diameter marbles, up to very large pieces. Most people collect spheres in the 2 to 3 inch range. But larger spheres, perhaps the 4 to 6 inch range make great decorator pieces for any home or office.