crystal ball question

Hello, I see you have discussed crystal balls before, but i am still stumped as to what i have. I bought a sphere about 10 years ago at a resale shop. The diameter is approx. 18". It is very pretty and fairly heavy. I do not think it's quartz because of some tiny pin point sized bubbles inside. The bubbles are not concentrated in one area, rather they are spread around inside. From a few feet back you barely notice the imperfections but they are there. This is certainly not crystal clear glass, but it is still very pretty.

Can anybody help advise me as to what they think I might have? I can't seem to find balls quite this large online, and I'm not really sure how to research this. I was considering selling it, but i'd like to know what I'm selling first. Thanks so much. Socal

Reply to
socal
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Well, if it is 18" in diameter and solid and either glass or rock crystal, it would weigh about 283 pounds.

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which is well beyond "fairly heavy". Therefore it is hollow glass or plastic, hollow rock crystal not being possible without a hole. Weigh it and divide by the volume to get the overall density. And/or try floating it in a bathtub. If it is hollow, it should float. In fact, it is most likely a glass fishing net float from Japan. If it is glass and is 18" in diameter and the glass is 1/4 inch thick, (est.vol. 254.5 cu.in. x 0.087 #/cu.in ) weighs about 22 pounds or if 3/8" thick about 33 pounds. Check your measurements.

Reply to
Mike Firth

agree with Mike.....

here on the beach in OREGON, (however rare now) all manner of floats used to wash in. there are "new" ones being made for the "tourist trade". usually old ones are sandblasted a little and you may even find the blowers mark on an old one.

26 years and have not stumbled over a glass one....... neighbors have many and I "believe" that there is some affinity involved.....perhaps the floats" know" that I break glass and stay away from me. I have drilled 1/8NPT holes in about 10 of them over the years to adapt for a lamp base.so far ONLY A HISS WHEN THE AIR ENTERS THEM.

HNY..............

Reply to
howard

Hello, Thank you for your replies. I am sure this thing isn't hollow. wouldn't it be obvious. It is solid and round. It looks just like the crystal quartz balls I see advertised online execept for the tiny little bubbles inside. Now- for the measurement-- II took a tape measure and measured all the way around (as if I was measuring my bicept) and it was 18 inches around. Am I measuring it wrong? As for weight, I put it on the bathroom scale and I know that's really not the right type of scale, but it weighs about 7 pounds. Ok, what am I doing wrong ;-) Thanks!! Socal (is there a way to post a photo on this board?)

Reply to
socal

PS. I majored in journamlism. I just checked your weblink with all those numbers and my head almost exploded. Numbers are not my specialty. Socal

Reply to
socal

Ok, I just had my genius husband measure the ball. He says it's 6" in diameter. The bathroom scale may not be registering the weight properly but I don't think it's more than 10 lbs max. I don't have a postage scale at home Anyway, I was confusing diameter and circumference :-( Sorry about that.

So back to my original question-- do you think it could be glass or lead crystal. If it were quartz would I still be seeing the tiny air bubbles? I'm just curious as to what it is. When I bought it i just thought it was pretty, but I'd like to know what I bought!! Thanks so much. Socal.

Reply to
socal

See, you answered your own question. If you had said circumference in the first place, we would have divided by PI (3.1416....) to get a bit under 6" for 18" circum. I have not seen enough quartz/rock crystal to know if it has bubbles as defects, but it makes it far more likely that it is glass. I have one about half that size with well organized bubbles in it that my sister sent me. Made in China. Besides the decorative bubbles, also has small seed bubbles. One web site has Chinese 6" clear crystal for $400. That is the competition. If you look at this page

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you will see what rock crystal costs and what the flaws are (and what they offer to counter the reconstituted Chinese quartz)

Reply to
Mike Firth

Thanks!! I hate math :-(

Reply to
socal

Practice makes for friendlier relationships.

Reply to
Mike Firth

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