Gemstone Globes – What to Look for

Unlike maps, globes actually follow the earth’s spherical shape, making them more accurate when it comes to depicting landmasses, seas and oceans, valleys and mountains and political boundaries. The common tabletop or standing globe that we see at school or at the study has become a vital learning tool for centuries. Typically, a globe comes with a meridian or an attachment that suspends it so you can spin it around in place. Creating a globe takes a lot of time and a strict process to assure everything is correctly aligned. Usually, it’s a piece of paper strategically cut to fit the sphere base without crease or folds.

Crystal Globes

Although globes have always been used to teach us about the different land and water masses on earth, some manufacturers are turning them into an interior decorative piece. They have made an elegant alternative and crated beautiful, one of a kind globes with gemstones, crystals and precious stones. To create these crystal studded spheres, precision cut natural gemstones are shaped to represent the different land and water masses. They are then assembled carefully, like a puzzle, on the sphere base. Bronze, brass, silver and gold and then used to make the globe’s line or latitude and longitude marks. The finished product is then polished to perfection, the natural materials give out a sheen that emphasizes their beauty.

Kinds of Crystal Globes

When looking for a gem-studded world globes, you’ll be surprised of the wide variety to choose from. Usually, the type of globe gets identified by its gemstone or the color of the gemstone used as water on its sphere. While most gemstone globes use a rich blue lapis, some manufacturers and designers pick different gems to make it unique, ranging from amethyst, turquoise, tiger's eye,quartz and even natural pearls. The more uncommon the color of the stone, the more unique the globe looks. Keep in mind that price will vary depending on what gem is used on the globe, the more precious, the more expensive.

Real or Fake?

Investing in a gemstone globe is a big deal. These items do have a steep high price tag, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the real thing. There are man-made gems available in the market that look exactly like the real thing, but they shouldn’t cost as much. You should know what to look for to identify natural gems and man-made gems. Real gems, because they’re natural, have little irregularities and textures on their surface. These little patterns and inclusions provide character to the sphere and shows that the globe uses natural stones. There should also be a small seam between each piece of gem which represents the countries. Authentic gemstone globes are made by hand since machines can’t really handle the precious stones as carefully.

Whether you’re planning to give someone a gemstone globe as a gift or use it to decorate a room, be careful and keep in mind the little details before you buy it.