ÿþ<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 97"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Mozilla/4.7 [en] (WinNT; I) [Netscape]"> <title>THE SPHERICAL WORLD</title> </head> <body text="#FFFF00" link="#000FFF" vlink="#FF0000" background="blckmrbl.jpg" <B> <center><font color="#FFFF00"><font size=+4>THE SPHERICAL WORLD</font></font> <br><font color="#FFFF00">A Publication of ATMOSPHERE</font> <br><font color="#FFFF00">THE SOCIETY FOR THE APPRECIATION OF MINERAL SPHERES</font> <br><font color="#FFFF00">Volume 16</font> <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <p><font size=+3>WONDERS OF THE WEST</font></center> <p><br> <p>Those of us who live in the western United States live within a motherload of glorious sphere materials specifically agates, jaspers and native opals. <p>Known for many classic localities, the Western states have produced gorgeous cutting stone in a complete rainbow of colors, patterns and unique characteristics. In this Spherical World, we will give you a brief survey! <p><u><font face="Arial Black"><font size=+1>Jaspers</font></font></u> <p>Bruneau Jasper/Oregon <br>This elegant stone was found in the 1920s by a rockhounding couple named Kirby, who went on to become known for their large collection of handmade spheres. It is a glassy reddish golden brown material with beige segments often outlined with circular patterns. <p>Willow Creek Jasper/ Oregon <br>A similar look with&nbsp; peachier coloring, Willow Creek is more prevalent today than Bruneau which is seldom found in anything larger than 1.5 inches. <p>Stone Canyon/San Miguel, CA <br>The predominant color in Stone Canyon is a golden yellow, but it can be found in combination with green, with blue, or with reds. This lovely stone looks breciated, but combines color in a fascinating way almost as if it was a puzzle. <p>Morrisonite/Oregon &amp; Idaho <br>Morrisonite is a stone that s mined out, but pieces of it occasionally crop up on the market. The dominant color is a rich olive green, with gold or brownish offset and unusual patterning, seldom the same from piece to piece <p>Succor Creek/Oregon <br>Blue/green matrix contrasts with a yellow/gold pattern, mostly circular. These pieces often look like a bird s eye view of the earth. We think Succor Creek is often overlooked. <p>Bigg s Jasper/Oregon <br>This brown pattern jasper is a long time favorite, but is also pretty much played out. Every piece is unique. We have managed to horde a few good pieces, however. <p>Rocky Butte/Oregon <br>The dominant colors here are in the red/pink/ burgundy range. <br>This can take a nice polish and be very striking. <br>. <br>SpiderWeb Jasper/Idaho <br>Small veining on greenish/ golden spheres that really looks like interlocking spider web markings. <p>Owyhee Jasper/Oregon <br>Golds, browns, reds& lots of nice earthtones. Also a nearly mined out classic locale. One variation is  Owyhee Sunset jasper. <p>Harquehela Jasper/Arizona <br>Northern Arizona produces this pretty olive green and pink material which is sometimes almost banded. <p>Rojo Verde Jasper/Arizona <br>As its Spanish name implies, this jasper contrasts light red and pale green banding. <p>Polka Dot Mine/Oregon <br>This is fun material. Most of it really does have brown polka dots on a glassy white or bluish surface. <p>Burro Creek Jasper/Arizona <br>Lovely lavendar material&nbsp; with different shadings. <p>Indian Blanket Jasper/Wyoming <br>This has lovely pink and lavender markings on a dusty off-white background. Usually the material is a matte finish, not a high polish. <p><u><font face="Arial Black"><font size=+1>Agates</font></font></u> <p>Oregon Moss Agate/ Oregon <br>Fabulous colors green, red, golden yellow. The colorful moss can be seen  inside the stone, almost as if you were looking through a layer of glassy water. <p>Montana Moss Agate/ Montana <br>This translucent material is highly prized. Dendrites and other black or brown organic matter seems trapped in beautiful glassy white or blue see-through <br>agate. We have a great deal of this material which is not easily available any longer. <p>Graveyard Plume/Oregon <br>A long time favorite of rockhounds. Looks like outlined clouds against a creamy sky. <p>Mt. Airy/Nevada <br>Windows of startling glassy sky blue agate in a beige stone matrix. One of our personal favorites. Sometimes with druzy quartz or fortifications. <p>Black Rock Desert/Nevada <br>Blue-black windows in a reddish matrix. Quite unique. <p>Thunder Egg/Oregon <br>Earth s agate nodules& Interesting surprises. Color ranges in blues, grays and beiges. The Native Americans believed that the gods tossed them at each other. <p>Maury Mountain/Oregon <br>Lovely red agate from a well-known location. <p>Oregon and Texas Tube Agates <br>Truly wonderful and unique. They form as chutes injected into rock. The lovely intricate patterning create very unique specimens. <p>Opal Butte Chalcedony/ Oregon <br>The most interesting spheres have a perfectly round white agate spot on the top, against a glassy gray agate body. <p>Thunder Bay/Oregon <br>A golden brown or beige material with some slight trimmings of orange. <p>Dryhead/Montana <br>Reds/peaches/rust colors in unique fortification patterns. The material is now only found in old rockhound s secreted stashes. <p>Lavendar Sage/Oregon <br>Patches of purple agate against golden matrix, sometimes with druzy. <p>Sian Agate/California <br>Wonderfully patterned agates in browns, golds and sometimes a bit of rust or orange. Under-appreciated. <p>Chapinite/California <br>Often looks a bit like a roadmap with crisscrossing lines in a light matrix. <p>Nevada Chalcedony <br>Beautiful blue/purple agate veined with golden brown. Really stunning! <p>Red Hot Texas Agate <br>Just what it implies a gorgeous vivid red. <br>Lysite Agate/Wyoming <br>Going, going, gone! We have one last piece of this classic agate with druzy pockets. <p><u><font face="Arial Black"><font size=+1>Opal</font></font></u> <p>Oregon Opal/Opal Butte <br>These incredible and spectacular opal spheres just incite the senses. There are many with brilliant orange  windows where you can look deep inside, some with  red-tinted windows and some with clear windows that feature  bubble-like configur-ations or if you use your imagination look like fantastic sci-fi cities under glass. <p>These are by no means the only treasures to come from this part of the world, only the highlights of wonderful materials that create incredible spheres! <br>&nbsp; <p>A Reminder: Crystal Balls Can Be a Hazard! <br>At least twice while shopping at shows, we have prevented vendors from alighting their booths when they have placed newspaper under quartz crystal on top of wooden tables. Smelling burning paper, we alerted the dealer. Now comes a report from Shawnee, OK about a family that ignited a fire in the house by leaving a glass sphere on the couch in front of a window. Firefighters arrived in time to douse the flames coming from the couch and save the family. <br>&nbsp; <p><u><font size=+2>TUCSON</font></u> <br><u><font size=+2>REPORT</font></u> <p>Here s what we spotted on our most recent shopping trip: <br>&nbsp;*Pretty Blue Diopsite from Russia <br>&nbsp;*Green Smithsonite from Mexico <br>&nbsp;*Rare Black Schungite from Russia <br>&nbsp;*Unusual Glassy Black Jade from Australia <br>&nbsp;*Thulite/Zoisite Pink and Green! <br>&nbsp;*Red Oyster Fossil from Morrocco <br>&nbsp;*Bright Neon Green Gaspeite from Australia <br>&nbsp;*Gemmy Green Apatite from Russia with Actinolite <br>&nbsp;*White Saginite with interesting patterns <br>&nbsp;*Great Mexican Agates Laguna, Agua Nueva, Flame, Mexican Lace, Cathedral, Tube and the brand new Coyamito! <br>&nbsp;*Clear Calcite that fluoresces, Terlingua TX <br>&nbsp;*Argentine Yellow Onyx <br>&nbsp;*Dark Green Orbicular Kambaba Jasper from Madacascar <br>&nbsp;*Tiger Stripe Graphic Granite from Madagascar <br>&nbsp;*Jaspers:Green Cloud (U.S.), red Tabu Tabu <br>&nbsp; (Africa), Purple Burro Creek (Arizona) <br>&nbsp;*Small spheres of large green tourmaline crystals in white calcite. <br>&nbsp; <p>&nbsp;OOOOOOOOOOOO <p>&nbsp;<u>Sphere Collector News</u> <br>&nbsp;One of our sphere enthusiasts, Tom Heckhaus tells us that he has  un-retired by taking a position as administrator of a small earth science museum on Long Island.&nbsp; He says:  The museum has the largest mineral and geological collection in New York State, so myself and my sphere collection are right at home! <br>&nbsp;If you have interesting news about yourself or your collection, please email us <br>&nbsp;at marcela@iswest.com or jackie@spherestoyou.com.&nbsp; Please put  Sphere Collector News in the subject line. <br>&nbsp; <p>Need Pouches, Pillows or Stands? <br>Spheres To You has a wonderful array of ways to display or carry your precious spheres. Come visit or call us. We love to meet our customers.&nbsp; Please call (818) 991-5143 or email spheres@iswest for an appointment:. Or go the website to see our selection and order: www.spherestoyou.com <br>&nbsp; <p>THE SPHERICAL WORLD <br>Editor:&nbsp; Jackie Lapin <br>Published By: <br>Sphere s To You <br>&nbsp;PO Box 1270 <br>Agoura Hills, CA 9l376 <br>Phone: (8l8) 991-5143 <br>FAX: (8l8) 707-3543 <br>E-mail address: <br>Spheres@iswest.com <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <p><font color="#FFFF00">.</font> <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; </body> </html>