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&nbsp; 20</font> <br>&nbsp; <br>&nbsp; <p><b><font size=+3>MARVELOUS MEXICAN SPHERES</font></b></center> <p><font size=+1>Our neighbors to the South may well be one of the richest source of beautiful spheres. While, we all love to ogle the exotic spheres from around the world in our collector case, those from close to home should not be overlooked!</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Agates</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>Mexican Agates are among the most beautiful in the world. They are vibrant in color and rich in variety and pattern. A cruise through any agate book will showcase Mexican agates right at the top. These include Agua Nueva (with touches of pink, red and purple), intricate Crazy Lace, Red Lace, Black Lace and Silver Lace, Luna (with orbicular white moons against a lavender/blue background), Flame (red and pink flame pattern), Laguna (multiple colors which can range from purple to red to silver to orange to lavender to tan), Calico (with its minute patterning in creams and pinks), Moss (glassy golds and reds), Cathedral (firey reds and golds), Cayanito (also in the red shades, with lots of fortifications), Bacon (rich browns that really are patterned like bacon) and Tube (various different patterns and colors, including rust brown  squiggles ). There is also the Mexican Coconut Agates that are actually geodes& They tend to be colored in pretty light blues, whites, browns and golds.&nbsp; Frankly we can t figure out why these are snapped up right away, especially the fabulous lace agates that just capture the eye as you trace their patterns around and around.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Calcites</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>Mexico boasts some of the most stunning blue calcite in the world, second only to Madagascar and less expensive, too. But the country is known for its amazingly rich brilliant, glassy orange calcite, sometimes contrasted with white markings. We especially like the extremely highgrade  honeycomb calcite, with its interlocking white lines.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Obsidians</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>No discussion of Mexican minerals is complete without fabulous volcanic obsidians. Black glass-like spheres where tiny fibrous inclusions developing in their cooling and hardening process have created all kinds of remarkable effects. You start with a plain black obsidian. Then mix in a little white snowflake (white spots just like snowflakes!), or perhaps sprinkle with rainbows. The rainbow obsidian is generally known for its pink and green circular bull eye s, but look around a bit more and you ll find gold, lavender, blue and peach sometime mixed into the concentric circles. There s also the wonderful gold sheen obsidian, with its rich golden almost iridescent patina.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>On a completely different volcanic path, though its getting hard to find, there is the lovely blue/green volcanic glass spheres, that remind you of clear ocean water!</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Jaspers</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>Mexican jaspers are unique unto themselves. Consider the Dalmation Jasper, cream with black spots. Yes, indeed it looks just like that firedog in the old pictures. Then there is Leopard Skin Jasper, which actually looks more snakey, than leopard with browns, tans and beiges and once in awhile peach. Our favorite is the Imperial Jasper, a dreamy mix of greens, pinks and reds in luscious patterns that just draw you in. There s also the calcite/aragonite mixed Easter Egg Jasper, so named because it looks pretty and sweet with multiple rings of glistening red/peach/pink calcite. Also in the red shades is the pretty Vaquilla Jasper, which has beautiful mixed patterns of reds and golds almost like a moss agate.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1><b><i><u>Organics</u></i></b></font> <br><font size=+1>Mexico produces a number of spheres from organic matter. Some of the most interesting are the black and white Orthoceras spheres, with a variety of very large prehistoric critters very distinctly visible. There are also the Crawstone Fossil spheres  brown matrix with turitilla snails, flabellum coral and clams--all in one! Then there are the Coquina spheres, a coarse-grained, porous, variety of limestone made up of fragments of shells.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Fluorite</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>Produced in Mexico are lovely rich dark green, or frequently Mardi Gras (green/purple) fluorite spheres. These tend to be different from the Chinese. Mexican Mardi Gras is generally cut larger than the Chinese and is richer in color. Now and then, we can even find a nice rich blue color sphere from Mexico, but these tend to be quite rare.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><b><i><u><font size=+1>Miscellaneous</font></u></i></b> <br><font size=+1>We like the unusual white Sagenite spheres, with geometrically patterned lines throughout. Sagenite has hair-like needles that are often arranged in fans, sunbursts or other notable designs. Also from Mexico, we secure the pretty flat-textured Pink Dolomite spheres (which tend to be very inexpensive) and occasionally aragonites in cream/brown/orange rings. We also found a one-time stock of Desert Rose Selenites cut into spheres. Now and then we can also track down a small piece of the shiny metal galena from our Mexican dealers.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>So next time you celebrate Cinco de Mayo, toast one to the beauty of Mexican spheres!</font><font size=+1></font> <center> <p><u><font face="Bremen Bd BT"><font size=+2>Useful Facts</font></font></u></center> <font size=+1>Want to know the  State Gemstones, Minerals, Rocks And Stones for each state in the U.S.? There s a great chart available at www.jewelrymall.com/stategems.html. Here are a few of the more obvious if you are a reader of mineral magazines:&nbsp; Tourmaline/Maine, Star Garnet/Idaho, Benitoite/California, Yolo Sapphire/Montana, Emerald/North Carolina, Fairburn Agate/South Dakota, Virgin Valley Opal/Nevada. But here s a few we bet you didn t know Tennessee Pearl/Tennessee, Flint/Ohio, Texas/Topaz, Arkansas/Diamond, Patuxent River Stone/Maryland, Moonstone/Florida and Star Blue Quartz/Alabama. This website also has a list of  Where Gemstones are Found in the U.S. -- www.jewelrymall.com/states.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>&nbsp;</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>&nbsp;</font><font face="Century Gothic"><font size=+3>Emerald! Green Heaven</font></font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Emerald evokes in us images of the ancient world emeralds in statues, jewelry, daggers and crowns. But these beautiful and luminous green beacons can be had in the most interesting spheres today.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Two locations are the primary sources, the American clear green emeralds from Western North Carolina. Mined by a few individuals, these pretty spheres from the Crabtree Mine are pure white calcite with distinctive tiny slivers of emerald scattered throughout& along with touches of black tourmaline. They are dainty!</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>The other major source of course is Brazil. And they are quite different, large 1-inch or larger crystals in black matrix, or emerald massive interspersed with touches of black hematite. These nearly all-emerald pieces are not only stunning, but they evoke the mystery of the ancient world.</font> <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp; <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp; <table BORDER COLS=1 WIDTH="100%" > <tr> <td> <center><font size=+2>This is our 20th Issue of the Spherical World! & 10 years of sphere news!</font></center> </td> </tr> </table> <font size=+1></font> <center> <p><b><u><font size=+2>TUCSON REPORT</font></u></b></center> <font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>This was our opal and tourmaline show! Lots of very cool opals and beautiful tourmalines seemed to just fall into our hands. Plus many other wonderful specimens.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Blue Indicolite Blue Tourmaline Marbles. Very, very rare indeed! From Brazil.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Pink, Pink/Green and Green Tourmaline Babies from Russia</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Small Australian Opal marbles.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Beautiful glassy, high polished pink opal from Peru. One is the largest specimen we ve seen.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Totally baby blue opal from Opal Butte Oregon</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Dark rich blue offset by matrix also from Opal Butte</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; More fiery orange Oregon Opal with glassy windows</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Lime green opal from Madagascar</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Lime green and orange opal from Madagascar</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Other great items include:</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; First time ever! Blue Smithsonite from Mexico</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Pretty blue Shattuckite from South Africa two different versions, one with Cuprite</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Agates from Morocco, Bostwana, Kentucky and other locals.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Grey/blue and white Natrolite with geometric markings from Russia</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; The rarest of the rare Pallasite spheres a two-toned spotted meteorite from Belarus</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Firebrick Copper white-dotted copper from Michigan</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Brachiopod Million-year-old clam antecedents!</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Moonstone, Sunstone and Black Tourmaline all in one a metaphysical feast!</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Purple Spurrite (also known as Damsonite) from Mexico</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Owyhee Sunset Jasper in Sunset colors</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; More blue dino bone/More vivid red dino bone.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Several great Turquoise spheres!</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Bronzite& a fabulous bronze irridescent flecked material from Brazil</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Psilomelane Babies Marbles of this fantastic metallic silver/black banded material from Mexico</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Parcelas Agate Looks like glassy grey agate in a snowstorm..from Mexico</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Some really nice green Chrysoprase from Australia and also Variscite from Utah</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Seldom seen Botswana Agate from Africa</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Condor Agate! Brilliantly colored Argentinean agate& Our favorite!</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Marbles in Blue Onyx, Petosky Stone, organic red MaryEllen Jasper and Firebrick Copper</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Native Copper Ore (green, shiny copper and black) from Michigan</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Great Ruby/Sapphire sphere!</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Black/gold metallic Pulsite with an array of unusual materials in its makeup.</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Luscious Malawi Blue Chalcedony</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Rich green chatoyant Diopside</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Chatoyant Blue/Black Pietersite from South Africa& a stunning specimen!</font> <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp;<font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>New Agate Book</font> <br><font size=+1>Though we don t sell it, we can t resist telling you about a coffee table book that is so beautiful as to be breathtaking. It s called simply  AGATES and it s by German professor Johann Zenz. The paperback version runs in the neighborhood of $85 and it s worth every penny! It is the largest compendium of photographs of agate slabs ever assembled in print. Don t miss this one if you are an agate lover& but then again, this book could make you an agate lover.&nbsp; J</font> <br><font size=+1>MOONSTONE</font> <br><font size=+1>Everyone Loves Moonstone! Whether its that amazing shimmer, the beautiful chatoyancy that captures you or its metaphysical mysticism, this stone is a true wonder. Today Moonstone is not just a white feldspar that resembles our circling body of reflected light. It comes in several other wonderful colors each with its own chatoyancy and unique appeal. Here is a quick look:</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>&middot; Sunstone-Moonstone (Russia)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Peach Moonstone (India)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Green Moonstone (India)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Aqua and Peach Moonstone (India)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Peach and Bronze Moonstone (Madagacar)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Rare Red (Madagascar)</font> <br><font size=+1>&middot; Silver (California)</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font face="Arial Greek"><font size=+3>The Disappeared has Re-appeared!</font></font> <br><font face="Arial Greek"><font size=+3>Put in your order now!</font></font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>This was an amazing show because two materials that have been off the market were obtained in small quantities very high caliber rich ruby red stalagtitic rhodochrosite from Argentina& the wonderful gemmy cherry-colored material with the  eyes. Don t miss the ones with black oxidation, too! These are very unusual.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>We also secured more of the fabulous high-grade red sphalerite from Spain, prized for its metaphysical properties and golden/red fire. The rhodochrosite is in stock, but we are having more marbles and spheres cut from the sphalerite. If you want to be alerted when it comes in, please email jeff@spherestoyou.com</font> <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp;<font size=+1></font> <center> <p><font size=+2>OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO</font></center> <font size=+1>&nbsp;</font><i><u><font size=+2>Looking for a Bargain?</font></u></i><font size=+1> Go to our Specials Page and you ll find lots of NEW marked down items! Also check the Consignment Pages& New Spheres on Hand!</font> <br><font size=+1>&nbsp;</font><font size=+1></font> <p><u><font face="Arial CYR"><font size=+2>Door Jewels"!</font></font></u><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Here s something cool! Buy two matching spheres from Spheres To You and Door Jewels can make them into doorknobs for your home! Finishes include satin nickel, shiny polished brass, and oil-rubbed bronze. They ll even make drawer pulls of smaller spheres. Contact us for more information!</font> <br><font size=+1>&nbsp;</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>THE SPHERICAL WORLD</font> <br><font size=+1>Editor:&nbsp; Jackie Lapin</font> <br><font size=+1>Published By:</font> <br><font size=+1>Sphere s To You</font> <br><font size=+1>&nbsp;PO Box 1270</font> <br><font size=+1>Agoura Hills, CA 9l376</font> <br><font size=+1>Phone: (8l8) 991-5143</font> <br><font size=+1>FAX: (8l8) 707-3543</font> <br><font size=+1>E-mail address:</font> <br><font size=+1>Spheres@spherestoyou.com</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>**Visit Us at Spheres To You**</font> <br><font size=+1>As always, we will continue to welcome folks to the showroom by appointment. Please call (818) 991-5143 or email spheres@spherestyou.com. Or go to the website to see our selection and order: www.spherestoyou.com.</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Sphere Collector News</font> <br><font size=+1>&nbsp;If you have interesting news about yourself or your collection, please email us at jeff@spherestoyou.com&nbsp; or jackie@spherestoyou.com. Please put  Sphere Collector News in the subject line.</font> <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp; <p>&nbsp; <center><b><font size=+3>MARTIN ZINN EXPOSITIONS LLC</font></b> <br><b><font size=+3>Mineral Fossil Shows</font></b> <p><br> <p><img SRC="06wcspring-jlapin.jpg" height=500 width=666></center> <p>______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ <center><font size=+2>MARTIN ZINN EXPOSITIONS LLC</font> <br><font size=+2>Mineral Fossil Shows</font> <p><font size=+1>2006-7 Show Schedule</font></center> <p><br><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Colorado Mineral &amp; Fossil Show (Spring), April 21 23, 2006, Denver, CO</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>West Coast Gem &amp; Mineral Show (Spring), May 12 14, 2006, Costa Mesa, CA</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>East Coast Gem, Mineral &amp;Fossil Show, August 11 13, 2006, West Springfield, MA</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>West Coast Gem &amp; Mineral Show (Fall), November 10 12, 2005, Costa Mesa, CA</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>Arizona Mineral &amp; Fossil Show, January 27 February 10, 2006, Tucson, AZ</font> <br><font size=+1></font>&nbsp; <p><font size=+1>For information go to: <a href="www.mzexpos.com">www.mzexpos.com</a></font> <p><font size=+1>_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________</font> <br><font size=+1>Radio Psychic</font><font size=+1></font> <p><font size=+1>The world s leading radio psychic Linda Salvin can be heard every weeknight. Ask her your questions or hear the wise, interesting, witty counsel she gives others. Go to <a href="www.lindasalvin.com">www.lindasalvin.com </a>to learn where you can hear her show.&nbsp; For a private session, call 888 509 1077.</font> <br>&nbsp; <p><font size=+1>Wicks of Wisdom</font> <br><font size=+1>& .To bring someone closer</font> <br><font size=+1>& .To improve health</font> <br><font size=+1>& .To make your home more peaceful & .To increase your prosperity</font> <p><font size=+1>Wicks Of Wisdom candles are a unique line of Spiritual Candles, petitions and formulas developed by guidelines handed down through the ages. They release a power that helps you achieve your goals. <a href="www.wicksofwisdom.com">www.WicksofWisdom.com</a></font> <br><font size=+1>____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</font> <p><font size=+1>THE SPHERICAL WORLD</font> <br><font size=+1>Editor:&nbsp; Jackie Lapin</font> <br><font size=+1>Published By:</font> <br><font size=+1>Sphere s To You</font> <br><font size=+1>&nbsp;PO Box 1270</font> <br><font size=+1>Agoura Hills, CA 9l376</font> <br><font size=+1>Phone: (8l8) 991-5143</font> <br><font size=+1>FAX: (8l8) 707-3543</font> <br><font size=+1>E-mail address:</font> <br><font size=+1>Spheres@iswest.com</font> <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>