Scoop

Dustin is the lucky guy in our family and he says 62

'Can't help ya with that one.... While some people are studying histories, I'm just lookin' at the patterns and colors!!! Though, it does make sense that finer detail, better work and more intricate design would indicate a more experienced glass worker...

Are we speaking cyber or material?

That's a BEAUTY, Mike!!! But, I agree... I'd call it a 2-stage, too... Unusual, yes!! But, just like the cores with floating colors, those outer groups of swirls are a "stage" of design. They are on the same plane and alternate with each other... One might say, "Well, there's a little difference in depth." I think, if you have to ponder it for more than a milli-second, give it up!!! LOL That doesn't mean this isn't (maybe) just as unusual, or valuable as it would be as a tri-stage. I haven't noticed that style enough to know how unusual it is... But, it certainly isn't common...

There may be a lot of conflicting answers here... But, here's my take on it... Even though many very established and respected collectors and dealers are calling the top marble a tri-stage.... In the eyes of those who have been actively buying tri-stage swirls for a very long time... No, yours would be a solid core with floating colors.... Reason being... Even though the "floating colors" are spaced away from the white core, they are there to enhance the white core. They are a part of the core design... A true tri-stage has 3 layers of swirls that are totally independent of each other... I've been one of those very active buyers for a VERY long time!!! One of the reasons I focused on them, was because I saw a difference that others didn't notice, they were a lot less common than the usual 2 layer. Yet, I could pick them up for the same prices as a regular swirl!!! There was the satisfaction of finding a relative rarity without having to pay the "rare" price... It never occurred to me to include these "solid core with floating colors" in this category. They are far more common and... even though they may meet the "Technical definition," they are NOT the marbles that tri-level / tri-satge collectors look for. They have a totally different look. As more people began to notice, the prices went up on tri-stage swirls. These solid core marbles fit the description enough to cop the name and BINGO!! Everyone has a rare marble to sell.... SO.... Sure, you can call it a tri-stage. Hell, everyone does. And, if it makes them feel warm and fuzzy that they have a bunch of these RARE marbles... Cool. ROFL If you want to collect the marbles that are actually very hard to find and will get the attention of those who really know what they're looking for... No, I'm sorry, this is not one of them... Here are some examples of true tri-stage marbles... I would call the second a "Double Ribbon".... And BOTH are beautiful marbles!!!

I remember, Patty!!! Great to see you back!!

I only kinda get the concept of football.... Just enough to almost know what's going on... But, I love the Super Bowl for the food, drink & COMMERCIALS!!!!

Let's add a plug for the Mother Ship!!! Now HERE is where you can get some "Wicked Awesome" marbles at a good price!!!! Mig's Mibz!!!

The sentiments of ANY decent Patriots fan!!!!

NO!!! That's just NOT right!!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! If we get Mr. Miggles mibs as prizes, I may have to bone up on my machine mades!!!! LOL

Heyyyyyyyyyy, settle down, boys!!! Your both very wise and you've both been around a while. Let's try turning this into a fun and learning thing... First off... Because it isn't about Jabos at all... Why not start a new thread?? It might be cool to toss up this challenge and see how it goes?? Who knows?? Maybe we can even get some prizes involved!! I bet I could come up with a couple.... Whattayasay???

Hey Delbert, don't miss the pinned thread at the top of the page, with Lou's photo tutorial. If you have any trouble, let us know... 'Lookin' forward to photos!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, PIE!!!! That's Kacey's dream item. A slice of Jody's marble pie...

It's always good to see ol' Bluz'n greenz around!!! LOL

I expected it was probably out of a lot of old marbles... I'm just surprised anyone would put it on ebay!!! LOL Poor lady, she must feel foolish....

Wow, that's cool!!! I don't think I've ever seen a brass one!! As far as "Correct Terms" are concerned, I think we need to say, here... Despite the fact that ball bearings were used by kids as marbles... And, I'm really sure I've seen them packaged as marbles (I've gotta look... I might have them... ) The term as far as collecting is concerned, is generally considered to apply to hollow steelies, unless specified... Even then, ball bearing is probably more appropriate!! LOL Cuz, despite the packaging, that's really all they are.... And, there's NOTHING wrong with that!!! I think I have a few kickin' around, because they came with a bag of marbles....

There was a legit packaging of solid metal marbles... But, it didn't fly too far. As I remember, the package was a plastic bubble stuck to a red cardboard backing. Probably 1960-70 era??

Size seems to be a novelty for some artists.... Leaning towards the "Just to see if I can do it" goal.... Once done, it loses it's lustre pretty fast!!! I know Dudley Giberson did some HUGE stuff (In Bev Brule's collection...) I'm not sure how big the largest is.... Maybe 8"... I need to get together with her son and get pictures of some of this stuff... Also, Paul Stankard has turned out some big honkin' sphere's.... Seen Here Some of these have been pieced together... Paul does soft glass torch work... I don't think there's ANY way he could go so big and keep detail (Just going that big on a torch without detail is a serious trick!!) From what I understand (And, this is probably a rough abreviated description of the process) he creates the inner part and has a glass tech square them up and add (with a type of glue...) clear sections around it... Then, the whole thing goes into a sphere machine and comes out round!! If you examine the sphere very closely, the seams can be seen..... In my mind, I have to think, "Isn't that cheating????" But, it is a process and it does work!! Sooooooo..... ???? (Besides... Whose gonna tell Paul Stankard he's cheating??? ROFLMAO!!!)

Just when ya think you've seen it all....................... At least they didn't create a crazy story!! Let's see.... Are there any good celebrities with the initials R E ??

At the risk of frustrating those who might hope these will go un-noticed (Sorry!!)... Here's a link. Azuma Auction

When I read this........ I realized how much I felt much the same way... In some respects.... When I started collecting, the prices were FAR more reasonable... Sure, there were things I couldn't afford (Though, I wish I had the chance to pay those prices today!!!) But, for the most part, one could scratch the hobby addiction itch on a weekly basis and stay pretty happy.... Because I was able to buy some very nice stuff at very reasonable prices back then, my collection is at a level where the additions I "need" for it are FAR beyond what I can afford... What I can afford, I don't need.... That was when I found myself getting farther into contemporaries... I could get the thrill of buying something that REALLY wowed me.... I was able to afford it.... AND, it comes with something that vintage marbles don't come with... An Artist that you can interact with!!! Sooooo, when you say..... You may have come to your own solution... Maybe you should check into the contemporary market a little more!! The Wheaton Show is happening in Millville, NJ on the June 18-20 weekend. It is MECCA for both artists and collectors alike!! Some people do sell vintage there, but because it's primarily a contemporary show, it can be good pickin' for vintage, too!!! Also.... when you say.... Why the despair?? If you find them and you like them, BUY them!!! Who cares if they are Vacors!! Yes... I understand why you feel a little betrayed by the confusion... BUT, if you can get the same enjoyment from a Vacor, as you can from a vintage marble, is there anything wrong with that?? I don't think so.... This huge bruiser is one of my VERY favorite marbles... It is displayed with some of my best vintage and signed contemporaries... When non-collectors view my collection, they have no idea of the vast "social & economic" differences between that Vacor and the "high brow" stuff it sits next to... After all... In the end, they ALL are just what you say.... Buy what you love, love what you buy.... Don't sweat the social pressure!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I think I do have a bag like that, Dani... If I'm right, they are clays.... The shape of the bag is right. I REALLY need to get my collection more accessible!!! (Working on it...) If I get a chance to look for them, I will....

Ordinarily, I'd agree with that... But, it is a percentage. With a low feedback # one negative takes a serious hit... Like Semdot says... This is only ONE negative out of 110... It's the folks with 4-5 digit feedback scores and under 99% that have managed to rack up a world of sin!!! I was absolutely AMAZED to see a seller with one of those "Gold Seal / Blue Ribbon" thingies for "Top Rated Sellers" and they had something like 125 negatives!!!! Yeah, they had a TON of feedback!! But damn... 125 negatives??? And that's "Top Rated???" I think I'd call it "Volumn is Outta Control!!!" and look for another seller.... Ooops 'sorry for a partial hyjack Okie... Those look pretty cool!!!

Yep... Basically, what David said... If you collect what you love and pay what you feel it's worth, there are no fakes!! It's only when values get involved that fraud issues come up. I do understand your feeling... If I were out there buying expensive marbles for lots of money, I'd have a lot more to be worried about... But, if you stay within your knowledge comfort zone and "hunt" wisely... And most of all... LOVE what you collect. It's tough to go wrong.