# How Do They make Those Semiprecious Stone Globes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026 "2005-01-28T01:13:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/1 "2005-01-28T01:13:15Z")
I’ve seen themon TV and in gift shops…these are globes, with different countries represented by inlaid semi=precious stones. the oceans are lapis lazuli. How do you cut thin layers of these stones, such that they can be bent onto a spherical form? Are they some kind of veneer? I expect that these will be showing up in yard sales soon…if I can buy one cheap I’ll take one apart to find out. meanwhile-anyone own one of these? Where are they made? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/2 "2005-01-28T02:24:59Z")
I bought a small one of those for myself when I was in Las Vegas not long ago. They’re made by [these guys.](http://www.jerewright.com) Apparently it’s all real stone, but for the oceans they use a paste of ground up lapis, with resin as a binder. I would assume that the stones are carved with a curved surface; I don’t think it’s possible to bend rocks. I couldn’t find any info on where they’re made. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/3 "2005-01-28T03:34:50Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > They’re made by [these guys.](http://www.jerewright.com) Apparently [half of China](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=%22gemstone+globes%22+china&btnG=Search) is involved in the manufacture and sale of these globes. Some are made of real stones and shell, [as listed here](http://www.1worldglobes.com/1WorldGlobes/GemstoneGlobes/ggcountrystones.htm), others are made with powdered stone, or mixed stone and stone products. Some are actually polished, while others get a thick coat of acryllic resin. I ran across several manufacturers of ‘quality’ globes that claimed their pieces were hand ground to fit. I see no reason to doubt that _some_ globes are made this way, although in this context, ‘hand ground’ likely means ‘using electrically powered abrasive wheels’. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/4 "2005-01-28T03:52:38Z")
That last reference is odd; they don’t list Russia, Switzerland, or Belgium, and I figured that out in less than a minute. What other countries are they leaving out, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/5 "2005-01-28T03:52:50Z")
Forgot to add a link to the [Iranian Royal Jewel Globe](http://www.iranchamber.com/museum/royal_jewels/national_iranian_jewels02.php) It’s not made by the same methods as these new semiprecious stone globes, but still, it’s an impressive piece of work: > [@](#): > > The most magnificent globe in existence, it has a total height of 110 cm. and a diameter of 45 cm. and is covered with over 51 thousand gemstones. The seas and oceans are shown with emeralds. Land masses are mostly displayed in rubies and spinels. Iran, Britain, France, and parts of South Asia are shown in diamonds. The base is constructed of wood, covered with a layer of gold. Approximately 35 kilograms of pure gold is used in the globe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/6 "2005-01-28T03:56:59Z")
Albania, Moldova, Ukraine… Although they do list “Asia” and “Emest Legouve Reef,” whatever that is. I suppose Russia is hiding in “Asia,” but I hope Putin doesn’t get word of this… he’s been feeling defensive enough as it is, these days. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-those-semiprecious-stone-globes/287026/7 "2005-01-28T03:59:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Forgot to add a link to the Iranian Royal Jewel Globe Ugh, how unbelievably tacky. No kitsch like billionaire’s kitsch, that’s for sure!