Gemstone Globes – a true work of art for the home or office
Gemstone balloons in all their glory transcend the role of the ordinary balloon in the home or office to become a treasured work of art. Just as a painting or sculpture can add character, beauty and charm to a space, so can a globe finely crafted with semi-precious gemstones mined from the world’s richest mines.
Gemstone globes have been a prized addition to the homes of the rich and well-to-do for centuries. In the old days, they were painstakingly crafted by hand, each piece lovingly and precisely cut from the finest stones. Craftsman would work on a single piece for hours and maybe even entire days to get the perfect look.
Not only was the beauty appreciated in these gemstone globes, but also the geographical precision. Back then, it was important to get the exact shape of each country, showing the border in rich gold.
While the world around us has changed tremendously over the centuries, the manufacturing process used for gemstone globes remains largely unchanged. Skilled artisans still work on each balloon, making sure all the pieces fit together. On a large balloon, this may not seem like much of a challenge. But gemstone balloons can be as small as 7″ in diameter, requiring a lot of fine detail to ensure not only a perfect fit, but also a beautiful balloon that you and your family will cherish for generations.
One of the best things about having gemstone globes is that you not only get to know your continents, countries, and bodies of water, but also your gemstones. The bigger the globe, the more gemstones you will see. While the actual types vary depending on the size and style of the globe, you can expect to see black and yellow jasper, mother of pearl, and of course, blue lapis lazuli, which is a traditional choice for oceans.
To keep your gemstone globes looking beautiful and like new, you’ll want to make sure you do some regular maintenance on them. Since these are delicate works of art, you should follow the suggestions below to ensure proper cleaning that does not damage the finish.
You want to start with a clean dust cloth first. When your globe looks a bit dirty, you can dust it with a soft cloth. Use a cotton one. A diaper works wonders, but any clean cotton cloth will do. Wipe the entire surface of the globe until the shine returns.
Next, take a Q-tip and go over all the seams with it. Track latitudes and longitudes and also loop through all countries and states. Even though these seams are tight, dust can still collect on them and the fabric may not be able to remove it.
If your gemstone globes continue to look a bit dull, you can slightly dampen the cloth with a little water and gently wipe the globe again. Some recommend rubbing lotion into the surface, but it’s not necessary. Water will work just fine and all gemstones are sealed at the factory so you don’t have to worry about them absorbing water. Once you’ve washed the entire surface, go over it again with a dry cloth. If it’s really dirty, put a drop or two of mild dish soap into a bowl of water and wipe it over the globe. Follow this with a second damp rag to remove any soap residue.
With proper care, your balloon should continue to look beautiful for years to come. And with how often countries seem to change their names these days, it might as well become a collector’s item.
