{"product_id":"afghanite-polished-sphere-ball-with-wooden-stand","title":"Afghanite Polished Sphere Ball with wooden Stand","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Afghanite Polished Sphere Ball with wooden Stand presents a geometric display of one of the world's rarer feldspathoid minerals. Sourced from the historic lapis lazuli deposits in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, this specimen features a mosaic of rich sky-blue to deep navy Afghanite intergrown with white to pale cream calcite and matrix minerals. The spherical cut provides an all-around 360-degree view of the stone's complex metamorphic crystallization, revealing the natural variations in color density and mineral boundaries across its surface.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn appealing characteristic of this Afghanite Polished Sphere Ball with wooden Stand is its diagnostic ultraviolet response. When exposed to longwave blacklight, the lighter, non-blue mineral zones fluoresce a distinct, vibrant orange-yellow hue, caused by trace element activators trapped within the silicate lattice during formation. The polished exterior gives the sphere a smooth, reflective surface with a vitreous to greasy luster, highlighting both its natural daylight coloration and its light-reactive inclusions.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith a Mohs hardness rating of 5.5 to 6, this Afghanite Polished Sphere Ball with wood Stand is carefully lapidary-contoured into a balanced orb. It rests on a turned wooden display stand, which provides a stable, elevated base for tabletop or cabinet exhibition without obscuring the bottom of the sphere. Each piece exhibits an unrepeatable arrangement of blue silicate channels and fluorescent matrix patches. The specimen is wrapped in dense, protective padding to safeguard its polished surface and edges during shipping. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSphere Details:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e Afghanite\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Size:\u003c\/b\u003e ~4.75in \u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Weight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.22kg\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin of Stone:\u003c\/b\u003e Afghanistan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNotes:\u003c\/b\u003e Please note that each sphere is completely unique. You will receive the Sphere as pictured along with the wooden display base as picture\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Desert Oasis Minerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55128770871575,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0744\/2300\/9559\/files\/A31AE2EA-08A2-4196-9A03-AC31924AA9B2.jpg?v=1788672146","url":"https:\/\/desertoasisminerals.com\/products\/afghanite-polished-sphere-ball-with-wooden-stand","provider":"Desert Oasis Minerals LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}