This section will be a work in progress and I apologize for my inability to complete it in a timely fashion. I think it's important that people know what they can expect from us, and that we be held accountable for our descriptions. On occasion I have become frustrated with my inability to apply strict rules across the board that I can follow with total commitment. This outline of our grading scale is an attempt to eliminate any gray areas and help further clarify what you should expect when making a purchase from us. 

We are committed to a firm scale of grading that does not change like the wind, however exceptions must be made relative to the marble itself. A simple example of "relativity" would be a single pinprick on a machine made marble measuring 5/8" in diameter, and that same pinprick on a 1-3/4" handmade swirl. With an absolute system of grading marbles, there would be no difference of grade, there would be no confusion about what constitutes a pinprick, and there would be no debate on the value of that marble as it relates to it's grade. Presently there is no such absolute system and many sellers have fallen into the gray area of generalities when placing grades and/or are unable to follow their own supposedly strict guidelines. 

In my opinion, when placing a grade on a marble, location of the damage plays an important role. A subsurface moon smack dab in the middle of a sulphide which blocks the view of the figure inside, should receive less of a grade than that same subsurface moon next to the pontil. Maybe that's a mistake in many collector's eyes, but I believe it's an important aspect that does have an influence on what someone feels that marble is worth. And to get to the heart of the matter, placing a grade on a marble is relative to placing a monetary value on it, or at least an expectation of value. If I state a marble is in Mint condition, the person considering it's purchase makes an assumption of value based upon my grade. Of course, many other factors come into play from the bidder's point of view when they ultimately decide how much to bid on a marble. An arguement could be made asking why even designate a particular grade, detailing the condition in a description is much more important than expressing an opinion on grade. 

Again, my primary purpose in talking about grading marbles is to let folks know what they can expect from us. Afterall, buying a marble on the internet can be a difficult process all by itself, if the seller isn't consistent with his grades it can make for an unpleasant experience. Hopefully, by discussing the importance of grading and holding myself accountable to my methods, this may help you feel more comfortable buying a marble from us. If you don't agree with how I designate a grade to a marble, that's okay, the biggest room in my house is the room for improvement, if you want to pass on some constructive criticism I'm all ears. We offer a no hassle money back guarantee on all of our marbles, not as a license to be creative with my grading, but for a positive way of resolving any differences of opinion. Our sincere desire is to have happy customers who will come back and do business with us in the future. Bid with confidence as our reputation for quality is reflected in excellent feedback and the resulting repeat business it generates. 

Mike

WET MINT CONDITION -  (9.9)  Okay, if the marble that I am holding in my hand appears to be in the same condition as it was when it was originally made, regardless of the type or size of marble, I will give it this grade. Given that original packaging with untouched marbles inside are few and far between, and the realm of handmades have no original packaging to speak of - with a few exceptions, examples falling in this grade will naturally be very limited and should command a premium. An important aspect to consider when applying this grade to a marble comes from "as-made" defects. With an absolute system of grading, if this is the way the marble was made - defects and all, then it's Wet Mint. Whether your talking about an air bubble that has popped near the surface, or an annealing fracture running through the center, Wet Mint is Wet Mint. Well, we don't believe that and our grades will take into account as-made damage and a proper deduction will be made. Should we feel that a particular marble with an as-made defect still deserves a Wet Mint grade, the as-made will be duely noted in the description for your consideration. A simple example of an as-made that we feel should not affect the grade would be a tiny bubble under the glass that reflects when the marble is turned a certain way. 

MINT CONDITION -  (9.4 - 9.8)  This level of grade includes marbles with a "hint of wear", a "sparkle", a "micro pinprick", or a small as-mades that will be duely noted in the description. Any wear will not be seen with the naked eye, it will require magnification and a strong light to see. The most important point to remember that when we apply this grade and/or it's numerical equivalent,  we feel that the marble is less than Wet Mint. Using both a numerical and descriptive grade lends itself to a classic dilemma that plays itself out over and over in many situations on down the  grading scale - you'll be hard pressed to explain the difference between 9.6 and 9.7, but you probably have a well founded opinion on the difference between Wet Mint and Mint. We will use the numerical scale first outlined by Danny Turner to reflect the condition of a marble. We believe that the numerical grade is a better indicator to the "degree" that a marble is less than Wet Mint than an overly used and abused term. 

MINT MINUS CONDITION -  (9.0 - 9.3) I don't think it's difficult to hold Mint minus to a high standard, afterall, there's not a great difference between 9.2 and 9.4  However, it is less than Wet Mint and we have crossed over nine points in grade on the numerical scale. Now I know everyone won't agree, but I feel these terms taken in context and relative to the marble itself still warrant a Mint minus grade....Subsurface Moon, Pit, Pinprick, Wear, Scratch, and Micro Pinprick(s). Please keep in mind that in my opinion a subsurface moon is less of a violation than a surface moon where glass is missing. A "pinprick" is an abused general term but be assured we take it's meaning literally - it appears to of been pricked by a pin. Suffice it to say that the size of any subsurface moon or pit must be minute and will be used with the appropriate adjective like "tiny" or "very small" and will be difficult to see with the naked eye.  The term "wear" will be accompanied with an appropriate adjective, a "scratch" will be well defined in the description. To summarize, there's not a whole lot of difference between 9.8 and 9.0 in terms of actual tangible damage to a marble, the realm of "Mint" must be held to a higher standard. If you need something clarified, please don't hesitate to ask. 

Okay, here's where everyone throws away their loupe. 

NEAR MINT PLUS CONDITION -  (8.7 - 8.9)  Marbles falling in this realm of condition will still have a wet looking surface that will appear on first appearances as being Mint. A bright light may reveal subsurface reflections, one or two small pits and/or pinpricks seen with the naked eye, or a single surface moon. Under magnification you can expect to see marks similiar to a marble in Mint minus condition. In regards to multiples, we will not use vague adjectives like pinpricking, pitting, some, few, many, etc.... when describing a marble in Near Mint + condition. A marble only one to three points out of Mint minus condition requires a bit more accuracy. Besides, if general terms are appropriate because the damage can not be counted, well it doesn't deserve a Near Mint plus grade.

NEAR MINT CONDITION -  (8.3 - 8.6)  Here tends to be the beginnings of the "fog" that clouds the better judgement of many. Why? We feel it's because that sure fire value killer, the four letter word known as Good, is just 4 points away along the numerical scale. Otherwise sane and reasonable judgement gets thrown out the window when the shadow of that four letter word looms. We are not afraid of Good, and neither should you. We will however begin to loosen our grip on precise counting and definitive terms. We'll do this because any marble that requires generalities is no better than Near Mint condition. Simple. Marbles falling in the Near Mint classification may contain pits and pinpricks where words like some, few, several, general, and the suffix "ing" may be appropriate. The term "wear" will begin to describe a marble that does not have a wet looking surface. Surface moons and/or a flake of glass missing will fall in this range, albeit they will be very small and accurately counted in the description, along with an approximation of size. Near Mint condition will not be a "catch all" grade to try a sneak 'em past ya amongst the crowd.

NEAR MINT MINUS CONDITION -  (8.0 - 8.2)  There will not be a whole lot of difference between marbles we grade in this class from a marble in Near Mint condition. Basically we're talking about a marble that has just a bit more of what you would expect to find in the previous grade. The terms "chip" and "bruise" will be introduced with both being similar in size but one being under the surface of the glass and the other on the surface of the glass. An approximation of size will be included to better define the damage. As a general rule of thumb marbles with multiples of subsurface moons and reflections will be classed here, multiples of surface moons and larger pits will not as we feel they deserve a lower grade. General wear becomes more of an issue in this grade, a marble's surface may be scratched up without having any other significant damage. Again, for us missing glass deserves a lower grade than a marble scuffed up from play. 

GOOD PLUS CONDITION -  (7.7 - 7.9)  The world of missing glass, by that I'm talking about pits that are measurable on a circle template, shallow flakes of glass, and small chips. Although not in multiples, larger subsurface moons and heavier wear also fall into the Good range. You can expect to find similar wear as in a Near Mint - graded marble along with one or two larger sized blemishes which will be accurately noted in the description. Keep in mind that the phrase "along with" implies multiples of damage, a single chip or larger subsurface bruise in an otherwise Mint marble would be classed higher than Good + condition. Marbles in the Good realm will make excellent place holders, or as an affordable alternative to the more costly Mint examples. They will display well and should be easily buffed or polished without the removal of too much glass or the opening of the poles in an Onionskin for example. 

GOOD CONDITION -  (7.3 - 7.6)  Based upon my experience a marble in Good condition is very much like a marble in Good + condition. The difference being either the size of a particular blemish like a subsurface bruise, or more commonly the multiples of any such damage as you would expect to find in a Good + graded marble. You also might find multiples of surface moons and pits but they won't be large in size, or if they are large they can be easily counted. Heavy wear consists of overall pinpricking and scratches but again a marble graded Good should still be easily polished or buffed without too much glass removal. 

GOOD MINUS CONDITION -  (7.0 - 7.2)  Here you'll find numerous pits, surface moons, subsurface moons, and overall heavy wear. Multiples of larger damage like chips and bruises do not apply as they tend to block the view of the core on handmade swirls for example. Also, if polishing such a marble the resulting loss of glass would cut into the outer design and/or open up the poles. Marbles with that much damage are reserved for the Collectable classification. Good minus marbles will still have at least one side that displays Good and can still make for a decent placeholder. They will will be easily polished though some remnants of damage may remain. Overall a marble graded Good -  will not be for everyone, but for that rare example or that beauty needing a buff, these will make for a reasonable alternative or a perfect example for restoration.

COLLECTABLE CONDITION -  Any marble in less than Good minus condition. We will describe all major damage and give an approximation of size. No numerical grade will be given. Most if not all will require polishing which will result in the loss of design or diameter. Normally these make very good candidates for a "reheating" process where the surface of the glass becomes molten again and the damage removed.