What are the different types of marbles?
There are hundreds of different types of marbles since every pattern, size and material type has its own unique name. Even so there are a few types that are far more common than the others.
- Glassy or Crystal – This is a material name and these marbles are made completely of glass. They weren’t used much in the past since they chip so easily. Modern marbles are nearly all made of glass so this is the most common type currently available.
- Commie – This is a material name and these marbles are made of hard baked clay. These marbles are named commies because they used to be so common. The are typically a dull gray or brown color which is then painted. The paint usually rubs off easily leaving the dull color exposed.
- Alley – This is a material name for a marble made of alabaster. In the past this was one of the most decorated marbles you could find as the alabaster could be decorated in so many different ways.
- Steely – This is a material name for marbles made out of steel. The steel has to be folded so there are distinct lines that come together to make a ‘+’ on one side. If that mark isn’t there then its a ball bearing,
- Bumbo – This is a size name for any marble that is really big.
- Peewee – This is a size name for any marble that is really small.
- Cat’s Eye – This is a pattern name for one of the most common marble types. In any clear marble a difference color of material is put inside during its creation. This gives the marble an appearance similar to a cat’s eye.
- Sulfide – This is a pattern based name for any marble that contains a small figure inside. These figures are usually animals. Modern reproductions are made of glass so they are not true sulfides but typically carry the name anyway.
- Tiger – This a pattern name for a marble with orange or yellow stripes,
If a marble fits into multiple categories then its name just gets longer. For instance a tiny, orange striped, glass marble would be a ‘peewee glassy tiger.’
