How grading works
Every marble in the vault is scored out of ten. The scale is about condition only — rarity and pattern quality are described separately so you can judge both.
Manufacturing marks are not damage
A cut-off or shear mark, a pontil, a seam tail and an as-made pit all happen during manufacture. They are part of how the marble was born and never reduce the grade. Chips, flea bites, bruises, scratches and flat spots are damage and do.
The scale
- 9.5–10 — Mint. Only as-made marks. Full gloss, no wear.
- 8.5–9.4 — Near mint. Light surface scuffing visible under raking light.
- 7.0–8.4 — Excellent. Small marks or a flea bite, still displays strongly.
- 5.0–6.9 — Good. Visible wear, small chips, honest play condition.
- 3.0–4.9 — Collector. Multiple chips or heavy wear; bought for the pattern.
- Below 3 — Study piece. Damaged, useful for reference or practice.
Attribution
Makers are attributed by construction and pattern only, and always stated as undocumented. Where two makers are plausible we list both rather than pick one for effect.
Pricing
Values come from comparable sold results, not asking prices, and are quoted in CAD. Condition moves price more than any other factor.