Best Sources for Gemstone Globes?

Q.What are the best sources for gemstone (lapis) globes on the web? What's a good price to pay for these globes? I'm interested in 13"+, and I'd like to pay the lowest possible price but only from a reliable source

A.I just saw the lapis (and other semiprecious stones) inlay world globes at Sam's Club for $286. They appeared to be the same as the globes I have been seeing at gem and jewelry shows for the past few months. Everything looked to be genuine except that the base was apparently a stabilized lapis/epoxy composite. If I were looking, I would just either go to Sams or Price Club, etc., or wait until I found them to eyeball firsthand before buying. I am a big fan of on-line shopping, but this seems to me to be quite a fragile item that would probably not stand up to well during shipping.

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