How to Start a Marble Collection

Classify the Marbles You Have

• 1

  Gather up all the marbles you currently have in a bag or box.

• 2

  Divide the marbles into separate categories that make sense to you--for example, size, opaque or transparent, board game marbles (such as Chinese Checkers), by color, etc. Small plastic sandwich bags can provide inexpensive storage.

• 3

  Go to the Land of Marbles or another picture site where you can compare what your marbles look like with typical examples (see Resources below).

• 4

  Write down the types of marbles you have by the terms listed on the site. If you believe you have a marble of value and want to sell it, consult an expert to be certain of its pedigree.

Add to Your Collection

• 5

  Go to a marble show to see what is available and what you like. Talk to people there to find out how they pursue the hobby, what resources they use and so on. Borrow or buy books on the subject at the library or at "The Marble Shop @ Land of Marbles."

• 6

  Join a marble club or Internet group to learn more about how and why people collect marbles. Ask club members what types of marbles are best for a new collection. A helpful site is Marvelous Marbles (see Resources below).

• 7

  Decide what you like. This is the main criterion for any collection. There are dozens of types of marbles, from one-of-a-kind art glass to to ultra-common cat's-eyes, and it is unlikely that you have the time or the resources to collect them all. Use your own taste to narrow down your selection.

• 8

  Start with a local toy or hobby store or an Internet site such as MegaGlass for new marbles or Marvelous Marbles for antiques (see Resources below).