What Is a Round Marble Made of Color-Streaked Glass Called?

History

• Agate marbles were first machine-produced in the 1800s.

Significance

• The harder nature of the agate marbles created an advantage for marble players who used aggies as their "shooters," changing marble games forever. Glass imitation of agate marbles are less expensive to produce, and imitated the look and feel of an agate marble.

Function

• Aggie and immie marbles were originally used for marble games and play (primarily for children), but are now also collected as antiques.

Fun Fact

• In marbles, the term "keepsies" is used to describe a game when "winner takes all." For a marble player with a favorite "aggie" or "immie" shooter marble, a "keepsies" match can quickly turn into a high-stakes game.

Identification

• An "aggie" or "immie" marble can be identified by streaks of color within a glass marble, resembling an agate.