Crazy Way they Cut Giant Volcanic Glass To Manufacture Crystal Balls

In this episode on Tekniq, witness the intriguing process of fabricating perfectly round glass balls from scratch.

[@imlassuom]

We know is not volcanic but the real question is why not pore it in a spherical mold to cut down processing time!

[@rahrahrobbbieee]

Because fortune tellers don't want cheap crystal balls

[@Deivid_C]

@@rahrahrobbbieee if it is not really volcanic, it is already cheap. LOL

[@markrouse2416]

So @imiassuom I assume is your belief that red, blue, and green obsidian is all fake? Your "pore" is spelled pour. gees

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

​@@markrouse2416 It's not all fake, but the natural stuff does not look like this. You can see from the raw form that it's folded and poured, not a natural formation out of the ground.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Glass decorative objects including spheres made in molds are also on the market and worth far less because they don't acheive the same patterning effect. This way is to mimic how cutting large pieces of natural material would look. You can't create that cut effect in a mold.

[@privatesector0422]

These guys certainly have a lot of balls

[@pertinaciousD]

That looks like a hell of a skill, and a massive health hazard.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

They had the correct types of masks on so as to not breath in the dust. As long as they are careful about that, they should be fine.

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

​@@ANPC-pi9vuyou never worked with masks did you .... They always leak ......

[@coco805]

yeah, who needs eyes right?@@ANPC-pi9vu

[@avenuex3731]

Just another day at the silicosis factory. You know it’s bad when these guys aren’t wearing sandals but are wearing respirators

[@mersenniusprime]

I know that third world safety standards...aren't, but watching those two at the beginning with the foot dicer 9000 wearing simple masks and woven gloves made me very uncomfortable. Even the ones wearing respirators almost certainly don't have easy access to replacement filters. I presume they spend their depressingly short lives pulling glass out of their skin and eyes and coughing. I respect their work ethic, but holy hell. You would probably have a longer life expectancy in a smallpox factory.

[@kode4420]

That's what the fans are for. Duh. 😂

[@extended_e]

IRONY is that safety wouldnt necesarily decrease factory output, correct kind of optimization would allow increase in profit and safety

[@mattropolis99]

Don't worry - the respirators are using fake 3M filters they've been making in China for years. I'm sure they'll be fine (google fake 3M filters if you to read some real-life horror stories).

[@NoHouseMouse]

Common name of the man-made material is Smelted Quartz, also Cherry Quartz. It is not a natural volcanic glass, or a natural quartz, or a natural crystal formation. It is not a crystallized formation. Very pretty red and gold swirls in clear glass. Used for jewelry and carvings. You rarely see a jeweler missing fingers. Lapidary saws are diamond dust edged tools. People won't be losing hands and fingers working so close to these kind of blades - you'd have to hold your hand against it on purpose to get an abrasion, not a cut. Smelted quartz, a glass, is silica, "commonly found in nature as quartz" and "In many parts of the world, silica is the major constituent of sand." Utilized by many plants, including rice, most grasses, and also by some animals. so no, this process is not polluting the planet, or making dust that will be getting into the food chain and working it's way into our food. That's plastics. Ignorance begets stupidity. (There really is no excuse for posting ignorant comments when you can ask questions online and research to find answers.) However I do not know what is added to produce the red and yellow/gold coloring. Possibly "adding selenium (Se) for the red" color. Many colors are possible using many different chemicals, but because red is "associated with life-generating energy (the sun, blood, and fire)-and is the color of celebrations and prosperity" that is the material we see most often. It is very likely the tailings are collected and recycled into the another mass like the one we see here. There's too much of it for them to throw away, and being glass, they should just be able to melt it down again. Sellers sell this and all glass as "obsidian" because that is the "industry standard" practice. Ask a single seller to change their wording to accurate descriptions, and they believe their product stops selling and people buy from others instead of them. Both buyers and sellers are to blame for the continued misuse of names. If you purchase, you should research first. If you sell, be responsible and honest. If you're not in China, don't overgeneralize an entire country of people based on common practices of many sellers. Grow up.

[@cw4608]

I had no idea there were so many fortune tellers in the world it would require a crystal ball factory to keep up with demand.

[@branni6538]

Insanity.

[@sunitafisher4758]

🌸 I didn’t think this was a thing lol

[@anlemeinthegame1637]

Who could have predicted this? LOL. Also, some of their techniques remind me of flint knapping for stone tools of ancient days.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Lol. They are decorative objects to many people. There are also metaphysical new age beliefs about such objects that makes for great marketing. Most are too stupid to realize this is man made glass and will think it was forged in the earth and thus carries some innate spiritual power. I respect the hustle. If those people really could sense spiritual energies they describe they'd know the difference, wouldn't they. Larpers pay a premium to live in fantasy.

[@daviddwight5745]

Because you don’t have the “gift”

[@wapartist]

Id like a slab of that for a table. How awesome would that be!

[@diGritz1]

Had the very same thought. Balls are good too though....... I guess.

[@wapartist]

100% would be incredible. Even a small one

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Agreed. Note that this is actually man made glass, not real obsodian, so the waste doesn't matter as it just gets melted back down and added to the next batch eventually. They did a good job imitating the consistency of obsidian, though. Good quality fancy glass for decor.

[@thomasriddle8877]

your toes won't think it's awesome lol

[@Victor-wg8hq]

Its not actually volcanic rock lmao. The Easter egg in the video is the 1 clear crystal ball they show being worked. They make huge kettle of molten glass. Then they pour out all out on the ground to harden. Ive never seen crystal clear volcanic rock before have you(easter egg)!

[@Mike__B]

Makes sense, seeing what they're cutting in the beginning just looks like molten glass that's been poured out and it folds layers on top of each other. Also explains why they weren't too careful with any waste chipping, as they'll just throw it all back into a furnace later and remelt it.

[@941water]

It's not actually an Easter egg LMAO it's glass

[@annekabrimhall1059]

I still want to see more

[@Victor-wg8hq]

@941water no shit lol I'm referring to the one crystal ball, the only clear ball they show in the video being worked on in polishing machines. Tbh lol I really thought it was real volcanic rock at 1st

[@peterstratten3087]

Perhaps it is just a name they us to describe “molten” Can you imagine the embarrassment to us if they intentionally have lied

[@CoyleTools]

How do the guys at 4:30 still have all their eyes and fingers?!?

[@jurgenhissen]

Ah.. this is the trick: when a guy loses his eyes or fingers, you just get a new guy. Company saves money.

[@slotripper]

New guy

[@drewfuller6194]

To answer both of your questions. The wheel is just a grinder, not a cutter. So they may lose a few mm of skin if they touch the wheel too hard. Vision safety is the cooler explanation of the two. What it is, is that they are AAAAAASHIN. So they have built in safety squints. So, not nearly as unsafe, as one might think.

[@kode4420]

Because they're balls are so big and heavy it keeps them safe. 😂

[@rytramprophet843]

looks like a lot of hard work. I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into things like this in poorer countries with less modern industries.

[@SwiftNuts]

Ah yes a bowling ball farm.

[@mho...]

..... now i want to see you bowl with a glass ball 😅

[@cadthunkin]

All the flint knappers out there are drooling over the scraps.

[@scottprather5645]

They know it's not volcanic glass that's an intentional misrepresentation

[@fjellt]

If I worked there, on day one I would end up losing more than one finger. I got an anxiety attack watching the guys shape the balls with saw blades.

[@croiners4166]

He’s good!

[@jamesyoungquist6923]

Don't forget the safety squints. Maybe there is something to be said about workers unions demanding safer conditions...

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

They def need some goggles. Glad these craftspeople are wearing masks and heavy duty gloves at least.

[@stevewebber707]

I'm not going to say they were always being safe, but abrasive saws for cutting stone aren't usually as dangerous to fingers as a wood saw. The material actually cutting is microscopic abrasive, rather than bigger steel teeth. I am far more nervous watching a butcher cutting meat on a band saw.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

That's some dangerous work that takes a lot of practice. I hope those masks are strong enough to keep the glass dust out.

[@noturfather1106]

Its not

[@geoglyphic540]

Can you say silicosis?

[@colinbateman8233]

Well I enjoyed watching the process and appreciate the skill to create

[@kay-vo6cs]

Whatever it is the guy using the saw to round the glass looks totally unsafe. I'm surprised he hasn't lost an arm or hand or his life!

[@kitb4549]

Also I wonder how many blind ex-employees live around the factory?

[@logicalemotion]

It sorta looks like there's a piece of rubber or something flexible in front of the blade, that you have to press on quite hard to bend enough to get in contact with the actual cutting part. it's not *safe*, but it looks like it might take some doing in order to progress from a smaller cut to getting your fingers lopped off.

[@jamesbrown6841]

The safe part is what makes things made in America expensive.

[@martinwinther6013]

You didnt see the previous worker..

[@martinwinther6013]

@@jamesbrown6841 extreme profitmargins and CEO-salaries that could the wage for 10000 average employees, inflated housingprices is what makes it expensive.

[@GPDIY]

That was a big sirloin steak at the beginning.😂

[@coloradostrong]

Yasss! A giant steak or roast beef! You beat me to it! A giant steak covered in salt LOL

[@jasonalmendra3823]

I thought it was a brontosaurus steak from the Flintstones.

[@MegaJohnson12]

I think is pretty amazing that they still have all of their fingers and not needing any hearing protection.

[@markrouse2416]

Cutting is done by grinding with the notches that are there to aid in cooling.

[@stellviahohenheim]

no eye protection either

[@greatplainsman3662]

What?!!!

[@simplerway489]

Those glasses would have made beautiful tables and countertop

[@zorosenpai2224]

So this is how the Namekians made the dragon balls

[@JS-zb1vv]

I want to see the process to make the huge piles of glass

[@mho...]

ever went to a bakery?! "molten" glass is like dough!, can be folded & formed freely!

[@JS-zb1vv]

@@mho... just never saw a huge pile of molten glass! Dough yes plenty.

[@troyfrei2962]

So what is the cost? is there a website?

[@ieatcaribou7852]

It be just as cool watching them heat and pouring the glass on the ground (cause we all know it’s man made dyed glass, not volcanic. If it was natural they’d scoop up all of the scraps and sell it for huge money. Still pretty neat.

[@chrisallen2005]

Maybe that was not part of the video on purpose. Keeping you in suspense for Part 2. Duh?

[@johnwick-ii6il]

So why not pour it into round molds ? or at least something in the general shape of the finished product. It would save countless hours of work and waste.

[@davegrier523]

Its a conspiracy theory. Always easier than educating ones self! LOL@@johnwick-ii6il

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

​@@johnwick-ii6il That would ruin the patterning. What you are describing is also made for far lower prices and is mot usually as impressive to look at.

[@wallyvanveen1211]

Awesome piece of information. THANK YOU VERY MUCH COP SADLY WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW thank you.

[@bsiferd]

Imagine a world without these things that I didn’t know that existed until today

[@jimlassiter749]

That saw is an insurance NIGHTMARE...!

[@weiwei861]

It's Shan Xi province in China. There is no volcano there. So the glass should be man made.

[@tonyhanley9458]

Imagine all that powered glass cutting your lungs to bits.

[@mwasilukus]

you can always create a job so you got a Job. Good going!

[@johnscamardo2145]

I would love to have a chess set from the pieces

[@ebutuoy6463]

Lots of sharp shards of glass and glass dust floating around…..surprised nobody’s wearing eye protection.

[@mr-x7689]

These people need to get ear protection gear, and particle masks. Those masks they are using aren't stopping this fine dust from getting in to them. All of them are going to get severe lung issiues in a few years, if not already.

[@davemanone3661]

if they speak up, they will be fired and there will be a line of people, to take their job. and in the U.S. people complain about labor unions, very sad!

[@RobertCro]

​@@davemanone3661In that case it's the peoples fault. They always have the power if they just unite and work together. The United States is a terrible example if you were trying to say they have decent working condition, and people shouldn't complain. It js by far the worst developed country when it comes to workers rights.

[@arcare001]

@@RobertCro I have been working in the United States for more than 40 years. You are pretty full of crap. My last job paid $34/hour, company paid half my retirement, full insurance, excellent employee support, no union. You could quit whenever you wanted. You can choose a crap job if you want but they are not the only jobs out there. Right now auto union is on strike, wants 40% pay increase and one day less work week. That's the way you get your job to move to another country.

[@RobertCro]

@@arcare001 You act as though there quality jobs for everyone. You maybe were lucky, however there are millions of people that are working for greedy corporations that have no interest in paying their employees a fair wage. Capitalism at its core is profit at any cost....shareholders before employees. Never speaking up and fighting back, just leads to more inequality. Just because you are not in the position of the abused worker, does not mean you cannot empathize with them.

[@arcare001]

@@RobertCro Here's the dealio, you make it sound like there's nothing but sweat shops and evil corporations that force children to work under a "company store" scenario here in the US. That is BS. Make good life choices, maintain a professional attitude, work like you have some pride in what you do, be honest. That's all it takes. I've had crap jobs too. I've cleaned thousands dead fish from spillways, cleaned toilets, mopped floors, and did dangerous jobs for little pay. That didn't stop me from finding a better job, BUT, I always found my next better job before I quit my crap job. Anybody saying the US is the worst hellhole for workers is lying or stupid. Otherwise there wouldn't have been an estimated 20,000,000+ illegal aliens that came here for a better life and 250,000 more per month right now! Nobody from the US is going to the Congo to work in the cobalt mines or any of the real hellholes in the world because the US is a hellhole for workers. As for abused workers, there are laws governing that and departments of the federal government dedicated to closing down employers that do that. Here's a little wisdom for life... nobody entering the workforce for the first time gets to be CEO. Do your job, do it the best you can, look to better your position, and stop bitching and whining. You'll do fine.

[@Thedaleb1]

How does one get involved in the crystal ball making business?

[@henrytshabalala527]

Wow ❤ lovely stones ,beautiful

[@martinwinther6013]

I didnt know I wanted one, but I want one ;)

[@df6580]

Where can I buy one of these?

[@TKs3DPrints]

shame no subtitles to go with this explaining what and how and where etc. like i would love to know where the glass came from volcanic or man made etc. i love watching artisan skills so much to learn from them.

[@TKs3DPrints]

though i do think they should be wearing way better safety equipment especially the correct facemasks. all that glass dust laying about drying out getting into the air and there lungs can imagine there lungs are shredded to hell. :(

[@michelebriere9569]

Looks like a big piece of Turkish Delight.

[@Earthismadeoflayers]

The magic ball shrinker machine at the end! 🤣 On a serious note though, thats clearly really hard work, constant controlled heavy lifting and manoeuvring, and so bloody dangerous I'd be amazed anyone lasting more than a couple months without serious accidents just from fatigue itself. I hope they are paid very well and looked after should they lose a hand or eye.

[@andrejshamin1452]

Очень красивый материал. Вулканический или нет, не так важно. Важно, что требуется много труда, что б изготовить сферу.

[@1-AB]

I’m a Russian and what this man said is true

[@andrejshamin1452]

@@1-AByes, thanks

[@johncameron4194]

Wonderful color

[@richardjohnson8009]

that hammer action was nice

[@seepage2184]

This is amazing to me.

[@joshjosh1386]

woooow, it's like a glass!!! nature is a full of wonder...

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Sorry, this is man made slag glass, not real volcanic glass. It is still besutiful and takes skill to make, though. Real red obsidian would be rusty tones and opaque because it would be colored with iron oxide, where as vibrant translucent reds require rarer elements like gold. That's why red glass is more expansive than other colors of glass.

[@JohnDoe-es5xh]

Beautiful material. Looks and sounds like vulcanic glass.

[@Kevin-xi6ts]

Wouldn’t they break when they hit the pins???

[@pathanshajahan4177]

Beautiful 🌹🌹🌹

[@johnvogler5335]

This worker must have the worst of luck. Just punishing the glass. 😆

[@chl2779]

잘게 자르는 것도 좋지만............... 작은 식탁도 만들어 보시고, 큰 구슬 중앙에 구멍을 뚫은 후 작은 전구를 넣어 켜 보면 환성적일듯. 궤도에 구슬들을 넣어 다양한 전구로 예술도 창작할 수도.

[@philthycat1408]

Best about the spoil heap. It can be shovelled back into the volcano .

[@mho...]

pff screw the crystal ballz! i want a table made from a slice of this folded glass 0:15 ! this looks great!

[@maynornoamanlopezhernand-gj2ug]

Buen trabajo, todo está en la tierra,,❤ Las maravillas

[@bfarm44]

It’s cool and all but no way is it volcanic glass you can stop with that line it’s just molten glass out of a vat used to be plenty of it behind Anchor Glass in Killingly Ct before the closed and it got turned into a mall

[@user-ez9ex8hx6v]

Thank you good video I want to learn about spheres

[@dozer1642]

The shape of a giant salami. Lol

[@ricki-bobby]

Chinese craftsmanship #1

[@ronaldnoll3247]

Hearing protection or safety glasses are not required in such companies?

[@cherriethomas9538]

I want one!

[@josephnulley6808]

Amazing......

[@terriem3922]

Where are the respirators and eye protection? Now I don't want one.

[@jurgenhissen]

ikr. And it's glass their working with. The guys at 4:30 - no eye or hearing protection working on grinding wheels all day. jfc. All the people 'admiring the skill of the workers' should be condemning the apathy of the business owner. How many of these workers have become disabled and just simply replaced?

[@marbleman52]

@@jurgenhissen ...Yep...endless supply of labor ready to work in even the most dangerous jobs with little to no health laws.

[@slocoast5]

Goku would be jealous they have all the Dragon Balls.

[@IAMMEDUSA]

So beautiful 😍

[@ragavireddy570]

Does anyone know where it is made and how we can contact the person who sells/makes these?

[@robertgroff2105]

Can you imagine having to go to work every day and do that?

[@user-oj3st2sq7v]

I didn't know how bowling balls are made 😂

[@kevinklein284]

That looks like some part of animal organs

[@Peachy08]

Osha would have a field day at this place! I can only imagine how many fingers have been lost in this place😮

[@dougarmsworthy9240]

They use diamond blades, they will not cut your fleash very easily.

[@extended_e]

Scary to think conditions of their lungs. One word only, silicosis.

[@jamesrakestraw7125]

Do you seal the chance of crystals you chop it up?

[@slob0516]

It's not glass it's condensed slag from metal refining. It's a form of glass I suppose but it's not silica glass.

[@lindamitchell-fox1926]

What does one do with a big glass ball? It’s pretty and looks like a bowling bowl, but I can’t think of what you’d do with it.

[@peteacher52]

A lot of waste. The big marbles are very nice but how about some slabs for highlighting facades of buildings? To add a touch of glass.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

That saw is a fatal accident waiting to happen

[@MarkS-yb1bl]

how about the glass dust seeping in the skin and lungs. Masks will only block some of the dust. All over the clothes. Then the hand close to the abrasive disk. Scary

[@drmosfet]

It makes a large two man chainsaw not look so bad.

[@jonasbuyle1341]

If only Freeza and Goku new they mass produce dragon balls over there. All of the violence and drama could have been avoided.

[@kevinchristensen84]

😆😆I knew it! Knapping IS easier with power tools. Our ancestors would have been able to make much better projectile points, but NO, they insisted on doing everything by hand🤣🤣🤣

[@railroaderreddoor76]

How can i buy a deep red crystal ball? I know its glass but it is beautiful.

[@jamesbell8861]

Where would I buy one of these oversized Spheres ??? 4' tall ish ...

[@edgardargotte3280]

ASI NO ES LA PIEDRA VOLCANICA. YA QUE NO TIENE COLOR ROJO ESO PARECE VIDRIO HASTA POR EL SONIDO AL ROMPER.

[@larrybooth2530]

What is it? Do I need one so I know witch way to go?

[@woodstock001]

Bowling ball with cone trophy ....🤣

[@johnfree2833]

It's fun to watch

[@mathiasbrandes3222]

Where can I buy these? Does anybody have a link?

[@1-AB]

This is so cool

[@hermanturnip3984]

I imagine that they utilized similar giant rotating blades to cut the blocks for the pyramids

[@rodolfomiguelserra]

Todavía creés que las pirámides fueron cortadas en bloques de toneladas por los humanos? Y con sierras como para el marmol? Sierras circulares? Amigo, veo que sigues creyendo que el hombre llegó a la Luna y que Papá Noel existe!

[@joem80003]

I think they are great craftsmen and the work they do, they might be setting siliceous but if there's a demand for it they will do it or someone else will

[@dickdastardly5534]

I notice they’re wearing FPM PPE the risk from dust/silica must be really high. And I bet there is much health and Safety regulations to protect them and their lives.

[@Catastrophic-hk3mh]

I bet those chunks are sharp

[@davidhensley76]

What kid says, "When I grow up I'm going to invent a crystal ball polisher,"?

[@gerry343]

A lot of balls!

[@wolfdave6175]

I sure would love to have some of that rock. Where is this at and how do I get some of it?

[@MrPLC999]

It's glass, not rock of any kind.

[@onefish26]

🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@marksadventurechannel8471]

go to Quartzite

[@markrouse2416]

I guess that the geniuses that are saying that the red obsidian a.k.a. volcanic glass must think that pink Himalayan salt has food dye in it.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

You are the idiot here. It's not volcanic. It's man made slag with material mixed in like how glass is colored. You can actually imitate Himalayan pink salt. It's just rock salt with mineral contaminants that cause the color. It's not really that special. To get obsidian, aka real volcanic glass in such vibrant translucent reds would be highly unlikely in nature due to the elements required being rarer than those that produce opaque black, gray, green, and dull rusty reds.

[@user-qe5ub4rc6k]

ガラス球だね、これ、っていうか鑑定団で出てきたなこの謎水晶ｗ

[@Sajuuk]

So this is where Saruman got his Palintir from...

[@MmMm-yd4rn]

I've watched too many cooking videos... I-I thought that was a huge chunk of salted meat when I side eyed My screen...

[@johnh539]

Everything about this video is a surprize I didn't that volcanic glass came in such big sizes, far less that there is enough to supply an entire industry. On a personal level I have worked with grinders etc. and the scream they give off is horrendous fortunately that is something we do not get from your video. they must also be itchy constantly with all that glass dust.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

It's not real volcanic glass. It's manmade slag meant to mimic the consistency of obsidian, but in more vivid colors and better clarity than you would normally get from natural deposits. Obsidian can come in a variety of colors depending on what contaminants act as pigments in it. Same with meteor impact glass. The most common range is black to green, or rusty opaque dull reds.

[@framegrace1]

Yeah, is sold by the ton and is realtivelly cheap ($1 to $6 the kilogram). THere are basts amounts from it in mines from old volcanic eruptions. The problem (As you see in the video), is that it has a lot of waste. Is full of cracks and inclusions and to find a nice clear big piece like the ones they use, you have to discrad a lot of material. The bigger the piece, the rarer is to find, so is more expensive. They can sold this pieces 100 ot 1000x the price of the rough material.

[@erick7389]

Looked like a big marble

[@trevtall1094]

All of that powdered glass in the air jeez

[@Kill-Dozer]

Sauron is that you?

[@PerilousPaddy]

Anyone know how I can get some of that spoil heep so I can make some knapped blades?

[@mikegouin8960]

It’s Red. Obsidian!!!

[@trxcummins7388]

This is 100% real I once lived in a volcano for a year

[@fritzthedog007]

3:53 AAAAAAAAGGHHH NOOOOOOO I BROKE MY NECK FROM CRINGING.