See it in Action:
The Perfect Accessory
“Magic Plasma Wands”
Introducing the perfect accessory to play with your new “Junior Series” Plasma Globe! These “Magic” Plasma Wands light up without any internal power source. Simply hold them close to your “Junior Series” Plasma Globe, and the electrical field of the globe will ignite the plasma inside!
“Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe
New for 2022 8" Junior Pro Plasma Globes
Since we began making plasma globes in 2008, our mission has been to produce large, museum-quality globes at an affordable price. Over the years, though, we have had a significant number of requests for even more affordable globes that would be suitable for casual or younger plasma enthusiasts.
Eventually, we decided to test the waters by making a very limited run of 8-inch globes so we could see if there would be a market for them. We wanted to offer a product that was close to the price range of the mass market globes, but built to the same standards of quality as our large professional models. The result of these initial efforts was our “Emerald Fury Junior” globe, which we released in May of 2020. Customer response was overwhelming, and the success of this globe prompted us to create the “Mark 2 Junior Series” with an expanded line-up of effects. The “Junior Series” globes used the same high-quality gas mixtures as our large professional globes. Because of that, the color and action of the plasma effects were just as attractive as those of the larger models, and they were likewise just as interactive.
The Mark II Junior Series quickly sold out half way through this year but we had already decided to bring our 8” globe offerings to a new level of quality more in line with our professional globes.
“Junior Pro Series” Details
Almost every component of the new Junior Pro globes has been improved over the Junior Series. From the new thicker hand-blown globes right down to the large non-slip feet on the base. Our proprietary gas formulations that create our gorgeous colors and effects didn’t need improvement but we asked Brent, our Florida based engineer, to completely redesign the electronics. The new circuit board is more robust and allows for smoother, more precise control. Like our professional “Museum Series” globes, the plasma effects in our the new “Junior Pro Series” globes can be increased or diminished by an adjustable power switch. This makes the globes much more interactive, allowing you to dial in the exact effects you like best.
We didn’t stop there!
These new globes look fantastic when running in the dark but we felt they also had to be stunning when simply sitting unpowered on a desk or shelf. The bases are now clear coated with a beautiful glossy finish and the redesigned base plate is 3/4” thick with futuristic looking ventilation vents. These changes, combined with the new thicker globe, give the "Junior Pro Series" globes an overall look and feel of fine art.
In addition to updating the globes themselves, we also use digital switching transformers, which are more efficient and can accept both North American and worldwide voltages. The “Junior Pro Series” globes are powered by a 12V 1000ma power supply, which is twice as powerful as the 500ma power supplies used in small consumer plasma globes.
A final note: although we recommend only running your globe while you are around to enjoy it, we have been running several samples of our Junior globes 24/7 for a few months now to prove their longevity, and will continue to run them. Your “Junior Pro Series” globe comes with a limited 180 day warranty exchange period for any globe that fails under normal household usage.
“Genesis Junior” Plasma Effects
Of all our globes, the ”Genesis” series has long been our favorite. With its hues of green, orange, blue and hints of purple, it is easily our most colorful globe. It also strikes a nice balance midway between the slow and relaxed “Tyrian Purple” globes, and the frantic speed-crazed “Emerald Fury.” If you are looking to give a plasma globe as a gift, the “Genesis Junior” globe is a great choice for someone who has only ever seen a regular mass market globe.
Because of the complexity of this effect, we had our doubts that we could be successful in creating a downsized version of the “Genesis” globe, but the Junior version has wildly exceeded our expectations. What the “Genesis Junior” gives up in size, it compensates for by producing color saturation that is more intense than our large professional model.
Starting on the lowest power setting, vibrant green tendrils emanate from the soft orange glow of the center electrode. They are tipped in a nice orange color and wave slowly back and forth in the vacuum. As the power is increased the tendrils multiply and lengthen. Approaching full power increases the speed of the effects and starts to reveal violet tinted white tendrils here and there. A hand or fingers placed on the globe at this point generates very striking white streamers against the contrasting deep green and orange effects. The effect is stunning and you will catch glimpses of fluorescent blue reflected in the glass wall.
As extraordinary as the interactive “Genesis Junior” effects are at high power, we really love this globe on the lowest power setting. Being able to dial it in and watch the slowly swaying Green and Orange light show is a pleasure not to be missed.
Magic Plasma Wands
With double the power of a regular consumer plasma globe, our globes have power to spare. That extra power will come in handy if you want to try any of the fun experiments that are included in your full-color 24-page Owner’s Manual!
Whereas before you would need a fluorescent bulb to do these experiments, we have come up with something even more exciting. In addition to our “Junior Series” globe, we have now released our newly designed plasma-filled “Magic Wands.” We designed the wands as an accessory for our “Museum Series” globes, but our testing found that the Junior globes also have enough power to drive them! The wands interact with our globes and have effects that can rival the globes themselves in beauty. Find out more by visiting our “Magic Wand” product page.
The globe's power knob does have an effect on the “Magic Wands,” so make sure it is turned to high for this type of use.
Important Notes
All of the pictures and videos on our website were taken in near darkness. The descriptions of the effects are based on observations of the globes in the same near darkness. Just as the Northern Lights cannot be seen during the day, our globe’s effects are best viewed in a darkened environment. Increasing levels of ambient light will wash out the effect colors until they almost disappear under full sunlight.
Also, please be aware that no two plasma globes are exactly alike, and there may be variations in color and effect from globe to globe. We test and compare our globes before selecting the one to be used in our presentations as the best overall examples of their series. We make every effort to photograph and present our globes as accurately as possible, but Videos and Photos on this website should be used solely as a guide to what a product should look like, not as an exact representation. Rest assured your plasma globe will be unique and awesome!
Our “Junior Series” globes are made from very strong borosilicate glass, but even so, glass is glass, and thus the globes are not unbreakable. Please keep in mind that even though our “Junior Series” globes may find their way into the hands of younger Plasma Art enthusiasts, they are not toys! Children do not have the same coordination and motor skills as adults, and can possibly damage the globes with their unbridled enthusiasm. The results of breakage pose no greater danger than that from a dropped glass of milk, but adult supervision is strongly advised to prevent any accidents from happening.
“Junior Pro Series” Plasma Globes
⚠️ Important Notes ⚠️
All of the pictures and videos of our plasma effects were taken in near darkness. The descriptions of the effects are based on observations of the globes in the same near darkness. Just as the Northern Lights cannot be seen during the day, our globe’s effects are best viewed in a darkened environment. Increasing levels of ambient light will wash out the effect colors until they almost disappear under full sunlight.
Please be aware that no two plasma globes are exactly alike, and there may be variations in color and effect from globe to globe. We test and compare over a dozen globes before selecting the globe to be used as the best overall example of the series. We make every effort to photograph and present our globes as accurately as possible, but Videos and Photos on this website should be used solely as a guide to what a product should look like, not as an exact representation. Rest assured your plasma globe will be unique and awesome!
Our plasma globes are made from temperature-hardened, laboratory-strength blown glass. Because the glass is hand blown, it is normal for it to have some imperfections. Upon close inspection, you may find small bubbles in the glass or minor scuffs. These imperfections will be completely invisible under normal operating conditions (i.e. a darkened room).
I was afraid that it may arrived damaged. But it did not because of the distance it traveled. The unit is just I wanted and it is AMAZING! The unit is very commercially built and designed. I feel I have something more than a toy. Thank you very much. As I show it off I will be promoting your business. I am glad I found you on the internet.
I bought my new Plasma ball because my old one stopped working. Found out on a hunch it was the transformer that burned out. Can you send me a replacement 12v transformer?
I never forgot the wonder of seeing my first plasma ball at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. At the time, of course, they were virtually unobtainable. They were "one-off" creations.
Today, cheap, mass-produced plasma balls are available at novelty stores, etc. for less than the price of a meal.
The Aurora Junior Pro Plasma Globe series is in a league of it's own. The Junior Pro is not merely a shadow of the Exploratorium plasma globe that captured my imagination. The performance is breathtaking, and needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Tapping on the substantial borosilicate glass globe you can feel the superior quality of the design compared to the novelty store plasma balls.
What is amazing to me is that Aurora is able to deliver the Exploratorium quality and experience at what I feel is an incredibly affordable price point.
The joy and satisfaction I get from my Genesis Junior Pro more than justifies my choice. I couldn't be happier, thank you.
Pretty discharge effect on the globe, green colour is paler than I expected but that seems to be a fairly normal variation from the stock photos. 4 stars mainly because the globe has a blue haze to the whole effect which makes it quite different from the advertised pictures. I really like the adjustable power knob and wish that other plasma balls came with this feature. If Aurora sold the circuit board separately I would be temped to order some to re-wire other plasma balls.
Photo and video makes the ball look redder than it is to the eye, for some reason in bright light it looked blue on the video. Couldn't upload the video to the review page because it "took to long", odd.
Otherwise... I ordered a green globe from the UK via a re-shipping company but it did not turn on on arrival. No warranty as it was shipped overseas (as expected) but the company kindly provided a replacement circuit board for the cost of shipping which was much more manageable than the original export cost! Initially tried troubleshooting the circuit board with a local electrician and found the (nigh-impossible to find a replacement) flyback transformer was likely the culprit). It is unfortunate that Aurora Design isn't familiar with the electronics themselves but if it isn't economical to do anything but import the circuit boards that makes sense. I do hope that the bulbs and gas mixtures are being made in Canada at least, otherwise what is the point?
So I bought a plasma lamp from Aurora. The lightshow was underwhelming—roughly 50% of the activity of the ones shown on his site. Jerry agreed my globe was "on the soft side" and claimed that this "comes down to personal taste." Who the heck wants a "on the soft side" lamp, Jerry?
Anyway, Jerry's solution was to charge me an additional ~$25 to send me another replacement globe from "a previous series" that he "(doesn't) trust" the build quality of and ask me to install it myself. Hmmmmmm, is this a good solution or would a better solution be for me to mail back this less-than-stellar lamp, you covering the shipping costs, and then you send me a new lamp that looks like the ones I see on your website and in reviews? Nope, Jerry won’t do that.
In fact, when I suggested that he probably shouldn’t be asking customers to repair their Aurora products themselves and if he would please just send me the replacement globe no cost, his response was, “Sorry, I thought I was doing you a favor (by offering to send a repayment globe with you paying the shipping). What kind of answer is that? No, Jerry. You’re customers are doing you a favor by purchasing your products.
If you're considering buying one of Jerry’s lamps, know that if you end up getting one of his--my own words--“runt of the litter” lamps, there’s very little he’s willing to do to correct the problem. He’ll just keep telling you his website states, “no two plasma globes are exactly alike,” which it does. What a great--and again my own words--“you’ll take what I give you” disclaimer.
Also, be aware that, although Jerry and the Aurora site would have you believe his lamps are made in Canada, THEY ARE NOT MADE IN CANADA. They're actually mass-produced in China. It's true. Look at the bottom of the lamp where “Manufactured In China” is stamped into the plastic. I can only assume that Jerry has less control over quality standards as a result and this is why I received a bum lamp. I’m the collateral damage.
Finally, so you know my complaint is legit, the attached pics show the lamp I received at 100% power vs. four other customer's lamps also at 100% power. I sent these pics and the videos I grabbed the screenshots from to Jerry. Clearly my lamp is the loser here.
For those of your interested in the whole story we have posed the entire email thread.
Hey, Jerry.
I posted my first review on Judge.me for you to respond to, but it’s not there.
Do you know why?
Awaiting your response and thanks.
________________________________________
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 10:20:38 AM
To: John
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Do what you will John. We believe that all customers should post unbiased reviews and we respond with our side of things including the back and forth messages. Let the customers decide!
Jerry
Aurora Plasma Design
From: John
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 6:40 AM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hey, Jerry.
Hope you had a good weekend.
I'd much rather post a good review for Aurora rather than negative one. I wanted to ask again if you'll send me the replacement globe no charge.
I have a good and large reputation within the FB group(s) novelty lamp collecting communities where I post reviews and very activly participate in discussions.
I over 350,000 Google reviews.
Finally, I have 7 million + views on YouTube video channel where I post video reivews of things I collect.
After looking at all the other Aurora lamps reviewed, I feel my lamp is the 'the runt of the litter.'
Every Genesis Pro lamp video I looked at looked better than mine. Every one of them.
Can we fix this?
Jerry, if you send me the replacement globe that looks similar to what I’ve seen, I'll leave positive reviews across the board.
What do you think?
Awaiting your response and thanks.
John C
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: March 15, 2024 6:25 PM
To: John
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hi John,
If your globe was defective we would do that but yours is fine as per our clearly stated standards.
Jerry
Aurora Plasma Design
From: John C
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 2:08 PM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hey, Jerry.
I own and repair old-school pinball machines (see pics) so I can replace the globe. I just don’t feel it’s a good practice to ask your customers to do so.
A better option might be to send your customers a different lamp has already been repaired at your shop and then have them return the original one.
John C
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 3:29:43 PM
To: John C
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
John,
We will do what I offered. Having read your response, I am not convinced that you are the type of person that would feel comfortable changing the globe and that’s OK. I fear that you may end up with a broken globe and we won’t be offering any further assistance.
Jerry
From: John C
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 11:26 AM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hey, Jerry.
Does this mean you are not willing to send me the replacement globe no cost?
Thanks.
John C
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 1:14:32 PM
To: John C
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hi John,
Sorry, I thought I was doing you a favor. Your globe is well within the range of acceptable effects. Our site clearly states that no two globes are exactly alike. Some have very tight numerous tendrils where other have larger softer tendrils but fewer of them. We have many customers who own more than one globe and some have told us their preferences. It basically comes down to personal taste.
Jerry
Aurora Plasma Design
From: John C
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 9:28 AM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Jerry, you’re asking me to pay an additional ~$20 on the $200 I’ve already spent on a globe that you yourself agree “is on the soft side.”
Also, you’re asking me to take a new globe apart and put it back together again with a lesser quality replacement globe. This is not really something a customer should be asked to do, in my opinion, but I think I can manage it.
Will you please just send me the globe no charge?
If so, my mailing address is:
Also, just FYI, UPS dropped the original package off at my door. They did not knock or ask for a delivery confirmation signature.
Awaiting your response and thanks much.
John C
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 10:40:19 AM
To: John C
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hi John,
I would agree that your globe is video shows a globe that is on the soft side. It likely started out this way compared to some others but time used also makes a big difference. We have some filled globes from the previous series. They are not hand blown or as thick but have the same gas mixtures as the Junior Pro series. I have attached pictures that explain how to change a globe. It is pretty simple but care should be taken. The machine made globes are really the same as a “Fat Albert” incandescent bulb and that is the standard for all mass market globes. They are strong but I don’t trust them as much as our handblown 8” globes which are three times as thick. One thing not mentioned in the pictures is that sometimes the wire from the transformer will drag out some of the steel wool when the globe is removed from the base. This should be pushed back up into the center ball with a pencil of long rod, otherwise you will have effects radiating from the shaft as well well as the center ball.
If you would like to try this we will give you a globe but you would have to pay the freight. We pay UPS around $25- $30 but only charge $15.00. I think most people are so used to the cheap Amazon freight charges that they would think we are trying to make money on the freight if we charged the actual cost so we subsidize it. In your case you are going to have to pay the actual cost which will likely be about $20 or a little more. The globe alone will be smaller than a complete globe with base but UPS still has to send the truck to your house so the cost doesn’t go down much.
Let me know if you would like to do this.
Jerry
Aurora Plasma Design
From: John C
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2024 6:00 AM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hey, Jerry.
Thanks for all the info.
My bad on the 1,000 hr. break-in time. I thought that applied to all Aurora plasma lamps, but if it doesn’t, that means that my lamp will not improve over time as I thought it would. ☹
Also, I did also watch your website video that “explains globes in various lighting situations” before I purchased the lamp. I actually knew this already as I own four older plasma lamps but I wanted to give Aurora a try.
Per your request, I’ve attached another video taken in a more darkened room (see attachment).
Also, below I’m inserting screenshots of the four different other Aurora customers’ “Genesis Junior Pro” lamps from the videos I sent in my first email.
Please note...these are all “Genesis Junior Pro” lamps rather than the larger models.
For comparison, I’m attaching three screenshots of my lamp at full power.
I honestly feel the other customers’ lamps show a much greater amount of activity and color than mine.
Your thoughts?
John Cl
From: Aurora Plasma Design
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 6:29:44 PM
To: John Clegg
Subject: RE: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hi John,
Please send another video taken in a more darkened situation. Ambient light has a huge effect on the globes brightness and quickly washes out anything happening inside the globe as the light levels rise. Your globe doesn’t look bad to me but I am sure it will look much better in a new video.
You might want to watch this video from our website which explains globes in various lighting situations. https://youtu.be/d9ZAfMi76qI
You mention 1,000 hours to mature. That information only applies to the Promethean Fire globe which is much larger and 5 times more expensive than a JUNIOR PRO globe. This globe’s gas mixture is less stable than some and the explanation serves as reminder that the effects will change as time goes on. The 8” globes have 268 cu in of volume while 15” globes have 1767 cu in of volume. The effects are created by high energy exciting the gases which also degrades them in the process much like monitors fade with time.
We assume that the large globes last much longer than the small globes because of the much greater volume of gases that are affected. In short, the more a globe is energized the quicker it will degrade. That is why we suggest that the globes not be powered on when no one is around to enjoy them. I have attached a picture and video of our oldest globe (15”) that we still run 24/7.
Jerry
Aurora Plasma Design
From: John C
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 9:38 AM
To: Aurora Plasma Design
Subject: Re: Hi John, what do you think of your “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe?
Hi. I received my “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe in good condition. Thank you.
Before leaving the review you’ve requested, I decided to read several other customer’s Aurora Plasma reviews on the website, Judge.me.
All of the reviews were very positive, but as I was reading through them and looking at other customer’s pics and videos of their “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe, I noticed that mine seems to have significantly less activity than the ones I see being reviewed.
I understand that each lamp is different, and I also understand that the light show will become fully mature with ~1,000 hours of use, but with about 400 hours use on mine already, I haven’t seen much change. It appears to have 30%-50% less activity than the brand new out-of-the box lamps I saw being reviewed.
I wonder if something can be done about this as I suspect my particular globe will never reach the same level of activity as the ones in the reviews.
For your review, here are the other customer’s “Genesis Junior Pro” Plasma Globe video reviews:
Link to the “Genesis Junior Pro” product itself on Judge.me: https://judge.me/reviews/auroraplasmadesign.myshopify.com/products/genesis-junior-plasma-globe
Video of another customer’s “Genesis Junior Pro”: https://vimeo.com/687012212
Video of another customer’s “Genesis Junior Pro”: https://vimeo.com/916726382
Video of another customer’s “Genesis Junior Pro”: https://youtu.be/zYZic0Ui_C8
Video of another customer’s “Genesis Junior Pro”: https://vimeo.com/554994221
Also, I’ve attached a video of my new “Genesis Junior Pro” (see attachment).
Awaiting your response and thanks much.
John C
A friend of mine got the really big one. I have no room for it but the junior fits perfectly on my desk. Very cool and colorful.
This thing is gorgeous, I've never seen a plasma globe do the things this one can do, very nice product. Great customer service as well,
Anyone in the market for a new 8” plasma sphere will not be able to find better quality or more unique beauty than the Genesis Junior Pro models. The base is substantial and solid. The sphere looks and feels like it came from the top shelf of a high end laboratory equipment retailer. The plasma activity is complex and beautiful. Even the power supply cord stands alone in appearance and quality. The Junior Pro and genesis mixture once experienced first person will leave a shadow on every other Amazon eBay mall plasma ball you have seen or will see. It is as good as the videos. Better. The price is excellent and I would pay more for this build quality.
You will not regret choosing to add an Aurora Plasma Design plasma sphere to your life.