Here's a novel concept: 24 diamond-shaped tiles and 6 triangular tiles carry the 6 dominant rainbow colors in every combination (one sample shown at right). Join them so colors meet only their own shades or their neighbors in the spectrum. Patterns emerge as you rearrange the tiles. Illustrated booklet shows many interesting shapes to solve outside the 8½" tray, as well. It's proven to be one of our instant hits for all ages, 5 to adult. All acrylic, for 1 or 2 players. $49

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7 finely crafted hardwood pieces (not tangrams) form 101 fine figures. This puzzle was first published by F.A. Richter in Germany in 1891. We have reconstructed all their original puzzle figures and added a few new ones. In drawstring pouch it's also a fine travel game, for ages 8 to adult. $32

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How cool is this? This solution can easily transform into any tetromino (the 5 shapes made of four squares), also known as Tetris pieces. If old Archie only knew!

This 14-tile dissection is the oldest documented puzzle in the world, and the decipherment of Archimedes' rediscovered manuscript is a hot topic among historical scholars and mathematicians. Also known as the Stomachion, it even made the front page of the New York Times, December 14, 2003. Luminous transparent colors, in a sculpted 7" acrylic tray. Long unanswered:  Just how many ways can this square be solved? On October 31, 2003, Bill Cutler's program found the full answer of 536 distinct solutions. (Read the full story.) How many other convex shapes can the 14 tiles make? Bernd Rennhak in Germany found all 637 solutions. He also found that the set can solve 13 of the 14 tetratan shapes. The permutations are staggering. An amazing fact is that each tile's area is a whole number, based on the square as a 12x12 matrix. Here truly is ancient genius made visible. Some of the tiles' angles have sharp points, so we recommend ages careful 10 to adult.$29

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Nine geometric shapes form imaginative designs and can be used to test for and develop creativity. Black acrylic pieces in their little drawstring pouch are handy to take on trips. Because these are not a puzzle to solve but a tool for creating recognizable images, their use also encourages communication and provides artistic fun for ages 6 to adult. Can you guess? At left, boy with toy boat; at right, a fort. (Shipping discount) $10

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Pentarose is one of our most gorgeous puzzles. Transformed pentagons and sections of stars are the very shapes that fit together without leaving holes. They are based on prototiles discovered by Sir Roger Penrose during research into non-periodic tilings. We've styled it in four luminous acrylic colors in an 11" circular tray, with a small easel included. Recommended for ages 12 to adult. $53

We've found some of the most marvelous books of geometric patterns, with polygons dancing in symmetrical formations that evoke the creative imagination. Left, a big 11"x11" format book, Star Mosaics by Jonathan Quintin, with 30 lavish designs on good paper, each page waiting to be turned into a masterpiece. This 1993 book is sadly out of print now. We may have the last small supply, while they last. Includes teacher's notes on symmetries, tessellations, and further exploration. Because the details are so fine, we recommend for ages 12 to adult. $15