Abstract: A sphere particularly suitable for ball point pens having a core capable of withstanding temperature in excess of 800.degree. C. and a chemically vapor deposited coating on the core, the combined diameter of core and coating ranging from approximately 0.5 to approximately 1 mm in diameter. For example, the core may consist of a metal such as tungsten, nickel, copper or molybdenum; or alternatively the core may consist of a ceramic such as aluminum oxide or graphite. The vapor deposited coating may consist of a metal carbide such as tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide or niobium carbide. Alternatively the coating may consist of a metal boride such as titanium diboride.