Spheres
Spheres were the major units of currency used on Roshar.
They were made of small gemstones that were set inside glass spheres, that were typically the size of a thumbnail.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Most spheres where also flattened on one side, to keep them from rolling away when set down.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
The gemstones came in three denominations; chips, marks and broams. There were five chips to a mark, and four marks to a broam.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Chips barely have any glow at all, since they are just a sliver of gem, but marks glow almost as bright as a candle.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Only nine of the ten Polestones are used in the spheres,Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content but it is as of yet unknown whether smokestones or heliodor are the gem not used, or the reason for the tenth gem's absence. Spheres also have five levels of value, meaning several spheres conaining different types of gems are worth the same amount.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
If left outside during a highstorm, spheres would be infused with Stormlight. Over time, all of the Stormlight escaped leaving it dun, so it ceases to glow. Since the glow of spheres is what proves that they aren't counterfeit, people are often suspicious of those spending dun spheres. They will call in a moneylender to judge their authenticity.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Instead of just leaving their spheres out in a highstorm, people often pay moneylenders a fee to have their spheres infused in the moneylender's secure baskets. In addition to currency, infused spheres are often used as a source of light, since they are much more reliable then candles and lanterns. The all the spheres in the treasury of Kharbranth are used in the Palanaeum as a source of light, since the Palanaeum is the most secure place in Kharbranth.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Relative Value
Below is a table of sphere values in terms of diamond chips, the lowest valued sphere. It is not yet comprehensive, and there is another unnamed level of sphere value.
| Gem type | Chips | Marks | Broams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 1 diamond chip | 5 diamond chips | 20 diamond chips |
| Garnet | 5 diamond chips | 25 diamond chips | 100 diamond chips |
| Sapphire | 25 diamond chips | 125 diamond chips | 500 diamond chips |
| Emerald | 50 diamond chips | 250 diamond chips | 1000 diamond chips |