Spheres
Spheres are the major units of currency used on Roshar.
Appearance
They are made of small gemstones that are set inside glass spheres, that are typically the size of a thumbnail.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Most spheres are 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
Value
The gemstones come in three denominations; chips, marks and broams. There are 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 containing different types of gems are worth the same amount.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Usage
If left outside during a highstorm, spheres are infused with Stormlight. Over time, all of the Stormlight will escape leaving the sphere dun, so it ceases to glow.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content Dun spheres are worth the same as infused onesCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content but since their glow 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 exchange their dun spheres with moneylenders for infused ones or pay a fee to have their spheres infused in the moneychanger's secure baskets.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content In addition to currency, infused spheres are often used as a source of light, since they are much cheaper and more reliable then candles and lanterns.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content All of 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 |