The complete guide
Choosing a Tree of Life Crystal Ball, A Practical Buyer's Guide
The gift problem this solves
Some people already have everything practical. A small display piece is one answer, and this one is also a light.
This guide covers what is inside the ball, how the light base works, how it is powered and how to look after it.
How the engraving actually works
The design is not printed on the ball. The listing says the 3D tree of life is engraved inside the 8 cm ball by laser, and that it will not fade or rub off.
In the photos the tree has a trunk, spreading branches and heart-shaped leaves, and it stands on a strip of grass. The outside of the ball is smooth and polished.
There is no wording in the design.
What the light base adds
The ball sits on a silver LED base that lights it from below. In the photos the tree shows white against the clear ball and picks up the color of the light.
The base has a touch switch. Per the listing, the first touch makes the light change colors very slowly, the second makes it change faster, and the third sets it to white and stops the change. The fourth touch gives red, the fifth blue and the sixth green, and the seventh turns it off. Touch and hold the switch for three seconds to turn it off from any mode.
The steady colors are there if you do not want the light to keep changing.
Power, placement and the small practical details
The listing says the base has two power options: three AAA 1.5 V batteries, or a charging cable. A listing photo shows a cable beside the base. Voltage is listed as 5 volts DC.
Batteries are not listed in the package. If this is a gift, have three AAA batteries ready to go with it.
A listing photo marks the ball at 3.15 inches (8 cm) across and the height on its base at 3.9 inches (10 cm). The listing details give 4.13 inches high, which does not match the photo. Item weight is listed at 1.4 pounds.
It is not waterproof. Keep it indoors and dry. The base material is listed as plastic.
Who it suits
The listing says the tree of life stands for growth and hope. It names birthdays, engagements, weddings, bridesmaid gifts, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, anniversaries and Christmas as occasions.
Because there is no wording, the design is not tied to one person or one event.
It is breakable. Think about where it will sit before you buy, especially in a home with small children.
One thing to be clear about
The design is fixed. The Tree of Life engraving is already inside the crystal when it arrives and cannot be changed. No name, date or message can be added.
The gift box includes a wish card, and that is where you can write your own message.
Looking after it
Dust it with the cloth that comes in the box, or another clean, dry, soft cloth. Avoid anything abrasive.
Keep water away from the base.
If it is going into storage, take the batteries out and wrap the ball in a soft cloth.
The short version
An 8 cm K9 crystal ball with a three-dimensional tree of life engraved inside, on a touch-controlled silver LED base that changes colors or holds one steady. It is listed as running on three AAA batteries or a cable, and it comes in a gift box with a wish card and a wipe cloth.
The design is fixed and has no wording. It is not waterproof and it is breakable, so give it a stable indoor spot.