Black Crystal Gazing Ball, 3 Inch (80mm)

A dark scrying surface. Black glass shows almost no reflection, so your gaze settles into the dark instead of catching on highlights. It's the same idea as a black scrying mirror, in sphere form.

3 inch table size. Large enough to hold a soft gaze during a seated session, small enough to cup in both hands.

Crystal glass with 10% quartz. An even, glossy black all the way around, polished smooth.

• Diameter: 3 inches (80mm)
• Material: crystal glass made with 10% quartz; not natural obsidian or solid quartz
• Color: black
• Shipping weight: 2.1 lb
• Stand: not included
• Maker: AzureGreen

Scrying is the practice of gazing into a surface, such as water, a mirror, or a crystal ball, until images or impressions come up. Dark surfaces have their own long line in it: the British Museum holds a polished obsidian mirror long associated with the Elizabethan scholar John Dee, though the connection to Dee comes from a later owner rather than from Dee's own writings.

A black ball asks you to look into darkness rather than light. Many practitioners reach for black when a question is about something hidden, for shadow work, and for spirit contact. AzureGreen, the maker, suggests it for scrying, divination, and evocation, the practice of calling on a spirit.

1. Set the ball on a stand or a folded dark cloth in a dim room where you won't be interrupted.
2. Place one candle off to the side, not in front, so the surface stays dark with no bright reflection.
3. Bring a question to mind, or simply an open mind, and let your eyes soften and slightly unfocus.
4. Notice any mist, color, shapes, or images without chasing them. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty at first.
5. Write down what came up before you look away; meaning often comes clearer on paper.

Trust what you notice, even when it's faint.

• Black Obsidian Scrying Mirror, 8 Inches: natural obsidian in a flat mirror, if you'd like to try both shapes.
• Black Crystal Gazing Ball, 50mm (1.75 Inch): the palm-size version, easy to carry to a circle.
• Black Witch Candle, 8 Inches: one low light to set beside the ball during a session.
• Frankincense Tears Granular Incense, 1.5 oz: resin smoke to open the space before you sit down to scry.
• Black Velveteen Bag, 4 x 5.5 Inches: a soft bag to keep the ball wrapped between sessions.

Is this black crystal ball real obsidian?

No. This black crystal ball is crystal glass made with 10% quartz, not obsidian. Obsidian is natural volcanic glass and rarely comes as a flawless 3 inch sphere at this price. If you'd like natural obsidian for scrying, our black obsidian scrying mirrors are the real stone, in a flat mirror shape.

Does it come with a stand?

No, the ball ships on its own. A ring stand sized for 80mm (3 inch) balls holds it well, and a folded dark cloth works too while adding a dark backdrop. Our flower and Bastet stands are made for smaller 50mm balls, so they're too small for this one.

Is a black or clear crystal ball better for scrying?

Neither is better; they feel different. A clear ball gives you light and depth to look into, while a black ball gives almost no reflection, so there's less for the eye to catch on. Many scryers start with whichever draws them and later keep one of each for different questions.

Can beginners scry with a black crystal ball?

Yes. Beginners often do well with black because the dark surface cuts down on distracting reflections. Keep sessions short and regular, use low light with the candle off to the side, and don't expect full scenes right away. Early sessions often bring mist, color, or a feeling, and that's a normal start.

How do I cleanse and care for it?

Wipe the ball with a soft, dry cloth to remove fingerprints, and cleanse it with smoke or moonlight if that's part of your practice. Glass can chip if it's dropped, so store it on a stand or wrapped in cloth, and keep it away from sunny windows, since glass spheres can focus light.