A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

"What an awesome design! This truly makes the previous sphere portable. I particularly like the Copper for the health benefits. I'm looking forward to backing another of your successful projects!" -- Anna K.

"This is absolutely beautiful!" -- Cindy L.

Why Trance Jewel?

The original Trance Sphere. 3,057 backers pledged $502,998 to bring it to life!

The trance sphere was a wonderful product that turned out better than anyone expected. The quality of the finish was and still is the benchmark of quality in the industry. Everyone who stops by my desk naturally asks about it and the urge to pick it up and hold it is generally irresistible. I myself find myself rolling the sphere in my hand whenever I'm concentrating on a difficult problem. It really does seem to stimulate my thoughts somehow.

The Trance Sphere in Titanium was a great concentration tool as well.

I feel like my life has noticeably improved with the sphere at my desk. It gets more attention than the cube, acts as concentration tool and is generally just super cool. There was something missing, however. Whenever I wasn't at my desk, I found myself without my trusty spherical companion. It is impractical to take with me, even to meetings because of its shape and size. I needed something more portable.

A tiny 2 cm mini sphere was a little too small for daily use

First, I tried just carrying around the mini sphere, but it wasn't very satisfying at 2 cm in size. It was still a bit uncomfortable to carry, even at that size. With the spinner craze, I tried substituting the sphere with spinners of various types, but they all felt cheap (even solid metal spinners) and uncomfortable compared with the perfect mirror-finish smooth simplicity of the sphere.

I needed to be something that wasn't awkward or overly heavy, but still retained the sphere's magical mirror-smoothness and solid feel. At first, it seemed like a relatively easy task. I carried around everyday objects like stones, other metal shapes and pens, but nothing had the right feel. Nothing else was inducing that sense of concentration that the sphere gives.

We decided to make our own shape. It was time to make something new.

Our first 3D paper mockup of the jewel concept

After dozens of iterations, paper and 3D mockups, we settled on a shape. We struggled with the exact size and shape since we wanted something thin enough to carry around, but we couldn't accept any bends or edges.

Choosing among dozens of curves for the perfect feel

We wanted something we could fit in a wallet, but would feel natural in the hand. Even once we settled on a basic shape, we had variations in the mathematical formula that describes the exact nature of the curves.

The incredible quality and finish on the jewel prototypes shocked us

The finish is so perfect it looks like a drop of liquid copper

A copper prototype profile. It feels perfect in the hand

We settled on what's called an oblate spheroid - basically a flattened sphere. When the prototypes came back, we instantly knew we had what we were looking for: A solid portable sphere replacement that induced that same magical feeling the sphere gave us. In fact, I think the Jewel spheroid feels even better in the hand than the sphere, and the portability is better than expected for daily use.

Slides unnoticed into your pocket

The Jewel even fits in your wallet!

After hundreds of hours of hard work by our whole team, we've reached the end of the road. The only way we can produce these is with your help. Your pledge will allow us get the minimum order quantity for production. Click here to pledge now (even $2 helps us in the rankings) and help us make the Jewel a reality!

Stretch Goals Announced!

The Metals

Hospitals have begun to use copper in high-touch areas due to the oligodynamic effect. Microbes have shown no ability to resist or adapt to this effect, so it is particularly good at fighting "superbugs"

COPPER

It’s Oligodynamic, which means it naturally kills germs on contact. We each have about 2mg of copper in our body, without which we could not survive. It’s dense - between lead and steel in density. Along with gold, it's the only non-greyish pure metal. Copper takes on its own unique hue over time and can be “reset” to brilliancy with baking soda and water (or salt and vinegar).

Pure copper prevents growth and even kills bacteria, molds, spores, fungi, viruses and other organisms. The exact cause is unknown, but it's likely that the ions denature the protein of the cells by binding to reactive groups (precipitating and inactivating them). Copper has the strongest known oligodynamic effect of all pure metals.

One study showed that a copper vessel filled with E. Coli and Salmonella killed the bacteria in less than half the time vs. silver and brass. Many hospitals are now using pure copper on everything from hospital beds to doorknobs in order to fight "superbugs".

TITANIUM

Titanium has the highest strength to weight ratio of any metal. It also has the most corrosion resistance, which makes it very neutral to touch. Often,Titanium parts are often used in replacement body part surgeries because of these properties.

Titanium must be machined carefully with extra-sharp cutting tools and proper cooling in order to get the mirror finish we achieve. You will not often see highly polished titanium surfaces because of this.

SILVER

Silver is an extremely soft, ductile, precious metal that also has oligodynamic germ-killing properties.

We use the traditional sterling silver alloy (92.5%), since pure silver would be too soft to hold its shape long-term. Silver is the shiniest metal of the three, though it will naturally tarnish over time (and can be re-polished easily with over-the-counter cleaners). Silver has been used both for its germ-killing properties and as a precious metal for centuries.

After making the Jewel prototype, we noticed a few things:

Our manufacturer shocked us again with the quality of the prototypes. This is the same manufacturer that we used for the perfect spheres (our last project) and they have definitely delivered once again. Just take a look at the prototype gift box (included with all pledges):

3d mockup of included gift box and packing set

Buy a pair to show someone you care

Because of the extremely high polish and accurate finish, the Jewel can also act as a wide-angle mirror:

Never get surprised from behind again!

We made a Silver version, because of silver's oligodynamic effects (which are similar, but not quite as powerful as copper). It's expensive but super cool :)

The Jewel in Silver, side view. Over half a pound of solid Sterling Silver!

Specs

Copper

230 grams

7 cm diameter x 1 cm thickness

99.9% solid Copper

Titanium

116 grams

7 cm diameter x 1 cm thickness

99.3+% solid Titanium

Silver

260 grams

7 cm diameter x 1 cm thickness

92.5% solid Silver (sterling)

How is it made?

We're now using a precision machining process to get a perfect finish. A large cylinder of copper, titanium or silver is put onto a metal lathe and carefully worked using a CNC. It is then polished to perfection.

Who is Trance Metals?

Hi, I'm Rudy Marsh! In 2015, I partnered with Nir Leibovich to bring you the Esington Glass. We raised over $196k on Kickstarter and brought the Esington Glass to life with your help!

Next, I partnered with Jaime Raijman at Forge Solid to bring you the Forge Solid cube, raising over $487k here on Kickstarter.

Last May, I launched the Trance Sphere project which raised $502,998 here on Kickstarter.

Over $1.1 million and 9000 international backers, 100% fulfilled

Here's what people thought of our last project: Trance Sphere

Why Trance Metals?

Many years ago, my father melted down a ½ pound spool of leftover copper wire. For no particular reason other than it seemed like a really cool thing to do. I remember thinking how attractive the resulting ball of copper was. I was drawn to it. It was particularly satisfying to roll it around on my hands. Maybe I had a copper deficiency and my body was trying to absorb it? I don’t know, but it seemed like everyone enjoyed holding it. At the time, I knew nothing about the oligodynamic effect (germ killing) or health benefits of copper. I just knew I loved that blob of solid copper.

After my mother passed away, I remembered that chunk of copper when reminiscing over our happy days together. I really wanted to buy a large piece of copper just to have for myself. I couldn’t find a large, solid piece of copper anywhere, so I had one made.

When the prototype was shipped to my house, my 3 year old son was immediately drawn to it. He really didn’t want to stop handling it. Now it’s on my desk at work along with my Esington Glass and Forge Solid cube. It gets the most attention of the three by far.

What is it about copper? Maybe it’s the distinct color? Maybe we have some other connection to it? I’m not sure, I just know it’s the thing people want to hold and talk about the most.

What people are saying

"Once again Rudy has designed a simply elegant piece of artwork that also feeds the spirit, mind, and body." -- Anna K.

"What a beautiful addition to my Forge Solid Cubes. Can't wait to see the next thing you come up with." -- Susan P.

"Hi there, just wanted to let you know I was a huge fan and backer of the tungsten project, and found this awesome as well. So backing this was a no brainer." -- Mohamad S.

"I just backed your latest KS campaign. I love your stuff and have two cubes and one hourglass already in my home. Can't wait to see this 1kilo sphere... I'm sure your campaign will be another huge success." -- Dan D.

"Hello! I was one of your esington backers, I just backed this project too...My father is a huge fan of copper so I figured This would be a wonderful gift to him. Thank you!" -- Jennifer L.

"Hey Rudy! I backed Esington (actually a Day 1 backer on that, too, I'm proud to say!!) and I just backed Trance...I love your products! Keep up the good work!" -- Tania D.

"I backed the tungsten KS project and love it. My wife is copper crazy and will think this is perfect. I hope you are able to get a good polish. Great job on the super speedy funding!!!!!" -- Mike E.

"Congrats on getting funded so quickly. It's very impressive but not surprising! A true statement to the quality of your previous products and how much people liked them. I already got my own pledge and 3 more friends are onboard. Congrats again." -- Kosta Z.

"Hi Rudy, I'm a backer of the Forge Kilo (which I loved by the way) and pledged for the Trance Copper Sphere as an early-bird backer." -- Brian H.

"Looks so cool. All Backed! Thanks and look forward to holding this thing..." -- Darrel R.

"Stunning! I did back Esington and am looking forward to adding the Copper sphere to my collection. Best wishes" -- Lee A.

"I think this project just might be more interesting than the Forge Solid! I backed that project for two cubes and this sphere will be a nice addition to my collection." Robert S.

"Hi Rudy, Count me in of the Trance Copper Sphere -- looks very cool and will be a nice addition next to my Esington glass! Onward!" -- Steve P.

"Hello! I was a backer of the [tungsten] cube project! I actually regret not getting a larger size of the cube, but now i can make up for it in copper! The cube was definitely helpful and calming just to have on my desk, so I cant wait to see the sphere!" Florence W.

"Excited for your new project! Everyone who sees the cubes from the Forge Solid project loves it. Woohoo!" -- Butch W.

"Hi, I am an [Esington] backer and just backed your Copper Spere at the 2x 1kg level. Looking forward to this - love my timers!" -- Monika R.

"Hi - I just backed the Trance Copper Sphere...and was a backer of the Forge Solid as well. Thank you for another cool project!" -- John B.

"Hi! As a backer for your Esington glass project, I got your email today about this project and immediately had to back it. The images of this copper ball look amazing and I can't wait to see this project fulfilled!" -- Nicole T.

"G'day. I love my Tungsten cube and would love to get a copper sphere to put next to it. These are such awesome ideas. Thank you for doing them" -- Matthew I.

"Hi Rudy,...I just pledged the 1 lb. copper sphere in matte. I love my Esington glass, every one who comes over to my home, if they come in my living room they are drawn to it to turn it up side down/" -- Nate K.

"I backed the cubes and use them at work regularly. I teach at the military EOD (bomb squad) school in the nuclear division. The density of the kilo helps me show the how small 2 lbs of fissile material can be when talking about criticality incidents. I have backed this at the kilo size as well and it looks awesome." -- James H.

New! $50 double order offer

Click here to and add $50 your pledge to add double MINIs!

Please help fund this project so you can experience the Jewel for yourself. Thank you for your support!