The sterling silver harmony balls come in various styles that include a "solid" sterling silver ball (with the small bell inside) that can be a smooth polished finish or be a cast casing that is finished with ornate designs. Some harmony ball designs involve a sterling silver "cage" which is usually of an ornate open wire design which allows for a smaller solid harmony ball inside which can in many cases be coloured. This latter style of sterling silver harmony ball comes in many different styles created by regional artisans reflecting jewellery making styles and traditions from that region. The Chime ball itself is generally made from brass and the chime is achieved by a series of differing sizes “tongues” of brass fixed on the inside of the ball with a smaller ball inside. With movement the smaller ball rolls around running over the different length tongues and against the inside wall of the larger brass ball, like a bell, creating a variation of sounds that result in a chime with most chimes being unique to each individual Harmony Ball.
Harmony Ball Pendants worn as necklaces have been used in various cultures for centuries by pregnant women and hence harmony balls are often called pregnancy harmony ball pendants. Pregnant women in Bali and Mexico are known to have traditionally worn these harmony balls when pregnant.
The pregnancy harmony balls are generally worn on very long necklace chains or cords so that the harmony ball itself rests on the swollen abdomen of the pregnant woman. It is said that from about 16-20 weeks into the pregnancy that the unborn baby will hear the soft chimes sound coming from the harmony ball. The soft chiming sound is said to soothe the unborn baby and can even have calming benefits for the mother to be.
Pregnancy Harmony Balls are often worn for a period of time after the birth of the child. The mother will often shorten the necklace so that the harmony ball pendant is situated between her throat and her breasts so that it can be played with by the child whilst breast feeding or the soothing sound of the harmony ball emanates as the mother gently rocks her baby to sleep. In some cases the pregnancy harmony ball pendant is passed on from mother to daughter and becomes a treasured family heirloom.
In this modern world the harmony ball pendant is a very popular piece of fashion jewellery. Sterling silver harmony ball pendants combined with a sterling silver chain make a beautiful harmony ball necklace.
A Dream Ball is exactly as described above as a Harmony Ball, with the following differences. The Dream Ball has a cylindrical stem at the top of the pendant where on a Harmony Ball the ring would be for attaching a necklace bale. The end of the stem is fitted with a Gemstone which acts as a plug. The stem was usually used to contain the “dream/s” of the wearer. The wearer would generally write down their dream on a small piece of paper or parchment and roll it tightly and put it inside the “tube” of the stem then tap the Gemstone in the opening of the stem creating a force fit hence sealing the dream inside the Dream Harmony Ball pendant.
The wearer would always be carrying their dream and in some cases share that dream with family by handing down the dream ball pendant to a son or daughter.
