Autopatrolled, Editors
18,460
edits
(This edit added a section on the relative value of gemstones in the Roshar economy.) |
(Added link to the Spanish page) |
||
(44 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown) | |||
{{culture
|related=[[Spheres]]<br/> [[Soulcasting]]<br/> [[Fabrial]]s
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
The '''Polestones''' are the ten varieties of gemstone that naturally hold [[
== Attributes ==
Some polestones are the same type of crystal but with different color and chemical signatures. Sapphire and ruby are both types of corundum. Smokestone and amethyst are both types of quartz. Emerald and heliodor are both types of beryl. Much like how [[iron]] and [[steel]], despite being very similar chemically, are different metals in the [[Metallic Arts]], the exact color and chemical signatures are enough to differentiate the polestones. As a result, an off-color polestone acts much like an impure alloy in [[Allomancy]].{{wob ref|4080}}▼
=== Composition ===
▲Some
If sung to, while holding Light, Polestones will break.{{book ref|sa4|86}}
=== Light and Surgebinding ===
While polestones are produced via mining, a significant source of them on Roshar is the harvesting of the [[gemheart]]s that grow inside [[greatshell]]s. Larger species of greathshell, like [[chasmfiend]]s, produce gemhearts of great size, which are incredibly useful in Soulcasting as a larger stone is less likely to break from the strain.{{book ref|sa1|13}} This trait however has led to many species of greatshells, such as the [[lanceryn]], to go extinct.{{book ref|sa1|36}} The exact method by which gemhearts are grown is not understood, though it is known to be caused by a leak from the [[Spiritual Realm]] into the [[Physical Realm|Physical]], and is analogous, though not identical, to the production of [[atium]] in the [[Pits of Hathsin]] on [[Scadrial]].{{wob ref|4678}} Although they may have flaws, gemheart polestones have virtually no impurities, unlike their conventionally mined counterparts.{{wob ref|6625}}▼
All Lights can be stored in gems. How long a given quantity of Light will remain in a specific gem depends on the type of Light and the quality of the gem.{{book ref|sa4|16}} The rate at which a Light leaks from gemstones is not constant either - it appears slow at first, but accelerates rapidly near the end, making gems that begin to dim, dim ''fast.''{{book ref|sa4|32}} Regardless of the type of Light, perfect gems are said to be able to hold it indefinitely, but they are extremely rare.{{book ref|sa4|13}}
Although the type of Polestone Stormlight is stored in is irrelevant for most [[Surgebinding]], Polestones do have an important impact on Soulcasting. Namely, they determine what kind of substances a Soulcaster can transmute objects into.{{wob ref|2784}} It is believed to be impossible to create
=== Spren ===
In addition to the ability to hold Stormlight, Polestones are able to trap [[spren]]. The type of spren that can be trapped depends on the Polestone used and its cut. This quality serves as the basis for [[fabrial]]s.{{ref|name=Navani1}} Each Polestone is associated with one of the [[Ten Essences]] and with an Order of [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} However, there appears to be no functional difference between Polestones apart from [[Soulcasting]] and fabrial creation.
If a Polestone is set in the pommel of a deceased [[Shardblade]] it allows the blade to be bonded, whereby it can be summoned and dismissed.{{book ref|sa2|67}} Synthetic versions of the
== The Ten Polestones ==
Sapphire spheres are given the "sky-" prefix.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Windrunners|Order of Windrunners]]
=== Smokestone ===
'''Smokestone''' is associated with the Essence of Vapor. They are used to Soulcast opaque gases, like smoke and fog.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
Smokestones are used in a type of fabrial clock.{{book ref|sa1|10}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Skybreakers|Order of Skybreakers]].
Smokestone is a chemically impure version of quartz.{{wob ref|3813}}{{ref|group=fn|text=It can be reasonably assumed that smokestone is [[wikipedia:Smoky quartz|Smoky quartz]], a form of quartz turned a dark grey due to aluminum impurities within the crystalline quartz. This is confirmed due to the fact that Brandon confirms that smokestone is an impure form of quartz.{{wob ref|3813}}}}
=== Ruby ===
Ruby spheres are given the "fire-" prefix.{{book ref|sa1|3}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Dustbringers|Order of Dustbringers]]
=== Diamond ===
'''Diamond''' is associated with the Essence of Lucentia. They are used to Soulcast crystals, like quartz
Diamonds are used in a kind of light producing fabrial.{{book ref|sa2|86}}
Diamond spheres are given the "clear-" prefix.{{book ref|sa1|11}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Edgedancers|Order of Edgedancers]]
=== Emerald ===
'''Emerald''' is associated with the Essence of Pulp. They are used to Soulcast plant material, like wood, moss, and
Emeralds can be used to capture flamespren.{{ref|name=Navani1}} They can be found in [[chasmfiend]]s.
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Truthwatchers|Order of Truthwatchers]]
=== Garnet ===
Garnet spheres are given the "blood-" prefix.{{book ref|sa1|17}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Lightweavers|Order of Lightweavers]]
=== Zircon ===
'''Zircon''' is associated with the Essence of Tallow. They are used to Soulcast oils.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Elsecallers|Order of Elsecallers]]
=== Amethyst ===
Amethysts are used in the production of [[Fabrial#Pairing fabrials|reverser fabrials]], where a single infused amethyst is split in two. Once activated the two halves will inversely mirror each other's movements, lift one and the other will be lowered.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Willshapers|Order of Willshapers]]
=== Topaz ===
A topaz was observed as part of a fabrial replicating Regrowth, an application of the [[Surgebinding#Progression|Surge of Progression]].{{book ref|sa1|19}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Stonewards|Order of Stonewards]]
=== Heliodor ===
A heliodor was observed as part of a fabrial replicating Regrowth, an application of the [[Surgebinding#Progression|Surge of Progression]].{{book ref|sa1|19}}
It is associated with the [[Order_of_Bondsmiths|Order of Bondsmiths]]
They can be found in [[gumfrem]]s.{{book ref|sa3|10}}
== Obtaining ==
▲While
== Perfect Gemstones ==
'''Perfect gemstones''' occur when one of the
Perfect gemstones have the capacity to hold [[Cognitive Shadow]]s in addition to spren, the latter of which they have a far larger capacity than normal gemstones--they can hold [[Herald]]s, the [[Unmade]], and even [[Fused]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa4|14}} They could also capture some of the [[Dor]] or the sunlight from [[Taldain]].{{wob ref|15297}}
== Transfer ==
It is possible to transfer Light from a filled, small gemstone to a large and empty gemstone of its type by holding the filled gemstone to the empty one. This method of transfer is slow and inefficient; however, the [[Thaylen|Thaylens]] have discovered a more efficient way of transferring Stormlight from one gemstone to another. By using a tuning fork of a specific frequency, a person can touch an infused gemstone and then touch the fork to the empty gemstone for a rapid mode of transfer. With the Thaylen method, the type of Polestone does not matter, and light can be transferred from any type to any type. The decay rate is unknown, as is the distance the tuning fork can be brought before transfer is impossible.{{book ref|sa4|42}}
Surgebinders are also able to infuse Polestones regardless of the type, and can do so very quickly.{{book ref|sa4|44}}{{book ref|sa4|49}}
== Roshar Economy ==
{{for|Spheres}}
Gemstones form the basis for the Roshar economy. Gemstone weight is measured in kivs.{{book ref|sa4|42}} When used as currency, the
In addition, the value of the “sphere” is determined by the type of gemstone, which have different values as determined by their utility rather than their rarity.{{book ref|sa3|part=ars}}. Their relative value in descending order is as follows: emerald, sapphire,{{book ref|sa1|8}}
== Notes ==
;Footnotes
<references group=fn />
; References
<references>
</references>
{{
{{Stormlight}}
[[es:Piedrabase]]
|