Ferrofluid // Gold

Ferrofluid—a combination of the words "ferromagnetic" and "fluid"—is a liquid with a high iron content that was invented by NASA in the 1960s. It becomes magnetized only when in the presence of a strong enough magnetic field, and was originally conceived as a new type of rocket fuel that could be drawn into a pump inlet with magnets in zero-gravity environments. It was ultimately an unsuccessful project, but ferrofluid also has the unexpected side effect of being incredibly beautiful as it moves.

When exposed to a magnetic field, the inert fluid suddenly becomes a viscous, space-age display that ebbs and flows like a lava lamp, but is under your control. This particular piece features a glass capsule full of ferrofluid that comes with a display stand featuring rare earth magnets built into both ends, meaning the fluid can be left on a desk, table, or bookshelf to slowly climb, fall, and swirl on its own.

It also comes with two smaller magnets that you can hold alongside the capsule, making it react to your movements.