Like most tools employed by psychics in their quest of otherworldly information, crystal balls are used as focal points to help the reader concentrate on the subject. It is not cheating or anything like that. It is merely a helpful tool for a psychic. It often brings good results.
There is no picture within the ball. The picture is within the psychic’s head, or mind.
Crystal balls conjure up the image of a fortune teller, complete with headscarf and long shiny earrings, in the minds of most people. Fairgrounds and gypsies spring to the mind too. Gypsies I understand are particularly good with the crystal. This may be because being psychic runs in their family and they have passed the art and the knowledge down the line.
Most of the modern day mediums do not use crystal balls. It seems to be a lost art. Although I do know a few who use it today. It can be very theatrical. Or should I say that those who use it appear to be theatrical when using it. Lots of hand and arm twirling and a mysterious gaze! Whatever suits you!
In my experience the psychic will gaze into the ball and ask in their mind for information or vibrations. The information will appear in the psychics third eye, which is located in the centre of the brow, and is one of the psychic centres.
It is not a physical or tangible thing. Whilst the reader gazes into the ball it will appear as though the images are actually in there. Or that seems to be what the reader wants you to think. When in fact it is like viewing images on a screen in your forehead.
I use many such tools - but not the crystal - as focal points to help my students learn to concentrate on the psychic information which their guides bring to them. It also helps the reader to relax. A relaxed reader picks up more information.
I personally enjoy using ribbons in a reading but that is all about colour.