I notice several other reviewers mentioning the same thing -- this isn't as pretty in person as it looks in the photo here. I don't think there's anything deliberately misleading about the photos. I think what's happening is in the picture it looks like and reminds us of one of those glass paperweights -- you know, the ones that are a bit rounded on the top and sort of iridescent in the light? Well, the reality is it's flat, plastic, and just okay. It does the job (unless you have a particularly thick table or a particularly massive purse). It's inexpensive and would make a nice little inexpensive gift for a coworker. It comes in a little gray and white drawstring pouch with a damask pattern on it, so even easier for gift giving and storing in your purse that way. I've included a customer photo or two to try to let you see this from another angle to help decide on purchasing. If you find this review helpful, please vote it up! Thanks. :)