you hold it like this. your grip completes the circuit between the two copper strips thus activating the wand.
i had no idea what it as until i read this article which describes it exactly. this is the worlds first space-time crystal.
http://beforeitsnews.com/science-and-technology/2012/09/a-clock-that-will-last-forever-with-space-time-crystal-2473308.html
it could be sword of saint micheal