I don't think that sort of caring is in the Orb's nature- it wants chaos after all.

But there's something from Gyeonje that makes me wonder- no one gave So-Yeon the orb, she stole it- but she made a bargain with it, and was able to relinquish it to us. So perhaps no matter how you lay hands on it, if you make a bargain with it, you're considered the owner?

[Something to keep in mind if they encounter someone reluctant to hand the Orb over... although given the prices the Orb can demand, Sabriel's not sure if it's fair to ask any of the crew to do such a thing.]