Obsidian: A gems born of a Valcano

Obsidian is a natural lightweight, very shiny black gemstone created when a volcanic flow is cooled very quickly. Geologists call this volcanic glass.

When Black Obsidian forms naturally in the shape of a tear drop it is referred to as Apache Tear Obsidian.

Metaphysical Healers use Obsidian in a number of way.

Leaving a chunk of Obsidian by the door ensures visitors rubbish remains outside your abode.

Using it personally, you are able to work through karmic issues, make sure you are truly ready to deal with them as Obsidian is very to the point one might say.

Many use this stone for protection.

It can be used to remove negative energy from the body, to this point it also works as a pain killer.

Inclusions of small, white, radially clustered crystals of cristobalite in the black glass produce a blotchy or snowflake pattern producing what is calll Snowflake Obsidian.

Sometimes the random patterning of the white crystals forms picture. I have seem Flowers, clouds, trees, birds and many other formations in Snow Flake Obsidian. Stones with pictures are rare and highly prized by collectors.

It is found in Mexico, and is one of the most highly prized types of obsidian.

A novice gem collector often confuses Rainbow Obsidian with Black Opal.

Rainbow Obsidian occurs when small bubbles of air are aligned along layers created as the molten rock was flowing just before being cooled. These bubbles produce golden sheen, or Rainbow sheen in the gems as it cools.

Mystic Lore: Some people say that Rainbow Obsidian is a stone of pleasure and enjoyment, bringing light and love into one's life. It is said to awaken the rainbow body of Light, the totality of one's spiritual energies. It can be used to enhance clairvoyance & to protect from environmental negativity.

It gets the brownish-ochre coloring from the high concentrations of iron.

Some believe the unique brown hues of mahogany obsidian are believed to foster justice.

Obsidian has probably been used since the dawn of man.

Obsidian was revered by ancient cultures. It was one of the major barter materials, and prized for its ability to be worked to razor-sharp edges for arrows and spears. It has been used since prehistoric times for making tools, masks, weapons, mirrors, jewelry and for ceremonial purposes.

Obsidian has similar properties to quartz because of a similar chemistry. However, that is where the similarities end. The properties dependant on a crystal structure found in other gems are altered or absent in Obsidian because it lacks any crystal structure of its own.

Obsidian is pure glass NOT crystal

Picture shown is of Smoky Quartz

· Color is dark green to dark brown and black, also can show sheens of gold or green, yellow, blue and/or purple coloration. Sometimes with white inclusions (Snowflake Obsidian).
· Luster is vitreous.
· Transparency: Obsidian is translucent in any stone of appreciable size.
· Crystal System does not apply because obsidian is amorphous.
· Habits include compact nodules or as massive layers between other volcanic rocks
· Fracture is conchoidal.
· Hardness is 5 - 5.5 (much softer than quartz).
· Specific Gravity is approximately 2.6 (average)
· Streak is white.
· Other Characteristics: Generally lacks open voids or large bubbles like other volcanic rocks.
· Notable Occurrences include Italy; Mexico; Scotland; Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Idaho, USA, as well as the Cascade Volcanic Mountain range and its associated lava beds, which stretches from Northern California into Washington state.
· Best Field Indicators are color, fracture, flow bubbles, softness, association with other volcanic rocks and lack of crystal faces.

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