APPLICATIONS: | Gemstone and ornamental stone. |
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: | Sagittarius. |
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE: | SiO2, Volcanic Silica Glass. |
CLASS: | Mineraloids. |
COLOR: | 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). |
CRYSTAL HABITS: | Compact nodules or as layers between other volcanic rocks. |
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: | Does not apply because mineral is amorphous. |
FIELD INDICATORS: | Color, fracture, flow bubbles, softness, and lack of crystal faces. |
FRACTURE: | Conchoidal. |
GENERAL INFORMATION: | Lacks open voids or large bubbles like other volcanic rocks. |
GEOGRAPHY: | Italy, Mexico, Scotland and the U.S. |
HARDNESS: | 5 - 5.5. |
LUSTER: | Vitreous. |
METAPHYSICAL: | Obsidian helps to identify ones owns flaws and gives a clear picture of the changes which are necessary to eliminate these flaws. Obsidian is an excellent grounding stone and provides a connection from the base of ones spine to the heart of the earth. It is a protective stone that keeps one safe from emotional and physical harm. It provides a shield from negativity. Having obsidian on ones person disperses unloving thoughts that arise from inside or that are directed towards oneself. |
PHYSICAL: | It has been used in treatment of self-esteem. |
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: | 2.6. |
STREAK: | White. |
TRANSPARENCY: | Translucent in any stone of appreciable size. |
VIBRATES: | To the number 1. |
