BLACK OBSIDIAN
VOLCANIC GLASS

Named after the ancient guy who first wrote about it, Obsius, in Ethiopia, & misnamed Obsidian by Pliny the Elder. Obsidian is cooled lava from a volcano! Lava, or Magma cools rapidly when it reaches the Earth’s surface and the silicon dioxide, SIO₂ doesn’t have time to organize into geometric formation, like a quartz crystal. Instead it becomes amorphous, meaning without structure. It is ƒusually black to dark green, but depending on other mineral inclusions, can be red, brown, gold or blue/purple sheened. Some forms are translucent when light is shone through, and may contain straight banding. Found all over the world, it was prized by the Aztecs & the Mayans, used in jewelry & trade. It has conchoidal fracture, meaning that it breaks fwƒithout any natural plane of separation. This fracture pattern allowed obsidian to be utilized as cutting tools, arrowheads and knives in ancient civilizations.

– Associated with the root chakra, zodiac signs of Scorpio & Sagittarius & vibrates to the numbers 2 & 11.

– Grounds. Dissolves negativity, psychic smog, fear, anger, disharmony, ancient trauma, emotional blockage, resentment.
– Compassion, strength, & growth; Urges exploration & new horizons.
– Truth-enhancer clears confusion & forces facing up to one’s true self.
– Physically aids in dispelling negative energy stored in the body, filtering it through the root chakra & back to mother earth, allowing one to feel lighter, brighter and more healthy.

Chemical Formula: SiO₂
Shape: amorphous
Crystal System: none
Habit: massive
Color: dark green to black,
Streak: white
Luster: vitreous
Transparency: transparent
Hardness: 5-5.5 Mohs
Cleavage: none
Fracture: conchoidal
Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65 g/cm³
Refractive Index: 1.450-1.550
Optical Properties: Isotropic