Obsidian: features, properties and varieties

The world of stones fascinates with its mystery and beauty, which nature endowed them with. The variety is so wide that many of them are not as well known as diamond, ruby, garnet or malachite. One of such mysterious stones is a mineral with an unusual name - obsidian.

The name of this stone only enhances its mystery. Obsidian is also called the Devil's Claw, Apache Tear, and Bottle Stone. There are different versions of the origin of the name of this stone.

Adherents of the first version suggest that it comes from the word "obsis", which is translated from Greek means "sight". Perhaps this name arose due to the fact that in ancient times mirrors were made from obsidian.

According to the second version, the stone is so named after the Roman Obsius or Obsidium, who was the first to bring this stone to Italy from Africa (Ethiopia).

This mineral was known in ancient times.

Obsidian is a mountain igneous rock and a type of volcanic glass, which is obtained during the rapid cooling of volcanic lava. This stone looks very beautiful and may have a spotty or striped color. It may contain quartz inclusions, as well as inclusions of dark-colored minerals and feldspars.

In the process of solidification of the lava, air bubbles can enter it, which remain in the mineral even after it has completely cooled. It is the bubbles that give the stone such effects as a golden glow (in the sparkling obsidian), silver (in the silver mineral) and rainbow sparkle (in the rainbow stone).

Obsidian is a mixture of various minerals, therefore it is very variable in morphological and chemical properties. In its composition, obsidian contains a large amount of silicic acid (up to 75%), its other main element is alumina. Its content ranges from 10% to 18%. In general, obsidian is similar in composition to granite.

. In striped specimens, the strips are located in the direction in which the lava flowed. The mineral has an amorphous (glassy) and dense structure, and by its texture it is foamy or massive.

The abrasion resistance of the stone is low, and it is very fragile. When cracked, obsidian forms chips in the form of a mollusk shell (bivalve), the edges of which are very sharp. The surface of the mineral has a glassy glow and lends itself well to polishing.

Obsidian is quite widely used. It is used in jewelry for the manufacture of a variety of jewelry: necklaces, beads and earrings, pendants and bracelets, rings. It is also used as a decorative and ornamental stone.

In industry, the mineral is used as a raw material to produce dark-colored glass. And for construction, heat-insulating material is produced from it.

Obsidian magic accessories are widely used by magicians and diviners.

Obsidian belongs to the category of semiprecious decorative and ornamental stones. It is divided into types depending on the color. Magnesium and iron oxides contained in the stone affect the color of the stone. It is usually black and may have patterned stains. Obsidian has several major varieties.

• Black obsidian. This is the most common species in nature. This color is considered the main color of obsidian. The presence of iron oxide in the stone gives it a deep black color. The combination of glass and stone qualities in obsidian makes it unique: the rich black color has a glass flicker in a translucent densified texture, like gemstones.

• Rainbow stone. It is very rare in nature and therefore extremely appreciated. The palette of its color shades surprises with its variety. The mineral is a type of black obsidian and includes several subspecies. In the process of natural lighting with intense sunlight and after long-term natural polishing, the stone acquires luminous multi-colored stripes and a vivid play of colors: red and green, blue and golden, which in different instances are combined in different ways.

• Obsidian snow It is considered one of the most beautiful types of this stone. Against a saturated velvety-black background, the surface of the stone is randomly scattered with dull-white blotches of cristobalite, which have different sizes and resemble snowflakes in appearance. Therefore, the stone got its name.

• Peanut. The mineral of this species is formed as a result of the dotted dissemination of cristobalite. In their form, these inclusions are very similar to peanut kernels. Peanut obsidian is quite common in nature.

In addition to these main types of obsidian, there are also stones with an unusual color. The variety of colors and shades is explained by the fact that the process of solidification of the lava is accompanied by the ingress of various impurities and foreign inclusions into it. In nature, there are also such rare types of mineral:

• red obsidianmined only in Mexico;

• fierybeing the most expensive of all types;

• mahogany or leopard obsidian - a stone or brown, or a reddish tint with the inclusion of black veins and spots;

• golden stone, which is painted gray and has gas bubbles inside, giving the crystal a golden glow.

There are also blue and green obsidians, stones with spots, inclusions and alternating layers of different shades and sizes.

Since obsidian is the result of volcanic activity and eruption of lava, in nature it is formed where there are active volcanoes, dormant or extinct. Therefore, its distribution area is quite wide.

Large deposits of this stone are located in countries with high activity of volcanoes such as Mexico, Ecuador, Japan (Hokkaido Island), Turkey, Armenia. The most beautiful and valuable specimens are considered to be California minerals, as well as stones mined in the Mississippi waters in the states of Nevada and Arizona.

Mexico has the largest deposits of obsidian, and its rare species are found here - red and brown-red.

In our country, the mineral is mined in the regions of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, the Caucasus and Karelia, in Siberia. In Kamchatka, mining is carried out in the Itkovayemskaya deposit on the Sredinny Range, as well as in the Nachikinskoye field, near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Insignificant deposits of obsidian are present in Transbaikalia and the Khabarovsk region.

In addition, the stone is found in other countries and regions: in Peru and Iceland, Hawaii and Indonesia. Large deposits are located in Iran and Georgia.

The volcanic origin of the mineral also explains its properties.

In its mineral composition, it is similar to granite.

The chemical composition of the mineral includes the following elements:

• SiO2 (silicon oxide) is its basis, the content of which ranges from 65% to 75%;
• oxides of magnesium (MgO) and iron (Fe3O4);
• mica - about 5-10%,
• water contained in very small amounts - up to 1%.

The characteristic of its physical properties includes the following parameters:

• hardness - about 5-5.5 (on the Mohs scale);
• density - from 2.5 to 2.6 g per cubic centimeter.

The structure of the stone is massive amorphous with a uniform texture, strength is low. The mineral does not have electrical conductivity, is not radioactive, melts at a temperature of from 1200 to 1500 degrees Celsius. May be opaque, translucent, or transparent. It has a glass luster, is capable of polishing and can be cut.

Obsidian is credited with many properties. It is believed that he has healing powers. Its healing natural properties have been used in alternative and traditional medicine by the healers and healers for a long time. Nowadays, a special direction in medical practice has appeared - lithotherapy, which uses the special properties of stones.

Volcanic mineral is used in various cases.

• Treatment of colds resulting from hypothermia.
• Normalization of the functions of the digestive system, regulation of the secretion of gastric juice, as well as the treatment of digestive ulcers.
• Stabilization and elimination of jumps in blood pressure. Bracelets made of this stone can be worn both for hypertensive patients and for hypotensive patients.
• Relief of inflammation of rheumatism, gout, or spinal diseases.
• Relieve nervous tension, excitement and strengthen calm and emotional balance. Obsidian helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and improve sleep.
• Treatment of inflammatory processes associated with burns, wounds and other injuries. In this case, products from it are recommended to be worn near the affected areas.

During treatment, both obsidian products are worn, and unprocessed stones are used.Silver enhances the healing properties of the mineral, so it is recommended to use jewelry in a silver frame. However, it must be remembered that it is impossible to wear obsidian continuously, since it can have a negative side effect on the work of the kidneys.

In addition, only paired jewelry is worn. The effectiveness of its healing properties also increases rhinestone, if worn together.

Black obsidian is credited with special qualities. From ancient times, Hindus have believed that this type of stone cleans the biofield and the human body, protecting it from the negative energy flows coming from the outside, and also eliminates the negative clots of energy inside the body. To achieve this effect, it is applied to the inguinal region or navel.

In addition, obsidian harmonizes the entire human energy and its aura, if applied for a while along the entire length of the mid-vertical line of the body.

In addition to the medicinal properties inherent in all these stones, black obsidian is also used to strengthen immunity in the treatment of asthma, diseases of the female and male reproductive systems.

Snow obsidian also has its own characteristics. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, is used in the treatment of varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and skin diseases. And also its feature is the ability to fight infections of a bacterial nature and prevent the occurrence of herpes.

Rainbow obsidian is widely used for injuries: bruises, fractures, sprains. If you place a stone in the region of the heart on the chest, then it stabilizes the organ, and it is especially useful in a state of stress.

Another property of obsidian that matters to humans is its magical power. It is believed that the stone is able to absorb energy and store information. Magic widely uses in its practice magic mirrors, balls and other accessories from obsidian, as a way to know the past and predict the future.

According to magicians, this mineral has the cosmic power of the Sun, Uranus and Saturn. When using a stone for evil purposes, it can harm a person.

Not everyone is allowed to use magic attributes from obsidian. But if you use the power of the stone correctly, it can warn a person against wrong actions, removes people who are evil and dangerous for a given person, and removes an aggressive state.

This amulet helps ordinary people to look at themselves through the eyes of others. Amulets contribute to creative talented individuals (writers, philosophers) to show their creativity in full.

It contributes to the knowledge of the truth, shows a person his mistakes and shortcomings, and also indicates ways to solve problems. The black mineral is especially useful for people with a high degree of sensitivity, for everything that hurts a soul.

Amulets made of black stone make it possible to recognize your “inner self” and the black thoughts of the human soul. On the other hand, he instills compassion and mercy, strengthens vitality.

Obsidian accumulates in itself both the positive and the negative.Therefore, after each time its use, the amulet should be cleaned.

The rainbow appearance of obsidian has softer energy properties, but its protective abilities remain very strong. Usually magicians recommend wearing it to get rid of the suffering of unrequited or past love.

Snow mineral is used to get rid of obsolete patterns and long-standing unwholesome habits. It stimulates mental processes and allows you to correctly evaluate actions and surrounding reality, helps to understand your mistakes, indicating ways to correct them, gives self-confidence.

The brown obsidian energy is believed to be related to the energy of the Earth, with which the mineral is in close contact. Mages are advised to use it to improve personality, to strengthen the family tree.

According to the magicians, the silver mineral makes it possible to penetrate the soul of a person, promotes meditation and is the "third eye". It strengthens the body both in the astral and in the physical plane.

Despite its undoubted benefits, not everyone can wear this mineral. This is due to the astrological features of the stone, and it does not fit every zodiac sign. On people born under different zodiac signs, he has a different effect.

Therefore, astrologers advise you to familiarize yourself with several recommendations before purchasing obsidian amulets or jewelry.

• This mineral has the most beneficial effect on those born under the sign. Capricorn. Amulets help Capricorns to change their own lives for the better by freeing themselves from the negative properties of their nature.

• Wards obsidian and Aquarius. Under the influence of stone, they are able to discover intuitive abilities. Stones of saturated blue color are more suitable for this sign.

• Pisces will make more courageous and decisive in actions and life situations.

• Aries they will be able to tame their complex burrows under the auspices of the stone, becoming more balanced, quiet and restrained, and also endow them with insight. Obsidian will contribute to their career growth and prosperity in the financial sector. But in order not to provoke stubbornness, intemperance and selfishness, wearing obsidian amulets is not allowed on a daily basis.

• Taurus it is possible to resort to the help of a gem only if life changes are coming.

• Twins the mineral will give decisiveness to bring about a change for the better. Only the black obsidian is recommended to him.

• Raku this stone will only cause harm and make life difficult; Cancer is not recommended to wear it.

• Black mineral will save Lion from the machinations of haters and from diseases caused by slander. In addition, the Lions will not be so hot-tempered.

• Virgo, like Cancer, stone is contraindicated. It will only provoke nervousness and aggressiveness, and will also strengthen its romance and innate suspiciousness.

• You can wear obsidian charms Weights. They recommended a snow stone, although it will not bring any special changes to them.

• Scorpio under the influence of a gem, it can find emotional calm and even meet your soul mate. The stone will give it clarity of thought and the ability to adequately accept reality.

• Sagittarius experiences only the positive effect of the gem, which activates the mental abilities and foresight of Sagittarius. They recommended a mineral of red or brown color.

For example, for men named Ilya, he will give vitality and strength, help overcome difficult periods and cause a desire for a change in life. Obsidian has a positive effect on Natalya and Maxim, Daria and Tatyana. The action of the stone is able to protect them from rash acts and make the right decision. The gem also patronizes men with names - Gregory and Stepan, Egor and Denis, and women with the names Nadezhda and Antonina.

Obsidian amulets and talismans are recommended to be worn by people associated with banking, inventors and people in creative professions: artists, writers, poets.

Obsidian is inexpensive, but it is not so often, but still faked. Most often, stained glass or quartz, especially smoky, is given out as natural stone. However, only amulets and charms from a natural mineral have specific properties. Therefore, it is so important to be able to distinguish natural stone from a fake.

There are several signs and ways to identify a fake.

• Natural obsidian, unlike a fake, is constantly cold to the touch. Even if you hold it for some time in your hand, it will not warm up.
• A fake product quickly disappears after it is placed in water.
• Natural stone is distinguished by color: it is always distinguished by brightness and saturation. The surface of the stone is shiny.
• A fake gem is most often evenly colored and has no shades. Natural stone has many specks, spots and stains.

Using these completely simple recommendations will help you choose products with natural obsidian.

Obsidian of those stones that require careful handling. It should be noted that the mineral negatively reacts to sharp temperature jumps and bright sunlight, which can negatively affect its external beauty.

Obsidian products should be washed periodically with soft cloths. Do not use any chemicals. Jewelry can be treated with slightly warm soapy water. After this, rinse with running water, and thoroughly wipe with a soft cloth. It is advisable to do the processing of the gem in a month and a half.

Talismans from obsidian are recommended to be placed weekly for several minutes (10-15) under running water. Water will clean the stone of all the negative energy that has accumulated in it. It is necessary to store products from this stone in isolation from other jewelry.

Such care and proper storage will allow obsidian jewelry and other products to last for many years.

In the video below you can see an overview of this stone.