About Obsidian
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- Mineralogy and geology*
- Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***
- Common Associations
Mineralogy and Geology of Obsidian
Obsidian is not a mineral; it is a rock consisting of volcanic glass with a composition high in silica. It is formed in the late stages of a volcanic eruption, when the magma has largely degassed and eruptions are less explosive. The volatile-depeleted magma then flows or oozes out with relatively high viscosity, often more like toothpaste than a lava flow. Glass is formed when the viscous magma chills rapidly at surface temperatures.
Apache teardrops are formed by volcanic spatter that has been ejected into the air during an eruption, and rains back down, often retaining a raindrop-like shape after it solidifies into volcanic glass.
Some obsidian ejecta resemble tektites and can be mistakenly identified as such.
Obsidian is named after Obsius, who found a stone resembling obsidian in Ethiopia; Pliny the Elder mentions this in his writings.
Pele’s tears, and Pele’s hair, are formed by similar processes from low-silica magma in volcanic eruptions such as those that occur in Hawaii.
Common types of obsidian include:
Fire obsidian: iridescent obsidian; the iridescence is caused by the presence of microscopic magnetite crystals.
Mahogany obsidian: a reddish-brown obsidian; the color is due to the presence of iron oxides.
Rainbow obsidian: obsidian with layers of iridescence caused by the presence of microscopic bubbles and/or crystals of magnetite or other minerals.
Sheen obsidian: obsidian with a defined silver or golden sheen caused by the presence of microscopic bubbles and/or crystallites.
Snowflake obsidian: obsidian that has begun to re-crystallize from glass (called devitrification); the crystals are those of cristobalite, a form of quartz.