Obsidian: Natural Black Glass

Today I want to talk about one of my FAVORITE stones--Obsidian.

Obsidian is a naturally occurring glass that is formed by the rapid cooling of rhyolitic lava (according to the Encyclopedia Britanica). When this kind of lava is forced to the surface of the Earth during an eruption, it rapidly loses its water, which actually increases its viscosity, which impedes crystallization.

Obsidian is actually made of microscopic clusters of many kinds of crystals that never quite made it through the full crystallization process, which causes it to form into a glass.

Obsidian has served many purposes throughout history. One of the best known is the Native American use of Obsidian for arrowheads. It was used for spears, arrows, and knives because of the way it tends to brake apart when struck. While it is fairly strong (a little stronger than window glass) when it does brake apart, it typically flakes, allowing you to shape it into the sharp edges you see on arrowheads.

I love to use obsidian in my jewelry because of its smooth surfaces and sharp edges. I find that it fills me with a sense of strength and confidence, and it also serves well as a worry stone. When I am stressed, I can run my fingers across the naturally smooth, shiny surfaces and it calms me and comforts me while reminding me that I am strong.