![]() Due to the difference in their refractive indices (RI), these will usually stand out in high relief when examined under magnification. Natural obsidians may contain some specific inclusions, such as crystallites, that help distinguish them from artificial glass. It can catch on trees and outdoor structures. Named after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanos and fire, this light, string-like volcanic basalt glass can actually become airborne. Teardrop pendant, silver-sheen obsidian wrapped in copper. Sheen ObsidianĪ variety with sheen produced by inclusions of gas bubbles. Photo courtesy of and Heritage Auctions. “Double heart” rainbow obsidian sculpture, 9½ x 3¼ x 3¼ inches, Mexico. The "fire" variety contains thinner layers of magnetite than the "rainbow" variety. These varieties can show multiple brilliant colors due to inclusions of magnetite nano-crystals. Photo courtesy of and Easterly Auction Company. Mahogany ObsidianĪ variety with reddish-brown color due to iron impurities. This variety name comes from a legend of the Native American Apache people. Commonly found in the southwestern American states of Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, some of these pieces have been faceted. Apache Tearsīeginning hobbyists often enjoy working with these cores of unaltered glass in nodular shells of decomposed obsidian. Photo courtesy of and Leonard Auction, Inc. Sterling silver and snowflake obsidian jewelry set. ![]() Jewelry makers frequently use these stones as beads and cabochons. This popular variety gets its name from its inclusions of snowflake-like spherulites of cristobalite. Photo courtesy of and Epic Auctions and Estate Sales.Īlthough typically dark and opaque, obsidians come in many varieties popular with jewelry enthusiasts and mineral collectors. 10k yellow gold ring with cat’s eye obsidian. Hobbyists will occasionally facet these pieces. Transparent obsidians are quite rare, as are green, blue, and reddish colors. On display at the de Young Museum, San Francisco, California. Ceremonial dagger, obsidian blade with a turquoise, coral, and shell mosaic overlay on the hilt, about 10.5 inches long. Cultures across the globe have made scalpels, arrowheads, knives, and scrapers from obsidians. However, the broken edges of these rocks are sharper than any steel knife. As a result, cutting and wearing this material requires some care. Heat-sensitive obsidian has a hardness of 5-6 and brittle tenacity. Photo courtesy of and Sabertooth Auctions. These gems can make delicate jewelry stones. Faceted pieces tend to appear dark, except when cut in small sizes. It commonly occurs in large pieces, and lapidaries frequently cut them into cabochons, beads, and carvings. Commentsįormed by volcanism, obsidian is considered a rock. Obsidian: Mexico (banded and sheen varieties) Utah (“snowflake obsidian,” cabochon 30 x 40 mm). Since prehistoric times, people have used this material to make jewelry and carvings as well as practical objects, like knives. Obsidian is the most common form of natural glass and occurs in many attractive varieties.
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