Small nuggets of the stones, rounded and smoothed by wind and water, are called Apache Tears and have a pretty beautiful legend surrounding them: it is believed that the U.S.

Therefore, it makes it very possible for archeologists to trace the origins of a particular artifact to the exact area where it was formed and later used. “ Tezcatlipoca” means “smoking mirror.” - supposedly, he saw everything that occurred in the world and the heavens through his Obsidian mirror.Įach volcano, and in some cases each volcanic eruption, produces a different type of Obsidian. In ancient Mexico and surrounding regions, it was known as iztli or teotetl ('the divine stone') and was used to carve amulets, jewelry, grave ornaments, and images of the god. The mystical properties of this gemstone also date back to early civilizations. Given the abundance of Obsidian found in the area and its high value, it was considered incredibly precious, even more so than gold. The Black Lava Glass (another name for Obsidian) was used in trading by Mayan merchants, dating as far back as 100 years BC. The ancient Mesoamericans also made swords with Obsidian material. For instance, they carved and worked these rocks for tools and decorative objects, such as plates and other wares. Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans used to rely on this volcanic glass a lot. The history of this remarkable stone is marked in almost all ancient cultures and civilizations: Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans Interestingly, even rudimentary mirrors were created out of it by polishing the glass. Obsidian stone origins date back to the Stone Age when it was used extensively, as it was easy to carve and could also be formed into a sharp blade, lances, arrows, axes, and many other tools. MS-DIVIDER The History Of Obsidian Crystal You get mahogany obsidian when both brown and black are present a black rock with some grey or white specks is often called snowflake obsidian. This so-called Rainbow Obsidian is a direct result of microscopic magnetite inclusions. Some variations include golden, silver, or purple sheen obsidian hues (caused by tiny gas bubbles trapped under the stone’s surface).Īt the same time, others display iridescent bands of red, blue, gold, violet, and green when exposed to bright light. The most common variety of this gemstone is black obsidian stone, but this mineral comes in a wide range of different colors. Minerals with a crystalline structure typically develop over time however, since an Obsidian rock forms so quickly, there’s no time for crystals to grow, resulting in quite an irregular structure that can break and experience a conchoidal fracture. This naturally occurring glass manifests when the molten lava flow is cooled rapidly (usually when pouring into a lake or an ocean). Obsidian stone is an igneous rock that is not an ordinary crystal by any means after all, it doesn’t even have a crystalline structure.

Therefore, let’s dive deep and explore Obsidian properties, obsidian crystal meaning, and more! This mysterious gem offers a lot for those who dare to open their eyes and look beneath the surface, where one’s secrets, flaws, fears, and inner demons reside. A stone unlike any other, obsidian gemstone is a beautiful, glossy, and often wholly black crystal that is capable of fascinating and captivating anyone at the very first glance.

A grade black obsidian stone