Obsidian

the birthstone, along with Topaz for November, has a deep history in Native American cultures

Keywords:

Self growth, honesty, protection, negativity sanitation

Affirmation:

I cleanse my energy field of negativity and ground myself to the Earth’s heart.

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Obsidian-Snowflake

Obsidian is naturally occurring volcanic glass which has been used as a gemstone since antiquity. Obsidian was named after Obsius, a Roman who discovered a similar stone. Obsidian forms when lava cools and whilst it is mineral-like, it is not considered to be a true mineral because its composition is too complex and it does not have a crystalline structure.

In addition to its decorative use, obsidian has a practical use. Due to its lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture and acute edges when broken, it has been used to make smooth and sharp surgical scalpel blades. Obsidian has been used to make arrow heads and blades, as well as ornaments for thousands of years by people such as the pre-Columbian Mesoamericans and the ancient Egyptians.

In its pure form, obsidian has a dark body color due to the presence of iron and magnesium. Obsidian can be classified into varieties according to several characteristics. However, some basic types of obsidian include the following: Mottled (snowflake and peanut obsidian), banded or veined (mahogany, midnight lace and pumpkin obsidian), pebbles or small nodules (Apache tears) and sheen (sheen obsidian, cat’s eye, rainbow and fire/flame obsidian).

Since obsidian is volcanic glass, it has a vitreous (glassy luster). It may contain inclusions which cause a silver or gold sheen. It may also contain needle-like inclusions, gas bubbles, torpedo-shaped bubbles, teardrop-shaped bubbles or cristobalite crystal inclusions, which appear like “snowflakes” in “snowflake obsidian.”

Obsidian from Chile has also been found containing very rare inclusions of euhedral indialite crystals and transparent rods of sillimanite. Bolivian obsidian has been found to contain orange spessartine inclusions. Obsidian can display chatoyancy (cat’s eye effect).

Due to the opacity of most types of obsidian, it is usually cabochon cut, fancy cut, sphere-cut, tumbled, made into cameos or carved. Cabochon cuts also best exhibit any sheen or iridescence. Translucent to transparent materials are faceted.

Obsidian is thought to be a powerful stone that can offer protection against negativity. It is sometimes called “the stone of truth” because it encourages the surfacing of secrets and hidden emotions. Additionally, obsidian is also thought to be a balancing and grounding stone.

Traditional Indian belief systems associate obsidian with the root chakra, which governs sexuality and stability. Centuries ago, black obsidian mirrors were used to contact the spirit world, and it is thought to be useful in resolving issues related to past lives. Obsidian is also considered to be particularly useful for those suffering from depression or addiction.