Obsidian A naturally occurring volcanic glass. Pronounced: 'ob-sid-e-un'
Moldavite Opal
Sources
Crystals (UK) obsidian is from Mexico.
Origin
Natural glass formed from rapidly cooling lava from a volcano. The speed of cooling was so fast that crystals did not have time to form. Obsidian can be fractured to produce sharp edges and has been used since pre-historic times for cutting tools, arrowheads, ornaments and jewellery. It was even polished to make a primitive mirror!
Composition
Mainly silicon dioxide: SiO2
Structure
Amorphous (no distinct crystal structure). A rough surface in natural state with distinctive jagged, scarred texture. Concoidal fracture.
Inclusions
These can produce a metallic sheen (e.g. rainbow obsidian or goldsheen/silversheen obsidian) caused by internal gas bubbles or crystals of cristobalite to produce a snowflake effect (snowflake obsidian). Mahogany obsidian has a high concentration of iron.
Our View
Much of our carved obsidian is crafted by a single family who we meet once a year. The father’s hands are well scarred from this very sharp material. Their challenge is to artistically highlight the sheens and patterns in individual pieces.
Highly skilled Chinese carvers produce our top end pieces, such as the largest AA Grade hearts. For the last two years we have selected rough obsidian and arranged shipment to our Chinese carvers from whence it returns via Hong Kong! This can take up to a year but we believe the obsidian we sell is amongst the finest, if not THE finest, in Europe.
Our commitment to obsidian is an example of our developing and encouraging appreciation of a ludicrously neglected stone. How often we heard ignorant people suggesting it was not worthy of gold settings or use in large bangles! How sadly misguided!
- Month stones
- January - Garnet also Ruby
- February - Amethyst also Bloodstone
- March - Aquamarine also Jade
- April - Quartz also Opal
- May - Rose Quartz also Agate
- June - Pearl also Moonstone
- July - Ruby also Carnelian
- August - Peridot also Sardonyx
- September - Iolite also Lapis Lazuli
- October - Opal also Pink Tourmaline
- November - Topaz also Citrine
- December - Turquoise also Tanzanite
- Zodiac Stones
- Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise
- Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Aquamarine, Amethyst, Amber, Celestite, Fluorite, Labradorite
- Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Moonstone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Fluorite, Turquoise
- Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Ruby, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Kunzite
- Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Azurite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Rhodonite, Tigers Eye
- Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) Chrysocolla, Citrine, Serpentine, Tourmalinated and Rutilated Quartz, Tiger's Eye
- Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) Moonstone, Pearl, Opal, Ruby, Moss Agate, Amber
- Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Carnelian, Kunzite, Larimar, Rhodocrosite.
- Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Peridot, Amazonite, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal
- Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Iolite, Opal, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot
- Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Topaz, Malachite, Charoite, Garnet, Obsidian
- Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Turquoise, Amethyst, Labradorite, Sugilite, Topaz, Garnet
- There are a few stones that are suitable for every Zodiac sign: Moldavite, Tourmaline, Clear Quartz and Herkimer Diamond.
