Large Black Obsidian Raw Stone
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass that forms when lava cools so rapidly that crystals don’t have enough time to grow.
Almost every surface of this piece is freshly fractured glass, with deep black faces that reflect light like a mirror.
People have prized black obsidian’s mirror-like surface for thousands of years. Highly polished stones believed to have been used as mirrors have been found at Neolithic sites in Turkey. They were also used by the Aztecs.
In Tudor England, John Dee, astrologer and adviser to Elizabeth I, is believed to have owned an Aztec obsidian mirror, which is now in the British Museum.
In strong light, fine streaks in obsidian can reveal flow lines, which preserve traces of the lava’s movement as it cooled.
Raw obsidian must be handled carefully. It's not suitable for children. It can fracture into exceptionally fine, sharp edges that cut skin with very little pressure. Because the cut can be so clean, you may not even feel it. This piece has very sharp edges!
The age of this piece could be anything from tens of thousands to several million years old, depending on the volcanic deposit it came from.
This impressive black obsidian stone stands upright in one position.
Mother of Pearl
