Raw Obsidian: The Power of Natural Beauty

A large, shiny black raw obsidian stone with smooth, curved surfaces on a light background.

Obsidian is considered to be one of the most interesting elements discovered in nature all over the world. The glass-like texture and its smooth shining black surface and its strange vitreous, very angular facets have made it a center of fascination since the earliest days of recorded history. However, raw obsidian which has not even undergone the preliminary processing is considered to be more exotic and charismatic than the fine-looking smooth product. In this blog post, we will be focusing more on raw obsidian, from its background, purpose, features, and importance.

What is Raw Obsidian?

Obsidian is a type of volcanic rock obtained from the rapid solidification of lava which has little or no time to crystallize. This however is embedded in a glass that is chiefly made from silica but may include some iron magnesium and other minerals which make it come in different colors and surface finishes. Raw obsidian is usually sharp and not very shiny and mostly ranges from very dark black to deep dark brown coloration; however, some type of obsidian may have green, red or rainbow reflections.

This view of raw obsidian is that it has not been refined or shaped in any manner to produce the polished product. Consequently, it remains crude and largely retains natural cleavage and an untidy shape. The smooth glassy looking reflective brilliance of the obsidian is found in raw form itself but the sheen may be less glossy or even matte, depending on the texture of the stone.

Key Characteristics of Raw Obsidian

Color:

Normally black and range from dark green to brown or even clear with silvery reflections depending on their mineral content.

Texture:

Neatly cleaved like glass when cracked, but the pure samples generally have sharp edges and uneven forms.

Hardness:

Obsidian is ranked between 5 and 5.5 hardiness level on Moh’s scale making it relatively a softer stone.

Transparency:

However, obsidian is mostly a non-transparent material, but in case of using an excellent quality material and cutting thin layers, through which light can pass, obsidian is translucent.

Fracture:

Raw obsidian showed high degrees of conchoidal fracture, where irregular shell-like curve occurred during the breaking of stone, which being absolutely suitable for developing edges.

Formation and Occurrence of Raw Obsidian

Obsidian is shaped from lava that congeals swiftly, and before crystallization is possible. And in some cases, the lava itself pops out on to the surface of the earth and when it comes in contact with water for instance in a river or lake: the lava cools almost immediately forming glass. That’s why obsidian can be classified as the glass rather than crystalline rock, because in this cooling process, the crystals do not have time to form.

Obsidian is typically found in areas with high volcanic activity, such as:

The Pacific Ring of Fire (e.g., Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Zealand)
Iceland
The western United States (e.g., the Great Basin, Oregon, and California)
Mexico (notably in the volcanic regions)

In these areas raw obsidian can be seen in volcanic rocks where the cooling process has produced fairly large quantities of large boulders to small fragments.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Raw Obsidian

Obsidian has been important in history starting from pre-historical and ancient calendars. Since the raw form of obsidian was glass like, people valued it for its work ability as tools and weapons were shaped out of it. Its edges are better and its flaking is not very difficult hence it could be used in developing tools with cutting characteristics.

Ancient Uses of Obsidian

Tools and Weapons:

The Neanderthals and Homo sapiens early people were using raw obsidian mainly in creation of cutting tools, scrapers, knives, and projectile points. The thin sharp edge of the obsidian flakes meant that they could thin animal skin for clothing or be used to hunt or kill animals. One of the reasons that bone had become popular in prehistoric tool kits is that it was capable of forming an extremely thin, and even sharper edge than steel when it was fractured.

Ritual and Symbolism:

Obsidian to many of the ancient cultures like the Aztecs and the Mayan was valued in rituals related to spirituality. Bloodletting knives or knives used for sacrificial purposes were obsidian knives and symbolized authority, fertility, and the earth and heavens realms.

Trade and Exchange:

One who was highly valued in the ancient trade system. It is significant, that regions with high percentage of volcanic activity – Mediterranean and Mesoamerican ones – used obsidian both for practical utilitarian purposes, and as a kind of a commodity for exchange. Indeed, obsidian transport networks have been traced; pointing to the reality that this material was transported over very long distances for the purpose of barter.

Healing and Mysticism:

In the present day, rough obsidian is more associated with New Age beliefs. For this reason, many people at one time or the other think that obsidian has the capacity to have protective attributes; they capture negative massages and even energies and have the potential of opening up the channel to spiritual healing. It is employed in many forms of other energy related works like the crystal therapy, specifically for purging as well as grounding the aura of a specific individual.

Modern Uses of Raw Obsidian

Although today its primary functions include the more artistic and ornamental, raw obsidian continues to be utilized in various capacities by a number of different industries. Here are a few contemporary applications:

Surgical Tools:

On some occasions, raw obsidian is employed to come up with surgical knives. The major advantage of using obsidian tools in surgeries due to their razor sharpness than stainless steel is that it is easy to make accurate incisions during surgeries.

Jewelry and Decorative Items:

The raw material can also be polished to high shine pieces of jewelries such as Neb, rings, earrings among others. They incorporating it in the making of artistic sculptures and other attractive products. Some artisans use raw obsidian that has not been divided into form due to its natural beauty, and the complex shapes assumed.

Arrowheads and Primitive Tools:

However, in some modern jewelry raw obsidian is still produced and used to imitate prehistoric tools and weapons, or in hunting native cultures it is used for obsidian arrowheads and knives sheer sharpness and historical value.

Collectibles:

To rock hunters and mineral enthusiasts, plain raw obsidian is a beautiful form of the gem. This led to its collection, its natural fractures make it very appealing to the eyes and it is formed via volcanic process.

How to Identify and Collect Raw Obsidian

It is worthwhile to note that identification is relatively straightforward, particularly when one contemplates the fact that raw obsidian is generally noted for: its glass-like finish and the uniformly smooth, and at times shiny, surface. However, it’s important to note a few distinguishing features to ensure you’re collecting authentic obsidian:

Surface Luster:

Unprocessed obsidian needs to be characterized by the metallic, lustrous shine on its surface.

Fracture:

Obsidian’s cleavage is very smooth and curved, that if it is fractured it has a conchoidal cracking pattern. This is one aspect that separates obsidian from other stones in the market today.

Color and Transparency:

However, obsidian is not strictly black, although this is the most widespread color, in fact, obsidian can also be green, brown or even transparent. Bubbles are there to tell about some types of obsidian like “snowflake obsidian” which is observed to contain a number of crystals, which are visible on the surface as whitish or grayish speckles.

If you plan on collecting raw obsidian, you have to note that there might stones be certain restrictions or even conservation laws to the collection natural materials in some places. Over time, many regions where there is volcanic activity will always have laid down policies on what is allowed to be taken from the ground.

How to Work with Raw Obsidian

However, raw obsidian is much more interesting material; this stone is rather fragile and can be dangerous if will be worked improperly. Here are some tips for working with raw obsidian:

Use Protective Gear:

Cautions when using obsidian are that when handling this material, particularly if you intend to split or chisel into it, then wear gloves and eye shields. Obsidian breaks in sharp pieces which can led to fatal injuries.

Cutting and Shaping:

Flint knapping preferably involves stones with conchoidal fractures and for those who want the raw obsidian, it is easily accessible. But using the flint requires certain expertise in its preparation because it is quite delicate and could easily be fashioned inappropriately.

Polishing:

Natural obsidian can be refined by using abrasive materials of reducing coarseness from a higher one. They have some common characteristics of ceramics and hence may need special attention while polishing them to prevent them from cracking.

Conclusion

Obsidian in its original form is a fascinating material, visually and culturally. As both a tool for early man and a material used in current jewelry and other New Age items obsidian is still an incredible material that captures the imagination. Raw obsidian is one of the most visually appealing and fascinating specimen collectors, art craftsmen, lovers of natural interests and phenomena can desire, given the ability of this incredible material to give enthusiasts a glimpse into the power of the earth and the centuries-long attempts to take advantage of it.

If you learn how it is formed, its history, and general uses then you can truly value raw obsidian for what it is. From being used in producing tools, to healing properties and or dubbing as a gem from the Earth’s geological volcanic creation, natural obsidian maintains its significant and importance in the material world and beyond.

FAQs about Raw Obsidian

Q1. What is raw obsidian used for?

Obsidian makes remarkably efficient knives and obsidian is a type of glass knife in which naturally occurring obsidian has been substituted for manufactured glass. Obsidian is used with certain surgeons for scalpel blades, but it is not a regulated tool by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cutting human skin.

Q2. What is obsidian used for?

The most important application of obsidian in prehistoric period was for making of tools blades and arrowheads. If properly made the obsidian blades are sharp enough and can be compared to that of surgical steel scalpels. Currently, obsidian is utilized as a gem or an ornamental stone. Obsidian is never any other color, the only kind of obsidian that exists is black (Black Obsidian).

Q3. Is obsidian worth money?

Turned into pendants, beads and other trinkets, this kind of obsidian enables people have a small sculpture of natural beauty at their disposal. Here, it is clear that rainbow obsidian is scarce and so expensive in the market, which makes it a popular gemstone among collectors.

Q4. How do you identify raw obsidian?

It is made of the same minerals as granite and forms a solid which cools rather rapidly and the minerals do not get the chance to crystallize. The obsidian has a vitreous luster and is almost always black or very dark green but it can also look as if it were almost colorless.