Varieties/Types:

• Apache Tears - Small rounded pebbles of black Obsidian found in American Southwest.
• Macusanite
• Mahogany Obsidian - A variety of Obsidian with black and red banding.
• Rainbow Obsidian - Obsidian with multicolored iridescence.
• Sheen Obsidian - A variety of obsidian exhibiting a golden sheen effect.
• Snowflake Obsidian - A variety of obsidian containing white "snowflake" crystal patterns of the mineral cristobalite.
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With its glassy luster, obsidian is a distinctive stone. Obsidian is formed as lava from volcanic eruptions cools within the earth. The speed at which it cools prevents crystallization and the rock forms as solid volcanic glass.

Although its most common color is black, obsidian can also be found in light brown, brown mottled with black, and black with a beautiful golden or silvery sheen. Snowflake obsidian is dotted with white patches where parts of the rock have begun to crystallize. The most prized obsidian by gemologists is the rainbow obsidian variety with purple, green and gold bands of sheen.

Obsidian was revered by ancient cultures. It was one of the major barter materials, and prized for its ability to be worked to razor-sharp edges for arrows and spears. It has been used since prehistoric times for making tools, masks, weapons, mirrors and jewelry.

Obsidian helps to protect the very sensitive against depression. It is the stone of the soft hearted and gentle people of the world. Use obsidian to help block negativity of any kind. As a black gemstone, it symbolizes self control and resilience. Black stones have protective energies in the sense that black is the absence of light, and therefore, can be used to create invisibility. [5]

Obsidian is essentially volcanic glass. It ranges in color from an opaque black, to green, brown, mahogany, black with rainbow colors, red/black, black with snowflake patterns, black with a golden sheen and a translucent black (Apache Tears). Obsidian is a powerful grounding stone that provides an instant connection from the Root Chakra deep into the core of the Earth. It is not to be used lightly, as Obsidian will unleash undesirable truths and negative energy very quickly to the surface; however, when used skillfully, Obsidian releases these negative patterns/past emotional traumas so that true soul healing can begin.

Obsidian protects the wearer from hostility, negativity, psychic ‘vampires’ and spiritual entities that do not belong. It offers release from tension and enables one to move forward in his/her life, with a more promising outlook./p>

Physically, Obsidian often points to the root cause of an illness. It clears the blockages that cause disease. Use Obsidian for detoxifying, alleviating bleeding, increasing blood circulation, and helping with the pain associated with arthritis and other joint discomfort. [4]