Black Obsidian Tumbled Gemstone

Obsidian is actually a type of glass and is literally lava that cooled from its molten form so quickly, there was not time for any crystals to form. The actual composition of the rock is dependent on what minerals, gases, and such were in the immediate area when the lava cooled.

Since ancient times, obsidian has been used in making various tools. In times past, arrowhead, knives, and saws for cutting animals were made from it. Today, some of the best scalpels in the world or made from it because of how thinly and smoothly the blade can be sharpened.

Most people are familiar with the regular black obsidian. There are several other types including: Apache Tear, Blue, Blue/Green, Gold Sheen, Mahogany, Rainbow, Red, Silver Sheen and Snowflake.

Obsidian can be found almost anywhere where there has been volcanic activity in the past, but not all the sources are currently being mined. Most mining is done in Armenia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Java, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland and Turkey. In the United States, the most common places where it is mined includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

Originally used for arrowheads and knives by the native peoples, obsidian is a very strong gem stone of protection. Worn by ancient warriors to ensure both protection in battle and that they maintain their high standards of honor by being honest, sincere and truthful. Obsidian can help you connect to the ancient warrior within you and reclaim forgotten abilities you learned in past lives.

Mayan Priests used scrying mirrors made of obsidian for foretelling the future. They called the mirrors, "smoking mirrors", but what they were referring to is the same as what we call a scrying mirror. Today's scrying mirrors are unusual clear glass with a black background on them. Much like the ancient version, the seer would gaze into the mirror and see signs and portent's of what is to come.

As a healing stone, obsidian can help relieve pain. If no one is around to perform a healing ritual on you, try wrapping the affected area with a bandage and placing a rock under the bandage so that it is touching the skin.

If you find yourself with thoughts that are running wild or you are having a hard time concentrating on any single subject, try meditating while holding on to one or more obsidian rocks. It's grounding properties can send all those excess energies into the earth where they can be transmuted into more positive energies.

Carrying and wearing an obsidian gemstone can be highly protective, keeping negative energies of all types away from you. Much like the excess energy mediating with an obsidian is dealt with, when used as a protective stone, it prevents negative energies from reaching you, diverting them into the earth to be dealt with.

The reflective qualities of this natural glass beauty can help you to look deep within yourself and find the negative qualities of your personality that needs to be worked on. It not only teaches you to see where the problem is at, but guides you to removing the problem from your makeup.

If those living within your home have a tendency to argue too much or anytime the air at your home or work tends to feel charged with negative energy, bring an obsidian into the environment and allow it to absorb the energies, sending them to be transmuted into positive energy.

Any piece of obsidian that has at least one side of it polished makes an excellent divination tool. Similar to a hand held scrying mirror, looking within the depths of rock unlocks universal information and brings it to your minds eye to be seen and interpreted.

This is not a crystal healing stone just anyone should wear. It is too forceful in showing you the reality of life and only those of strong spirit can deal with it unless the reality is softened by combining Obsidian with Rose Quartz, Aventurine or Chrysocolla. Or instead of using the black form of Obsidian, try using the Snowflake Form which has the same properties but with a light, easy to digest touch.

The above properties are known to exist for all forms of obsidian, however black obsidian has specific properties listed below.

Black obsidian which is not always solid black but often has gray or brown within it, or can be completely gray or brown, is a diviner's stone. Looking within it's depths can open the doors to knowledge and information for the source. It also helps to give you the "get up and go" to accomplish your dreams and make your desires a reality.

Size (mm): 25 - 32mm (width, thickness, shape and color does vary and is not necessarily the same as the crystal shown in the picture).

Weight (g): 9 - 21g