Snowflake Obsidian
Meaning and Properties
History
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed in swiftly cooling lava that has a high silica content. It is not considered a true mineral, as it does not have an entirely consistent chemical content and it does not form crystals. Obsidian gets its English name from a mistranslation of Natural History by Pliny the Elder (the guy who died at Pompeii):
"Among the various kinds of glass, we may also reckon Obsian glass, a substance very similar to the stone which Obsius [mistranslated as Obsidius] discovered in Æthiopia. This stone is of a very dark color, and sometimes transparent ... Many persons use it for jewelery, and I myself have seen solid statues in this material of the late Emperor Augustus .... Xenocrates says that Obsian stone is found in India also, and in Samnium in Italy; and that it is a natural product of Spain, upon the coasts which border on the Ocean."
Color in obsidian varies, depending on impurities in the parent lava formation. Snowflake obsidian (also called "flowering obsidian") gets its name and patterns from cristobalite (a type of quartz) inclusions formed in the obsidian as it devitrifies.
The chemical make-up of obsidian also varies among volcanic sources--sometimes even different eruptions of the same volcano have different chemical types. This makes historical obsidian jewelry, tools or weapons a valuable resource to archaeologists for tracking trade routes or dating graves and settlements, as their source volcano and eruption can often be determined through analysis.
Metaphysical Properties
Practitioners believe snowflake obsidian lets them see the dark and uncomfortable sides of their own natures, bringing them back into wholeness. A patterned stone, it is thought to help wearers see patterns in their own thoughts and behaviors. It's also believed that this material dissolves shocks, fears and traumas, dissolving both physical and emotional pains. Like a sky full of beautiful snowflakes, snowflake obsidian restores something: a deep, abiding sense of protection and reverence.
Snowflake obsidian is affiliated with the base and crown chakras. It is thought to drive out demons and to embody both yin and yang principles. Although not a birthstone, it is affiliated with the zodiac sign Capricorn.
Geological Properties
This naturally occurring volcanic glass is formed when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools without crystal growth. This glass form later transmutes into a rock, with sunburst-shaped spherlite inclusions forming in the stone.
Snowflake obsidian is found all over the world including deposits in Italy, Scotland, the United States and other locations around the world with historic volcanic eruptions.
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Proper Care of Snowflake Obsidian
This durable stone is easy to care for: just wash gently in warm, soapy water.
To learn more about snowflake obsidian and other gemstones, order your copy of Walter Schumann's revised and expanded edition of Gemstones of the World.
Designing with Snowflake Obsidian
While snowflake obsidian is a striking gemstone, it is also a durable one--making it popular for use as a "worry stone" as well as in jewelry-making. For unusually beautiful jewelry with sophisticated flair, combine snowflake obsidian beads with black matte Delica and rock crystal beads (or any other pairings of black and white). Snowflake obsidian is a popular and attractive stone for men's jewelry and unisex styles, with the bold neutrals given added punch with red jasper, rhodochrosite and red or pink coral.
Shop for Snowflake Obsidian
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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