Obsidian: properties of stone and its varieties

What is Obsidian: the origins

Obsidian is a natural, volcanic glass, composed of 75% of silicon dioxide and is mainly black in color. It is believed that the term Obsidian derives from the adjective obsiana, which in turn derives from Obsius, a Roman explorer who found some black stones in Ethiopia and called them "lapis obsidianus".

After a volcanic eruption, when the lava cools, a hard but fragile material with sharp edges is generated. Thanks to this peculiarity it was used since ancient times for knives, spears and arrows. In fact, obsidian has a very ancient history: the first use as a cutting tool dates back to about 700,000 years ago. It is still used today for the blades of some scalpels in operating theaters.

Properties of Obsidian: benefits mind and body

Obsidian is a powerful talisman, also known as a shamanic stone, it has always been used as a stone of protection to eliminate negative energies. In crystal therapy it is a stone of self-knowledge, it gives mental clarity, brings the most hidden emotions and thoughts to the surface, infuses the energy needed to overcome traumas and fears. Obsidian is associated with the first chakra, the root chakra. It is also a stone that reduces stress, stimulates blood circulation and relieves muscle tension and pain.

Variety of Obsidian

How many types of obsidian are there?

The best known is the Black Obsidian, which has the characteristic opaque black color. It is the "stone of change", it acts as a bridge between the emotions and the mind. It is an immediate mirror in which we can look and meet our Ego. Indicated to be able to discover the dark sides of one's personality in order to accept and sublimate them; useful in case of trauma and blockages, as it is able to infuse the energy needed to overcome them.

All black with patches of gray reminiscent of snow is the Snowflake Obsidian, "stone of centering and change" useful to extremely emotional and unstable people because it helps them to root their energies, allowing them to build the basis for their future. . It gives inner clarity, balance and harmony and helps to release repressed emotions, inducing people who have excessive self-control to unblock censorship and to act in harmony with their feelings.

Black with silver hues is the silver Obsidian that generates protective energies and a shield against negativity, dispersing unpleasant thoughts. It gives joy, serenity and gratification both on a physical and mental level.

The golden Obsidian, on the other hand, is the stone with a yellow-gold shade. In the therapeutic field, it is indicated for balancing the energy fields. On the psychological level, gold obsidian eliminates the sense of futility and conflicts with one's ego and thus frees itself from selfish implications, allowing one to move towards spiritual knowledge.

The black stone with circles of different colors inside is the rainbow Obsidian, the most valuable: it helps to release repressed emotions, moves stagnant and negative energies and disperses them. It gives clarity and lucidity and is considered the stone of pleasure, because it gives joy and gratification. It is a valuable aid for those who need to carefully analyze their love relationship.

With reddish patches due to the presence of iron it is the mahogany Obsidian that stimulates and coordinates physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual development, provides us with the vitality and strength needed in times of need.It helps very emotional people to be more rational and to do not waste their energies.

Finally, black with white streaks or spots, the Apache Tear, a powerful amulet against suffering. The properties are those of black Obsidian. Legend has it that all the tears that Apache women shed for their warriors who died in battle turned into drops of Obsidian. Anyone who owns one will no longer cry, as an Indian woman has already shed tears in her place.

Recommended products

On our website store.didoni.com you can find various obsidian items: pocket stones, rough stones, runes, arrows, beauty accessories and objects such as spheres and boxes.