Obsidian: History, Origin, Composition, Virtues, Significance and Recharging of the stone

Obsidian is a black stone from the Silicate family. The stone is known for its vitreous black to golden or even green color and its beneficial properties in the world of lithotherapy. Obsidian is widely worn in the jewelry world for its popular, unisex black color.

History of Obsidian

The name Obsidian stone comes from the Latin "obsidianus", derived from the name of Obsidius, a Roman who is said to have first discovered the stone in Ethiopia.

Obsidian stone, sharper than glass, has been used to make tools and weapons since prehistoric times. Later, artifacts made of Obsidian were found in Mesopotamia, Egypt and South America. In Mesopotamia, people used obsidian to make sharp weapons.

In some civilizations, the stone was a symbol of death, as in Egypt, where it was used to incise corpses during embalming rituals. Obsidian was very important to Latin-Americans, whether for the manufacture of tools, weapons or decorative objects. It was also used medicinally to heal wounds and combat various viruses and/or bacteria. The Aztecs combined stone with magic, using it to make mirrors capable of reading the future.

Obsidian origin and composition

The natural stone Obsidian belongs to the Silicate family, but more specifically to the Vitrophirite family. Obsidian is usually associated with Rhyolites, which are very similar, but they are differentiated by the appearance of the crystals visible on glassy stones (Rhyolites) and not on Obsidian. The stone is mainly composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2), with a density ranging from 2.3 to 2.6.

Obsidian is formed in volcanic zones rich in silica, which, once the lava has cooled, prevents crystallization and solidifies the stone, giving it a vitreous appearance. Obsidian comes in a variety of colors:

• Black Obsidian, the most common worldwide, mainly composed of magnetite and hematite,
• Rainbow Obsidian, its colors are due to the minerals cristobalite, andalusite, fayalite and hedenbergite, mixed together and refracted by light, which give the stone its multicolored appearance,
• Snowflake Obsidian, with white or gray feldspar crystals mixed in to give a snowflake appearance,
• Mahogany Obsidian, contains mostly iron-rich impurities (magnetite, hematite, limonite) that give the stone its red to dark-brown color,
• Golden Obsidian, with many inclusions of magnetite crystals that reflect light to give its golden color.

Obsidian's origin

Obsidian stone is found mainly in volcanic zones, with the main deposits in Mexico, the United States, Italy, Iceland and Japan. But Obsidian is still very abundant and can be found all over the world. Obsidian's hardness is between 5 and 5.5 on the Mohs scale.

Obsidian's virtues and significance

Obsidian is a stone of harmony and introspection.

Obsidian in lithotherapy

On a physical level, Obsidian is considered a protective stone. It soothes muscular aches and pains, as well as digestive problems such as stomach aches. The stone is said to improve blood circulation and speed healing of wounds, injuries and inflammation.

Psychologically, Obsidian protects against bad vibes and helps calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety. It also boosts self-confidence and self-esteem, and helps overcome fears and emotional blockages. The stone sharpens visions and dispels fog and illusions.

Please note that lithotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment or expertise.

Significance of Obsidian

Obsidian is a symbol of lucidity.

Obsidian is associated with the root chakras to bring greater stability, security and physical awareness. It is also linked to the 3rd eye chakra to accentuate intuition and improve mental clarity and spirit. As for other Obsidian varieties :

• Rainbow obsidian: heart chakra (love and harmony) and crown chakra (spirituality)
• Snowflake obsidian: root chakra (stability and security)
• Mahogany obsidian: root chakra (stability and security)
• Golden obsidian: solar plexus chakra (self-confidence, willpower) and root chakra (stability and security)

Obsidian stone is closely linked to the astrological signs Scorpio and Sagittarius. It is also associated with the birth month of November.

Obsidian care, purification and recharging

To take good care of your Obsidian stone, we recommend a few methods of cleaning and purifying it:

Obsidian cleaning and purification

• Water: rinse with room-temperature water to thoroughly clean and gently dry the stone,
• Fumigation: Coat the stone in the smoke of sage and/or other purifying herbs for a few minutes to purify it,
• Earth: Bury the stone (in a cloth bag) for a few hours to one night in the earth to purify it thoroughly.

Recharging the Obsidian

Finally, to recharge the stone we recommend :

• Lunar/solar light: place under the sun or moon for a few hours,
• Quartz cluster: Place a quartz cluster next to the stone.

It's always important to be careful with certain varieties of Obsidian, as some are more porous than others and therefore more fragile. So remember to handle your stones with care!