What is obsidian? Types of obsidian, magical and healing properties

His first description is found in the Treatise on the Stones. It was written by Theophrastus, a naturalist from Dr. Greece, who lived in the IV century BC. E. So what is obsidian? Scientist did not give a name to the mineral, but described its properties in detail, and also related it to combustible materials - it is interesting that the stone bubbles and becomes hot on heating.

Obsidian also appears in the fire. Its other name is volcanic glass (volcanic, since it is a frozen lava, glass, since it has a reflective capacity, a characteristic luster). If you step on the broken mineral, the sensations will be about the same as when walking on simple fragments.

Education

We continue to find out what obsidian is. Scientists say that oxygen and molten magma are needed to produce it. Escaping from the volcano and on its slopes quickly draining, lava is enriched with gas, and then freezes. Thus, obsidian is born.

Place of Birth

So, what is obsidian? Being a volcanic mineral, it is concentrated in seismically active zones. Among them: Mexico, Ecuador, Japan. In the latter country, the main deposits on the island of Hokkaido are concentrated . Also obsidian are rich in Kenya, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand and Peru.

The most valuable samples are imported from the USA. There mining is conducted in Idaho, Arizona, California, Nevada and other states in the basin of the river. Mississippi. Interestingly, the charm of such volcanic American glass lies in its absolute transparency.

Various species of obsidian are mined in Russia. There is a volcanic glass in Kamchatka and in Karelia. On the peninsula, its deposits are concentrated directly on the Sredinny Ridge.

At this point in the western part of the mountains, the Itkovaemskaya deposit is being developed. Production is also being carried out near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at the Nachikinskoye field. The supplier of this mineral is also the North Caucasus. There are small deposits in the Trans-Baikal Territory and the Khabarovsk region.

Physical properties

Volcanic glass by chemical formula is silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ). Sometimes oxides of alkaline-earth and fir-tree metals are mixed with it. The mineral with them becomes brown, reddish, greenish. A huge rarity - a stone snow obsidian (the magical and healing properties of it will be given in the article further).

In it are crystals of crystal white or gray. As a result, the stone becomes spotty. Sometimes it has more milky tones than the basic dark shades. Hence the name snow obsidian.

Although the standard color of this breed is considered to be black. This is a characteristic feature of the main amount of these minerals. Moreover, black obsidian (a stone whose magical properties attracted people from time to time) can be with blue, red, emerald lines, striped.

They are visible only in the presence of a light source that is directed to the mineral, as well as a good polishing of the sample. And due to the property to be transformed in artificial and natural rays, this breed is also called iridescent.

Also obsidian differs in a conchoidal fracture. The ability to crack with the emergence of sharp edges was the reason for the practical use of the mineral. Today in museums there are tools from this glass, whose age is 9000 years.

Such adaptations are simple fragments of obsidian, only modified, pointed in addition to man. The ancestors of the breed "conjured" to cut skin, meat, and hide skins from animals.

The stone came in handy even for sharpening wooden copies. The hardness of this glass is about 6 points on the Mohs scale. This is enough to make rods.

Application

Residents of the Paleolithic shards of the breed did not become restricted. They were fastened directly to the hilt. Thus, the axes were obtained. Then the pieces of the mineral were used as tips for spears and arrows.

Then the thirst for beauty took over. Mankind has made a mirror. Snow obsidian was used to make the first samples. Such mirrors were found in Ethiopia and in North America.

Our ancestors made frozen figs and figurines from frozen lava. The adornment also went obsidian - stone, properties, to whom it fits, the methods of using which were described by the Egyptians. They believed that the mineral can preserve in itself aromatic oils, while much longer their properties will persist. Consequently, the vessels for the ethers were made of this glass.

Crafts, dishes, ornaments made from mineral are made now. Although in modern times the breed is also used in construction, for example, for swelling certain types of cement. Among the finishing materials, obsidian is also found.

Builders were able to make a liquid volcanic glass, which is applied to the floor, walls, and then freezes. This is very convenient, because there is no need to work with sealant joints, you can draw curvilinear surfaces.

Healing properties

In folk medicine of the East, the stone is connected with the sacral chakra, which is responsible for passion, sexual expression, and creative potential. But products from it (for example, a ring with obsidian) are always worn by lithotherapists, as this can damage the kidneys. Decorations with lava should be worn only for colds and other diseases that have arisen because of excessive hypothermia.

Recovery is accelerated by obsidian. Ayurveda advises the mineral also for gastrointestinal ailments. Physicians of India write out volcanic glass in cases of problems with pressure, as well as in case of malfunctioning of the heart.

Magical properties

We found out what obsidian is, but what are its unusual properties? He can "download" from the future information, passing it on to the person. Mages carry polished balls from this glass. With the help of spheres, sorcerers look to the future.

We can say that the generator of ideas is obsidian (stone). Properties, who is suitable and other information has always been interesting for humanity, today we are opening the veil of secrecy. Obsidian gives clarity of thought, awakens fantasy, an opportunity to consider the problem in a complex, and also to solve it as effectively as possible. Consequently, frozen lava is the talisman of scientists, businessmen and other people of the creative sphere and intellectual labor.

Amulets and Talismans

An excellent amulet is the stone in the rosary. It is recommended to men. It is worth noting that the power of the stronger sex obsidian is close. The stone protects men from evil deeds and sin. There is an opinion that if you place a piece of obsidian under the pillow during a day's sleep, you can get information from your forefathers.

Obsidian (stone): properties, the sign of the zodiac

Astrologers believe that the stone has the most beneficial effect on people who were born under the sign of Capricorn. They are most shown a stone, because obsidian can change them for the better by giving resoluteness. It is also a stone of the Lion and Sagittarius. These people will take the mineral under guardianship, being a protective amulet for diseases. In addition, ornaments from obsidian can be used by Scorpions, Gemini and Aquarius. But the Virgin and Cancer mineral is not suitable, because he turns them into irritable and vindictive individuals.

It is interesting

There is a legend of the Transcaucasus, which says that once Satan was so angry that small pieces of his nails flew to the surface of the earth along with lava. The local population has since called the stone "the nail of Satan."

And the American legend says that once the colonists attacked the Apache camp. Local warriors surrender to pale-faced invaders did not want, therefore, rushed to the muzzle of the volcano from the cliff. The remaining women mourned for their husbands for three nights, their tears after that turned into stunning black stones. The local population therefore calls obsidian only "tears of Apaches".

The cost of stone, care and difference from forgery

Purchase of obsidian must be carried out in specialized, trusted stores. To date, very often, a fake is issued for a natural stone, although it has a small price. For example, a pendant in silver with a cabochon, whose diameter is 3 cm, costs about $ 30, small minerals will cost $ 5.

Iridescent obsidian is more expensive, especially valuable specimens with interesting divorces, which in a cut form the heart. Their price reaches 500 y. E.

In order not to get into a mess when buying, because you can sell colored glass instead of obsidian, you need to know its distinctive features:

• An artificial substitute, if you take it in a fist, it will heat up quickly, a natural stone will keep the cold for a long time;
• The natural mineral has a distinct shine along with a rich matte shade;
• Lower the colonel into the water: if in a short period of time it becomes blurry or discolored, then most likely, you have an analog;
• The natural stone has always various inclusions, it is not homogeneous.

This mineral is fragile, therefore, it is important to take care of it carefully. It is necessary to remember:

• Do not leave the mineral for long in the sun or in the water;
• Store jewelry in a soft, separate case;
• Do not expose it to chemicals;
• Protect from temperature changes and strong impacts;
• Clean with cold water and a mild soap solution, then rinse and wipe with a cloth.