Emerald Green Obsidian
Silica glass (~70-75% SiO2), colored variety
A bright emerald-green glass sold as obsidian; saturated transparent green is manufactured, while rare natural green obsidian is only faintly tinted.
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Color
- Bright emerald to deep green, translucent
- Type
- igneous
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Overview
Emerald Green Obsidian is a vivid green glass within the colored-obsidian trade. Genuine green obsidian does exist but is rare and only weakly tinted by iron and other trace elements; a bright, transparent emerald green is not natural.
Most material sold under this name is manufactured glass colored with chromium, copper, or iron compounds. It is sometimes called obsidianite or art glass, and may be confused with old bottle glass.
It is an inexpensive ornamental product valued for its color.
Formation & geology
Natural obsidian forms by rapid solidification of high-silica lava into glass; faint green tints can arise from dissolved iron and magnesium, producing subtle, smoky greens.
The bright emerald material is manufactured by adding chromium or copper colorants to a silica melt, then cooling it to glass. The intense, clear green and any gas bubbles indicate furnace production rather than a volcanic origin.
How to identify it
Color: Bright to deep emerald green, usually translucent.
Luster: Vitreous; conchoidal fracture.
Hardness: ~5-6.
Streak: White.
Look-alikes: Natural green stones like aventurine, prehnite, and chrysoprase are stony and opaque to cloudy. Moldavite (a natural tektite glass) is muted bottle-green with etched surfaces. Emerald obsidian is uniformly colored glass with bubbles and swirls, distinguishing it from both.
Uses & significance
Emerald Green Obsidian is used for tumbles, beads, spheres, and pendants in inexpensive jewelry and crystal collections. Its bright color makes it a popular decorative material.
Metaphysical sellers associate it with the heart, abundance, and healing, claims rooted in folklore. As manufactured glass it has decorative value only.
Collectors seeking authentic natural glass should consider true (faintly colored) green obsidian or genuine moldavite, being mindful that bright emerald hues are engineered.
Frequently asked questions
Does natural green obsidian exist?
Yes, but it is rare and only faintly tinted. Bright emerald green is manufactured glass.
Is emerald green obsidian a real gemstone?
No, it is colored glass with no gemstone value.
Could it be moldavite?
No. Moldavite is a natural tektite with a muted bottle-green color and etched surface texture.
How do I spot the glass?
Look for gas bubbles, swirl banding, and uniform bright color under magnification.
Emerald Green Obsidian guides
In-depth guides for identifying, valuing, and understanding Emerald Green Obsidian.
