Purple Obsidian
Volcanic glass (SiO2-rich); natural or manufactured
Purple-colored volcanic glass; genuine natural purple obsidian is rare, with much purple obsidian being manufactured colored glass.
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Color
- Translucent purple to violet
- Type
- crystal
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Overview
Purple obsidian is obsidian (volcanic glass) showing a purple to violet color. As with blue and green varieties, naturally purple obsidian is rare, and a large share of the brightly colored purple "obsidian" in the market is manufactured or dyed glass.
Where natural, faint purple or violet tones in obsidian come from trace elements and microscopic inclusions combined with light scattering, and tend to be muted and somewhat smoky rather than vivid and transparent.
Very saturated, perfectly even purple is a strong indicator of a man-made product, so buyers seeking natural material should verify provenance carefully.
Formation & geology
Genuinely natural purple obsidian forms like all obsidian, by the rapid chilling of silica-rich lava into glass. Subtle violet or purplish tones can result from trace elements (such as iron and manganese) and fine inclusions that influence how light is scattered and absorbed.
Natural purple obsidian is reported only from a few localities and is generally subdued in color. Some specimens combine purple zones with gray, brown, or black.
Most intensely purple "obsidian" sold commercially is slag glass or laboratory glass colored with manganese or other additives — products of industrial glassmaking rather than volcanic activity, despite being marketed as obsidian.
How to identify it
Be cautious of bright, transparent, uniformly purple stones — natural obsidian is normally dark and only faintly colored. Real obsidian shows conchoidal fracture, vitreous luster, hardness 5-5.5, and often natural flow lines, bubbles, or crystallites.
Manufactured purple glass is usually very clear and even, may display molding swirls or perfectly round bubbles, and lacks natural inclusions.
Look-alikes and imitations: manganese-colored glass, dyed stones, amethyst (which is crystalline quartz with hexagonal crystals and hardness 7), and fluorite can all be confused with it. Gemological testing or a trusted source is the best way to confirm whether a piece is natural obsidian.
Uses & significance
Purple obsidian, natural or man-made, is used for beads, pendants, spheres, tumbled stones, and ornamental carvings, valued for its appealing violet color and glassy polish.
Manufactured purple glass is inexpensive and common in the craft and crystal trade, while authentic natural purple obsidian is scarce and largely a collector's item.
In metaphysical lore purple obsidian is linked to intuition, spirituality, and the crown chakra, though such associations are spiritual rather than scientific. Shoppers wanting a natural stone should ask whether a piece is natural volcanic glass or manufactured before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
Is purple obsidian natural?
Genuine natural purple obsidian is rare; much vivid purple obsidian sold is manufactured or dyed glass rather than natural volcanic rock.
What gives purple obsidian its color?
Faint natural purple can come from trace elements and inclusions, while bright purple is usually from manganese or other added colorants in glass.
How is purple obsidian different from amethyst?
Amethyst is crystalline quartz with visible hexagonal crystals and hardness 7, while obsidian is glass with conchoidal fracture and hardness about 5.5.
How can I tell natural purple obsidian from fake?
Natural obsidian is usually dark and subtly tinted with natural inclusions, while man-made glass is flawlessly clear with swirls or perfect bubbles.
Purple Obsidian guides
In-depth guides for identifying, valuing, and understanding Purple Obsidian.
