Mineraloid (Man-made)
Green Glass (often marketed as 'Obsidian' or 'Green Quartz')
Amorphous Silica (SiO2) with copper or chromium additives
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Transparent deep green, Luster: Vitreous, Crystal structure: Amorphous (this hexagonal shape is carved/polished), Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.4-2.8
- Hardness
- 5-5
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Transparent deep green, Luster: Vitreous, Crystal structure: Amorphous (this hexagonal shape is carved/polished), Cleavage: Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.4-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed through industrial melting of silica at high temperatures. While natural green obsidian exists (McDermitt caldera), it is extremely rare and usually semi-opaque; the high transparency and uniform color seen here indicate synthetic glass manufacturing.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in mass-produced fashion jewelry, craft projects, and spiritual kits. It is common as a cost-effective alternative to genuine emeralds or rare green minerals in costume jewelry.
Geological facts
Green 'volcanic' glass sold in this clear, emerald-green shade is almost universally man-made. Natural obsidian is usually black due to iron and magnesium; green obsidian is naturally very dark and lacks this level of neon transparency.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for air bubbles (visible under 10x magnification), lack of natural inclusions, and a temperature that feels warmer to the touch than natural quartz. It is commonly found in New Age shops and online bulk marketplaces.
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