igneous
Obsidian (Polished Point/Wand)
Volcanic Glass (SiO2 with impurities)
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Jet black to dark translucent brown/gray. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline glass). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Color
- Jet black to dark translucent brown/gray
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
Identified More igneous →
Explore Obsidian (Polished Point/Wand) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Jet black to dark translucent brown/gray. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline glass). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed when extrusive felsic lava cools very rapidly with minimal crystal growth. Found in volcanic regions with high-silica lava flows.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, holistic crystal healing practices, wire-wrapped pendants, and historically for sharp blades and arrowheads.
Geological facts
Because obsidian lacks a crystal structure, its edges can be ground extremely thin, down to a single-molecule thickness, making it sharper than high-quality surgical steel scalpels.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its rich glassy luster, dark color, smooth texture, and sharp conchoidal fracturing when broken. Commonly found in volcanic areas such as the western United States, Mexico, and Iceland.
