igneous
Snowflake Obsidian
Hydrated Volcanic Glass (primarily SiO2) with Cristobalite inclusions
Hardness: 5-5.5; Color: Black with grayish-white radial patterns; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Structure: Amorphous (glass) with spherulitic inclusions; Fracture: Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Color
- Black with grayish-white radial patterns
- Luster
- Vitreous/Glassy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5; Color: Black with grayish-white radial patterns; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Structure: Amorphous (glass) with spherulitic inclusions; Fracture: Conchoidal
Formation & geological history
Formed when felsic lava cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth, with 'snowflakes' created through devitrification over time as Cristobalite crystals form in the glass
Uses & applications
Primarily used for decorative purposes, jewelry (cabochons, beads), and in holistic practices as a 'grounding' stone
Geological facts
The white patches are actually radiating clusters of the mineral cristobalite, a high-temperature polymorph of silica. Unlike true crystals, obsidian is a cooled liquid and is technically a mineraloid.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its sharp glass-like fracture and distinctive white-on-black floral patterns; commonly found in areas of recent volcanic activity like Utah, USA, and Mexico
